All photos courtesy of United Developers
Excavation work on a massive new mixed-use development north of Doha is reportedly in full swing as part of the latest luxury real estate project to break ground.
Part of the new city of Lusail, Place Vendôme will cost US$1.25 billion and include serviced apartments, entertainment zones, a pair of five-star hotels and up to 400 retail outlets when it is completed in the the third quarter of 2017.
The project’s backers – who displayed renderings of the complex recently at Cityscape Global in Dubai – say the design is drawn from the central Parisian neighborhood of the same name.
The commercial component is intended to draw high-end consumers; the company behind the project, United Developers, says it will contain an “exclusive section dedicated to unrivaled luxury and the most elite brands.”
The company says Place Vendôme will be 800,000 square meters, or more than double the entire footprint of Villaggio Mall.
The renderings of the luxurious development stand in stark contrast to how Lusail currently appears.
Despite being in the works for years, the master-planned city is still largely barren desert interrupted by the odd building site, scattered construction waste and heavy machinery.
The Place Vendôme is one of more than a half-dozen large retail centers that are expected to open in Qatar in the coming years, including Doha Festival City and the Mall of Qatar.
Despite the country’s growing population and wealth, the glut of new malls is expected to lead to an oversupply of retail space in the country.
Speaking at a local real estate conference earlier this year, industry experts say the new high-end shopping centers will likely have no problem drawing consumers and retailers.
However, that’s likely to come at the expense of Qatar’s older malls, which could lead to empty stores and reduced foot traffic.
Thoughts?
‘The commercial component is intended to draw high-end consumers’ :p
And the eco footprint is…….?
So they are planning to have this open in 2.5 years time? The house next door to ours has taken as long to put up, and is still not finished. Maybe they should shoot for a more realistic time frame. I am sure the disappointment will be felt across the region as there will be such limited options for luxury goods shopping. How about just having a proper home goods store, hardware store, or furniture store that is not filled with fake gold gilded faux French baroque eye pain inducing items. I have no problems at all finding a place to sell me a Rolex, but what I would really like to do is buy a screwdriver, a hammer, and a bit of hardware without visiting 12 tiny shops in Namja to find overpriced cheap Chinese tools, if I can find them at all. By comments – what do you think that Qatar needs more than another luxury goods mall (better/new roads a given)?
I’d like to see a Costco.
Oh yeah.
Costco would be a huge success
Home Depot I would shop everyday.
I already have 12 Rolex. NOT
Practically: Better roads/infrastructure is a given. I also think just cleaning up existing areas would be beneficial; everywhere you drive things are a bit of a wreck, there is rubble everywhere, even surrounding businesses, dust, and things are in a state of disarray, even in “nice” areas. Spend some money to clean things up so it doesn’t look so third world.
Personally: I would love convenience stores that are actually convenient (not to mention clean and well-stocked); I would love a great book store like Barnes & Noble, I would love a great hobby store like Hobby Lobby or Michaels; and more than anything I would love a TARGET!! Sorry this is a bit US-centric, but that would be my wish-list 🙂
One last thing, more QDC locations!
sure i agree with the above, but it is as if this project is owned and operated by the govt. Clean roads and better infrastructure in the gov’t job, the folks behind this grotesque project are private investors who bought a land, got a permit and are now sinking their money into it…. don’t see how not building the next mall and better streets have to do with each…
I agree with you A_qtr, they are not related, but Cerebus asked a bit of a fun question of what we think Qatar needs more than another luxury mall. I viewed answering as more of an entertaining exercise.
I like the new things in Doha that appear but I refuse to get excited about them. The schedules and opening dates are hoplessly unrealistic and I could have left Doha or be dead by the time they finally open.
Place Vendome in the middle of nowhere. Boutique hotels with gourmet resturants closing down and in the middle of the busy souq……honestly…..another white elephant.
Haha. another waste of space, money and resources. Fabulous. This: http://www.panarabiaenquirer.com/wordpress/property-developer-admits-new-dubai-mega-project-actually-simcity-image/
what do you mean another waste of space and money. Dont you relize that qatar is trying to provide more facilities for you and your not appreciating it. You should respect this country and what they have done for you.
I would fancy more and more shops, malls and luxury eateries with much cleaner and safer environments where an average QR 800-1000 salaried guys can go in confidently and shop without worries, and fill his mind with happiness rather than an awe in his eyes.