H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Adviser and Deputy Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, yesterday inaugurated Yas Mall, the largest and latest shopping and entertainment destination on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior , H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, a number of Sheikhs and members of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and senior officials.
The ceremony, which took place in the Town Square, commenced with the arrival of H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, accompanied by the UAE national anthem. This was followed by a performance dedicated to the vision of the UAE leadership.
The programme also included an interactive video highlighting Yas Island's present and future. The last performance celebrated the launch of Yas Mall and showcased an extraordinary art installation of six falcons made from steel representing a symbol of force, courage, grace and pride.
The inauguration ceremony included a tour by H.H. Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed around Yas Mall's different sections and facilities. Spanning three floors, Yas Mall includes more than 370 stores, 60 of which are international restaurants, along with 83 unique-concept stores, which further enhance the Mall's retail offer of local and international brands.
The 2.5 million sq. ft. mall, which was developed by Aldar Properties, provides visitors with an exciting range of leading local, regional and international retail brands and entertainment attractions, serviced by nearly 10,000 covered parking spaces.
Yas Mall will open to the public for the first time on Wednesday, 19th November, a few days ahead of the 2014 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Located on Yas Island, Yas Mall offers a shopping destination for both tourists and residents supported by its easy access from the centre of Abu Dhabi. Yas Mall's proximity to other exciting attractions such as Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Links, Yas Park and Yas Water World as well as its direct link to Ferrari World, adds further value to the leisure and entertainment offer on Yas Island.
Yas Mall includes 20 VOX screens which bring even more excitement to Abu Dhabi, with the Emirate's first 4Dx technology, as well as a family entertainment zone by Fun Works, with the region's first 60,000 sq. ft. area dedicated to playful learning.
Yas Mall was designed to achieve a Two Pearl Estidama rating, Abu Dhabi's sustainable framework for design, construction and operation. It integrates a series of green strategies that make it a forerunner in the next generation of development in the Middle East. Some of these strategies include the use of regionally sourced and durable materials including modular limestone flooring and wall cladding and the use of shading strategies such as vertical glazing that is protected from direct sun via deep insets, canopies and a brise-soleil system, as well as improved outdoor thermal comfort through landscaping and shading devised over exterior parking and primary pedestrian pathways.
Estidama, which means sustainability in Arabic, is Abu Dhabi's own green building guideline. All buildings in Abu Dhabi must meet a minimum of 1 Pearl; Yas Mall is a 2 Pearl Estidama Building