Reem Mall ... 450 stores and F&B outlets over 2.9 million sq ft.

The Reem Mall consortium has signed up Itinera Ghantoot as lead contractor for its $1.2-billion shopping, leisure and entertainment project coming up in the capital Abu Dhabi.

Itinera Ghantoot is a joint venture between top Italian construction company Itinera and big UAE builder Ghantoot, which has extensive experience in Abu Dhabi and the emirates. The group backing Reem Mall project had earlier announced that it had signed a $457-million senior credit facility to complete financing on the project, a mega-mall of 450 stores and food and beverage outlets spread over 2.9 million sq ft in the Najmat District of Reem Island.

The project is being developed by Al Farwaniya Property Developments, a partnership between three Kuwait-based companies: top logistics major Agility, its affiliate United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC) and National Real Estate Company (NREC).

The mall will also offer education attractions and family-focused entertainment such as Snow Park Abu Dhabi.

The Reem Mall contract follows Itinera’s success with Il Centro mall in Arese, Italy, one of Europe’s 10 largest shopping centres. Il Centro received the Mapic Award for the Best Shopping Mall in the World in 2016.