Qatar: A Country of Malls

By Ola Diab This year, Qatar is expected to see the opening of new shopping malls across the country.

Qatar is a very mall-friendly country, with the country’s long, sizzling summers, forcing people to stay indoors. Therefore, there is a big market for shopping malls especially as it is the favourite pastime for both locals and residents of Qatar. Qatar is already home to nearly 30 malls, small and big. New malls Qatar saw the opening of its latest mall and new shopping experience, Msheireb Galleria in Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) in May 2021. With over 100 stores spread across four levels of shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment, Msheireb Galleria is anchored by a luxury cinema, an exciting kid’s edutainment centre and the first Monoprix in Qatar with SMART Retail Solution. In addition, its west wing offers residences and offices above the shops. msheirebgalleria.com A 'city-within-a-city' in the heart of Msheireb, Doha Oasis opened in the summer of 2021. Totalling 37,000 sq m of hotel suites and exclusive residences, the complex comprises two ultra-luxury, 20-storey elliptical glass residence buildings, each with nine floors of duplex apartments, a 29-storey, seven-star hotel with seven restaurants, and a business centre. The ‘jewel in the crown’ is a nearly 72,000 sq m Themed Experience Center

Place Vendôme

(TEC) featuring 26 next generation, self-contained experiential attractions, and the Doha Oasis Boutique, a four-level underground Commercial Podium housing the TEC, an exclusive spa, and extensive high-end shopping options. Doha Oasis is expected to officially and completely open in 2022 in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM . Currently open at Doha Oasis is Vox Cinemas; Doha Quest, Qatar's first indoor theme park; the popular Planet Hollywood restaurant; and the five-star luxury hotel, Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb. dohaoasis.com, 4410 4100 In late 2021, J-Mall opened in Duhail near Al Khafji Street. It currently has a hypermarket called Marza, food court, restaurants and cafes, as well as leisure facilities like bowling and a gym, aside from its fashion stores. jmallqatar.com, 4488 4888, 3307 4854 This year, Qatar is expected to see the opening of new shopping malls across the country. Opening in 2022 Place Vendôme One of the most anticipated events in Qatar in 2022 is the opening of Place Vendôme. Located in the heart of Lusail City, Place Vendôme was initially expected to open in September 2021. It will feature a canal running to the sea, which will give visitors an open plaza experience overlooking the waters.

O4 Mall

The mixed-use development project will echo the high-end shopping street in Paris, Rue de la Paix. Across four floors, there will be up to 600 retail outlets including luxury designer stores. It will also host a Monoprix, a wide range of dining options, a lively dancing fountain, family entertainment, and a cinema complex. For more information, visit placevendomeqatar.com or call 5002 2260 Other upcoming malls in 2022 and beyond 04 Mall Located at La Plage South, The Pearl-Qatar, 04 Mall was initially expected to open in late 2021. However, it has not opened and a new official opening date has not been announced. It will have three floors spread over 6,600 sq m with a hypermarket, 19 retail stores, three dining outlets, and a gym. The mall will be the newest community destination for residents of The Pearl-Qatar and visitors to the area.

For more information, visit thepearlqatar.com Boulevard Mall At Boulevard Mall in Al Kheesa, retailers and shoppers will benefit from 2,500 parking spaces on the ground and basement levels, and three levels of retail anchored by Lulu Hypermarket. Spreading over 192,000 sq m, the mall boasts 262 units that include retailers, a fabulous worldclass food court containing a variety of restaurants and cafes, a fitness facility, family entertainment centre and a multi-screen cinema. Three massive glazed domes give an ultramodern appearance and bathe the interior in natural light. Futuristic metal tree sculptures complete the Boulevard vision. Shoppers will enjoy the serenity provided by the full height glass-backed waterfalls and water features. For more information, visit boulevardmall.qa or call 3367 1114 Doha Mall Doha Mall will be a three-level mixed-use shopping, entertainment and leisure destination in Bu Hamour, comprising 100,000 sq m with a total project size of 125,000 sq m with over 3,500 parking spaces. Doha Mall will be home to more than 250 retail stores, with over 14 anchor stores, a new Flik Cinema with 10 cinema screens, world-class bowling centre, high-tech family entertainment centre, trampoline and adventure park for children, a wide range of dining options with over 60 food and beverage units, as well as a well-lit structure with natural sky light. Doha Mall is set to be a one-stop-shop destination in Qatar. Operated by Al Mana, the QAR1.5 bn Doha Mall was originally expected to open in 2016. The opening was then rescheduled for February 2020. However, the mall has not opened yet and a new official opening date has not been announced. For more information, visit dohamall.com North Gate Mall North Gate Mall in Al Kharaitiyat will be a destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The mixed-use development will also be the home of five-level office buildings. The property will include unique spaces such as Market Street (indoor/outdoor dining), the Crystal Garden, and Shamal Hall with its unique architectural features. There is no known official opening date for the mall. However, there are currently dining outlets on the mall’s Market Street like His Majesty Coffee, Yoza, and Awa Artisan Coffee. Al Emadi Hospital also opened a clinic in North Gate Mall in 2019. For more information, visit northgate.com.qa or call 4466 6961 In the future, Qatar will also see the opening of Marina Mall in Lusail City and Waddan Mall in Mesaieed. Note: Mall openings are subject to change. m

Doha Mall

Shopping Festivals