Darwish Holding’s luxury retail division 51 East has signed an agreement with Gulf Contracting Company to build their 14,000sqm flagship store located at the upcoming Lagoona Mall beneath the Zig Zag towers in West Bay.
Darwish Holding chairman Bader Abdulla al-Darwish and Gulf Contracting general manager John Kennedy were the signatories for the deal which would cost more than QR100mn.
“51 East Lagoona, the biggest and most exclusive department store in the Gulf region, is set to open in the last quarter of this year,” al-Darwish said on the occasion.
“The new outlet of 51 East will take retailing in Qatar to new heights,” Darwish Holding general manager Nazar Najarian said.
The project’s engineering consultancy MZ & Partners regional manager Nicolas Jarrouj and Lagoona’s general manager Ronald Dinelle were also present at the ceremony.
The project is composed of two floors that contain a wide spectrum of spaces, each with its own distinct layout and design elements.
The interior concept is designed by the world-famous US firm Callison-RYA from Dallas, the appointed interior designer for premium global retail stores such as Neiman Markus, Bloomingdale’s, and Watches of Switzerland.
“The design team toured all over Qatar to produce a signature design blending local classic culture with sharp contemporary elements creating an eclectic shopping environment,” al-Darwish said.
51 East Lagoona’s location is designed in 24 open concept sections that will house some of the world’s most renowned brands, and occupies 25% of the Lagoona’s retail space. The new store represents 51 East’s continual journey to create an innovative retail experience while serving the local community’s needs by employing over six decades of retail experience.
The store will as well act as a type of gallery featuring exquisite artworks throughout the space. Accentuating these artistic elements will be an exclusive custom-made hanging sculpture created by Doner Studio in New York.
Equipped with its own VIP entrance and valet parking service the new store will be the only one offering such amenities to its clientele at the Lagoona location.
The new store will incorporate a two-floor technology department as well featuring the latest innovations from brands including Sony, Bose, Apple, and Yamaha.
Both technology floors will be connected with a glass panoramic lift that will provide customers with a view of the stores’ impressive interior layout.
Linked to the store will be an independent Rolex boutique. In addition, there will be shop-in-shops, personalised corners and multi-brand zones for internationally renowned brands of men’s, women’s and children’s wear, home accessories, and strikingly designed jewellery and timepieces.
VIP lounges for women and men are located next to women’s and men’s fashion departments. The store will also include a children’s playground, an evening and bridal wear, cosmetics and make-up studios for personalised service, and a coffee shop run by Fauchon.
“The Lagoona store embodies the expansion of our vision of offering first class services and locations within the local community,” al-Darwish asserted.
In addition, the store will offer concierge services, professional gift wrapping and personalised jewellery engraving.
Citing 40% annual growth for the past five years, and 15% growth in 2009 when the global markets were affected by a downturn, al-Darwish added that 51 East is aiming for 20% growth in 2010.
http://gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=347763&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
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