One of Yas Island's most popular attractions is about to get a huge revamp.
On Monday, it was announced that Yas Mall would be undergoing a major redesign and refurbishment, courtesy Aldar Investment. Work on key areas of the mall is already underway and will be completed in phases over the next 12 to 18 months.
This means that Abu Dhabi shoppers will soon be able to look forward to a slew of new restaurants, activities and retail experiences in the Yas Island venue. Here's a look at what to expect.
What to eat
The popular mall is already home to a food court on the first floor as well as 23 restaurants including Asha's, Al Fanar, Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil.
However, the redevelopment will expand the mall's food and beverage offerings by 40 per cent, and promises to introduce new brands to the capital. In addition, Abu Dhabi foodies can expect a new food hall and outdoor terraces located at the North Entrance.
Finally, Yas Mall’s Town Square area will offer an al fresco-inspired dining experience, with views of events and activations.
Where to shop
The mall is currently home to more than 200 brands and the plan will focus on increasing the health, beauty and jewellery categories.
Visitors can expect to find numerous international fashion brands – including some that will be coming to the capital for the first time.
Lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters is one such example.
Finally, those looking for a one-stop shop to spruce up their home decor will be glad to know that the mall will be adding a home furnishing district with brands such as EBarza and American company Ethan Allen coming to Abu Dhabi for the first time.
A sports hub
The Boulevard, which connects Yas Mall with Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Clymb Abu Dhabi, will become an all-new sports hub featuring some world-famous sports brands. The management has also announced that there will be five unique concept and experiential stores to watch out for.
A focus on office spaces
Ensuring that the mall is more than just a destination for leisure and entertainment, as part of the redevelopment, 15,000 square metres of office will also be added.
This includes Cloud Spaces, a co-working space that opened in the mall in 2020, to help facilitate remote working for those who do not have access to their office.
"Our goal is to promote collaboration and become a community hub for the evolving business landscape," Malak Smejkalova, the general manager of Cloud Spaces told The National in 2020.
New technology and facilities
Finally, the plan is to just generally improve the customer experience – with the help of way-finding technology as well as an interactive digital art screen, which will be replacing the giant water fountain in Town Square.
Visitors can also expect a refurbishment of the parking areas, entrances, and welcome desks to add to the customer experience.
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
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Russia v Scotland, Thursday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
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