“Finishing touches” are being made to upcoming mega-mall Doha Festival City (DFC), which is now planning an April 5 launch.

The QR6.5 billion mall, located off of Al Shamal Road next to IKEA, is expected to have around 400 stores.

They include the world’s largest Monoprix, an 18-screen 4D VOX cinema and an Angry Birds theme park.

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Food offerings include Qatar’s first Five Guys, the country’s second Cheesecake Factory and the return of Dean & Deluca, which shut down in Villaggio Mall a few years ago.

The opening comes months after another mega-shopping center in Qatar welcomed visitors.

The QR5.4 billion Mall of Qatar in Al Rayyan launched in December, and has attracted thousands of shoppers with stores like Pottery Barn and Lefties, and entertainment such as a 19-screen Novo Cinemas.

The retail arena is only heating up from here on out, with at least eight other malls planning to open in Qatar within the next few years.

Delays

DFC has postponed its opening date several times in recent months. It was originally due to open last fall, but this was postponed until February, then March, and now April.

Officials have previously cited “supporting infrastructure” works as one reason for the delays.

So the opening of the Al Kharaitiyat Interchange on Al Shamal Road this month should assist with the problem, as the junction now makes it easier to get to DFC from Doha.

Earlier this week, DFC also announced the installation of its first art piece, David Harber’s “Sculpted Torus.”

Located in the mall’s Center Court, the 4m-wide, stainless steel piece is one of five variations of the statue that will be installed across the complex.

Meanwhile, a five-star hotel and convention center is slated to break ground this year and be completed by 2017, DFC said in a statement.

Who’s excited for the opening? Thoughts?