The Avenues, a first-of-its-kind commercial and entertainment mall in Bahrain with a unique 1.5-km waterfront location in the heart of the capital Manama, was opened last month by Sorouh Al Bahrain, the project owner.

Bahrain’s latest shopping destination was inaugurated by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, in the presence of Sorouh Al Bahrain chairman Mohammed Al Shaya and other senior government officials.

Designed in a similar theme to The Avenues in Kuwait (see Page 54), the project’s architectural plan gives visitors an outdoor feeling whilst remaining indoors. The ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) roof of the mall allows sunlight to pass through but keeps the heat out, giving a sense of outdoor shopping. It is also designed in an innovative recreational style that allows the public access to the seafront.

The first phase of the project, which including the “Grand Avenue” and the “Harbour” boasts 130 retail stores, and a leasing space of around 40,000 sq m, half of which is devoted to restaurants and cafes, all of them overlooking Bahrain Bay. Work on Phase One was completed at an investment of of BD60 million ($158 million) within two years.

Work on Phase Two of the project is expected to start within the next few months and is likely to be completed in 2020. In this phase, the west side of the project will be developed and will include an additional leasing space of 30,000 sq m comprising suq-style outlets. The scope of work on this phase also involves construction of the 210-room Hilton Bahrain Bay Hotel and Residences and residences with direct access to the mall.