Majid Al Futtaim launches Sharjah's City Centre Al Zahia

UAE conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim opened its 28th mall in the region, the Dhs2.6bn City Centre Al Zahia in Sharjah, to visitors on Tuesday.

City Centre Al Zahia includes 136,200 square metres of gross leasable space, and is the largest mall in the Northern Emirates. It will provide a mix of more than 360 brands, and was initially intended to open in March 2020 but was delayed due to the pandemic.

“The only new super-regional mall to be launched in the Middle East and North Africa in the wake of Covid-19, City Centre Al Zahia is a testament to the resolve, commitment and optimistic spirit of Sharjah and the wider Northern Emirates,” said Shireen El Khatib, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim – Shopping Malls.

The mall has partnered with the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, with students from both institutions and faculty members offering lectures and workshops on architecture, photography, filmmaking and art.

These classes and seminars will be held in mall’s art centre, The Studio, where award-winning projects and workshops will be held all year round.

“Sharjah is home to over 18-plus museums and hosts an inspiring range of illustrious events and gatherings — including the Sharjah Biennial, the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Sharjah Architecture Triennial. With the arts being so vital to life and culture in the Emirate, it is only fitting that City Centre Al Zahia reflects this vision, becoming a focal point and pillar of the community, while offering people a platform to entertain and educate themselves in equal measure,” said Fuad Sharaf, managing director, UAE Shopping Malls, Majid Al Futtaim Properties.

The one-million-square-metre residential community Al Zahia is within walking distance of the mall. The wider Al Zahia development is a strategic partnership between Majid Al Futtaim Properties and Sharjah Asset Management. Upon completion by 2023, it will host a total of 3,700 homes, a clubhouse with multiple amenities, and six themed parks.

The new mall includes professional and educational workspaces, as well as a grand plaza offering access to kids’ play areas, and an art zone.

VOX Cinemas will also operate a state-of-the-art 16-screen multiplex in the mall, which will be the largest cinema in Sharjah. The opening marks the second VOX Cinemas in Sharjah, following the launch of VOX Cinemas City Centre Sharjah in 2018.

For children, there will be a Magic Planet play area spanning two floors with an integrated F&B zone.

Apart from a Carrefour Hypermarket to meet the grocery needs of nearby communities, the mall will house brands including Steve Madden, Centrepoint and Damas.

The mall will bring brands that weren’t previously retailing within Sharjah including Crate and Barrel, Lululemon and Lego.

As an introductory offer, the brand has rolled out an offer that permits customers who spend a minimum of Dhs200 in the mall to enter the draw and compete for a prize of 5,000 SHARE points daily.