The Avenues Mall is the largest shopping mall in Kuwait.[1] The mall is located in the Rai area extending from Fifth Ring Road from the south and Al Ghazali Highway from the east. It opened in April 2007, under the patronage of the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah.[1] It was the winner of the ICSC Gold Award, under the Expansion and Design Category in the Middle East & North Africa.[2] With a total area of 1,200,000 m2, it is considered to be one of the largest shopping malls in the world [3] It features 1,400+ stores and parking for 17,000 cars.[4]
 | |
| Founded | 9 April 2007 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Rai, Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait City |
| Owner | Mabanee Company |
| Website | The-Avenues.com |
The mall is located in Hawally and is currently the most visited, and loved mall in the entirety of Kuwait.
Design
The mall's construction had four distinct phases: Phase I completed in December 2006, Phase IIA in May 2008, Phase IIB in August 2009, Phase III in November 2013 and Phase IV in March 2018. Across a span of twelve years, The Avenues has spent a total of US$3,061,500,000 in building and construction. The Avenues is home to a number of districts: 1st Avenue, 2nd Avenue, Grand Avenue, Prestige, The Mall, Galleria, SOKU, The Souk, The Arcades, The Cinema, The Gardens, Electra, The Forum, Grand Plaza, the latter six opening as a part of the new extension of Phase IV.
The mall is built under and managed by Mabanee Company K.P.S.C.,[5] Gensler.[6] and Pace.[7]
Grand Avenue
The Grand Avenue is designed to feel like an outdoor space. The boulevard is covered with a transparent roof structure[8] This district was a part of the expansion of Phase III, opening to the public with major designer brands: Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi in the Prestige district. Alongside the new openings of restaurants including Shake Shack, Cheesecake Factory, IHOP, Olive Garden, Sephora, and more. The street is paved in stone along a path of trees on either side.
Grand Avenue also opened KidZania, a corporation that installs a child-sized model of a real city. The franchise opened in Kuwait in June '2013.
Grand Plaza
The Grand Plaza is a 640 m promenade down Grand Avenue.
[9] Trees are lined on either side of the promenade, with available seating and gathering spaces for shows, markets and performances. The Grand Plaza was a part of the latest installment of Phase IV.
Current Projects
The most recent completion The Avenues held was the construction of Phase IV. The inclusion of numerous new districts, "the mall is expected to employ 30,000 people, some of which will work on the facility's 300 new stores".[10]
A four star and five star hotel are currently in construction, with TradeArabia, an Arabian business news information stating, "Waldorf Astoria, Hilton’s smart luxury hotel brand, and mid-scale Hilton Garden Inn open their doors to guests in early 2019 at the mall". Waldorf Astoria is open in door to guests in August 2022.[11] Mohammad Alshaya, chairman of Mabanee, said: “In planning the fourth phase of the expansion of this immense project, one of the most exciting additions, we are providing the ability for visitors to stay inside Avenues itself".[11]
Influences
The Avenues was primarily created with the influence of the climate and geography of Kuwait. The architecture is based on the natural forms of the desert sand dune, rock formation and the sky.[9] The neutral colors of the interior, and the open window ceilings brings The Avenues Concept together.[9] Among each respective there is a particular influence behind it.
Grand Avenue
Electra
This is where digital retail is found.[12]
The Souk (Marketplace)
This district is an interpretation of this region's traditional retail architecture, including narrow streets and a color scheme to match that of the desert. Involving traditional cafes and classic Arabic cuisines, this area encompasses the former Kuwait.[12]
The Forum
The completely white modern space is influenced by the major cities in the world: Los Angeles, Milan, London.[12]
SoKu
SoKu (an acronym for South of Kuwait) finds inspiration from New York's bohemian SoHo district, and is reminiscent of “edgy” city architecture, as well as numerous cafes and bistros, all designed to capture the attention of Kuwait's younger, trendier consumers.[13]
Restaurants and Stores
There are many international and national restaurants and stores in the Avenues. Since Kuwait is highly influenced by British lifestyle, there are shops that have branched from England, to Kuwait. Shops such as Charlotte Tilbury, Jack Wills, Zara, H & M, Disney, and Marks and Spencer. Along with British brands, many American brand names can also be found in the mall: Forever 21, Pottery Barn, Tiffany & Co. and Borders Stationery and Toys Shop.
The Avenues also hosts French, Dutch, Italian, Turkish, Swiss, Indian, and Arabic restaurants and stores, making The Avenues the most internationally diverse widespread area in Kuwait.
Districts
1st Avenue
The 1st Avenue district covers a spacious area that includes over 200 stores, restaurants, and cafes and 11 Cinescape movie theatres. It encompasses a home furnishing zone, including international stores, some making their first debut in Kuwait and others launching their stores exclusively in The Avenues. It is also the first of the Avenues districts.[12]
2nd Avenue
The 2nd Avenue includes both local and international restaurants and cafés. The Food World is located on the 2nd Floor. [12]
The Souk
The Souk is designed to look like the old Kuwait, it consists of traditional restaurants that serve authentic food and café that serve arabic coffee. The Souk is also home to a large fountain surrounded by different restaurants. The Souk appears to look like the Mubarakiya, an old shopping place used in the 1930. [12]
The Prestige
The Prestige district offers luxury shopping and restaurants to its shoppers. It is also home to the five-star hotel Waldorf Astoria.[12]