Ezdan Mall in Gharafa will partially open on Monday, April 15, Ezdan Holding has said. The public is welcome at noon.  

In a statement, Malik Q Awan, the mall’s general manager, said:

The first shops to be opened in the Mall include Tommy Hilfiger, Tally Weijl, Aeropostale, la Vie en Rose, Charles & Keith, Gant, Aldo and Nautica. More than 35% of the shops will be ready to open in April, as we are expecting to have at least 85% of the mall operational by the end of May 2013.

Ezdan Mall, located across the road from Landmark Mall, was originally slated to open in September. But Awan previously told Doha News that progress was pushed back several months after last year’s fatal fire at Villaggio mall.

Safety

To better prepare for emergencies, Awan said Ezdan retooled its original plans by adding several emergency exits, installing glass panes in the ceiling to improve lighting even if the electricity shuts off, and has said it will train stores’ sales representatives and janitors in evacuation procedures. 

In terms of offerings, Ezdan will have a 6,000-square-foot WH Smith bookshop and Tim Hortons, as well as several dozen new outlets that will be open in Qatar for the first time. 

Speaking to the Peninsula on the sidelines of the company’s annual meeting, Ezdan Holding CEO Ali Al Obaidli said that two other malls, in Wakra and Wukair, are slated to open in early 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Also yesterday, Ezdan announced plans to build 10 new residential complexes containing some 5,000 residential units, mostly in Wakra, catering to those with limited incomes. 

The news comes amid a crunch of affordable housing in Qatar.

Thoughts?

Credit: Photo by Omar Chatriwala

Note: This article has been corrected to state the opening time of the mall to the public.