Dubai Festival City doubles presence at MAPIC in Cannes

After attending last year as delegates Dubai Festival City will again be exhibiting at this year's show and will take a six-strong team to debut layouts for Dubai Festival City's 1.9 million square feet retail destination - Festival Centre. Dubai Festival City is also doubling its exhibition stand size to 48 square meters, due to the heightened interest shown last year.

In 2002, Dubai Festival City used MAPIC for its international masterplan launch and at this year's event, the iconic development will unveil a new artist's rendering showing all the project communities.

"MAPIC was the perfect arena to launch the Dubai Festival City masterplan in 2002, as the main driver for the development is its retail component," said Phil McArthur, Director Leasing and Marketing, Dubai Festival City.

"In 2003, we took the opportunity to renew discussions with numerous international brands we had started at MAPIC the previous year to keep them updated on progress. This year, we have floor-plans for the major elements of Festival Centre to share with MAPIC visitors and exhibitors and will be looking to finalise negotiations with prospective tenants."

Festival Centre, Dubai Festival City's retail, hospitality and entertainment destination is the focal point of the development. Offering an unmatched waterfront setting, it will provide world-class entertainment and hospitality facilities; exclusive residential and office accommodation; and an extensive array of local and international retail brands.

This vibrant destination, and the 'jewel in the crown' of Dubai Festival City, will house over 450 shops and services and more than 100 restaurants and cafes featuring some of the best brands from around the globe. The Festival Centre, with 1.9 million square feet in retail GLA and over 10,000 parking spaces, is at the forefront of Dubai's super-retail projects. The Festival Centre's point of difference is its unique fusion of retail, entertainment, hospitality and leisure elements in a masterplanned centre.

"Already, the substructure framework construction is rising from the ground and the first phase, which will house retail outlets offering household and convenience goods, including the UAE's flagship IKEA store, is set for completion towards the end of 2005," said McArthur. "The second phase of Festival Centre development, a 1.2 million square foot waterfront retail, entertainment and hospitality centre will open in September 2006."

The Festival Centre will also link to the InterContinental Dubai Festival City - a 450 luxury room hotel comprising 80 executive apartments and 370 hotel rooms which will be ready for guests early 2007.

"Next year marks the beginning of the operation life for a number of Dubai Festival City facilities including retail, hospitality, dining, golf and leisure elements," added McArthur. "Dubai is establishing an international reputation for its dynamic progression, and developments like Dubai Festival City can only enhance its standing on the global stage."