Kuwait’s iconic 360 Mall  has kicked off a major expansion that includes a new state-of-the-art tennis complex which will put the country firmly on the world’s professional tennis map.

The mall is being expanded at a cost of KD100 million ($) and is expected to open its doors by 2019. The extension will increase footfall by at least 30 per cent to more than 18 million visitors.

In addition to the Sheikh Jaber Al Abdullah Al Jaber Al Sabah International tennis complex, the extension will feature a signature five-star hotel, additional shopping with several new-to-the-market retail brands, sports, entertainment, restaurants, a ballroom and a health club.

The mall is owned by a subsidiary of Tamdeen Shopping Centers Company, part of the Tamdeen Holding Group of Companies.

The tennis complex will have a combined stadium seating for over 7,600 people across two main arenas, each with the capacity to hold 4,000 and 1,600 people respectively, eight indoor courts with over 500 seats and eight outdoor courts with 1,500 seats.  In order to enhance the “event experience”, spectators will have direct access to the tennis arena from 360 Mall, a 2,000-car multi-storey parking and from the Sixth Ring Road. There would be a seamless relationship between the mall, the tennis facility and the hotel.