In Kuwait, the’souk’ idea has been modernized by The Avenues Mall, one of the greatest leisure and shopping destinations in the Middle East. This modern masterpiece was designed with an eco-friendly idea in mind, with the sunlight falling on its floors to mimic the desert’s natural patterns and features.
Over a total of 1,200,000 square meters, the project utilized 390,000 m3 of cast-in concrete, 58,000 tons of steel rebar, and 240,000 m2 of precast concrete. Phase 1 of the mall’s development was finished in an unprecedented 24 months.
Phase 2 of the project was completed in 2008, and it included over two million square feet of retail space, the ground leveling of over a hundred eateries and cafés, a 10-screen Cineplex, and around 5,000 parking spots.
The Avenues is now the standard by which upscale shopping centers in the area are measured. More than 230 stores can be found in the development’s first phase, which opened in 2007.
The expansion’s second phase opened in 2008 with over 200 high-end stores, a massive food court, and many outdoor dining options. Phase III was finished at the beginning of 2012 and is now an integral element of the broader plan, while work on Phase IV has already commenced.
The Avenues Mall Phase 1
The Avenues, located on the fifth Ring Road between the Ghazali Expressway and Mohammed bin Al-Qassim Road, ushers in a new era in shopping.
The plan creates the longest pedestrian route in Kuwait, which is then divided into two smaller avenues so that people may walk through Kuwait’s largest indoor shopping mall. The walkways are made more stately by the addition of landscape design elements like gardens and fountains.
The slanted floor plans and angled parts of the Avenues are reminiscent of desert canyons and natural stone formations, while the undulating waves of structural glass panels and hanging acoustical clouds give the streets a surreal appearance on the second and third floors.
The Avenues has etched a new identity for modern Kuwait, one that looks forward to a bright future.
The Avenues Mall Phase 2
The mall’s architecture, which is characterized by organic, flowing curves, is well-suited for the installation of live green wall elements. Some of the most impressive examples of indoor green wall design are possible here because of the pressurized glass ceilings that soar high above the room.
The initial Versa Wall setup was the starting point for the integration of the subsequent three stages.
At the far end of the spectacular Grand Avenue is the first Green Wall of this phase, which is located around the “Eye of the Avenues,” an 18-foot-tall glass dome divided into a group of triangular flat surfaces. The new Grand Arcade, a more closed-in sector than the open Grand Avenue, is home to the second and third green walls.
The Avenues Mall Phase 3
The newest phase of Kuwait’s largest retail mall, The Avenues, has the concept of six unique shopping experiences. Each of these neighborhoods is named after a well-known shopping or tourist destination elsewhere in the world.
The Grand Avenue was inspired by the tree-lined boulevards of the world’s largest shopping complexes and was successfully built to feel like an outdoor environment by employing a lightweight ETFE roof.
There is a bustle as patrons of the many shops, cafés, and restaurants stream out into the central promenade to people-watch. The storefronts feature a blend of European, regional, and contemporary designs.
SoKu (an abbreviation for “South of Kuwait”) is an area in Kuwait City that aims to attract the city’s younger, more hip population by evoking New York’s bohemian SoHo neighborhood with its “edgy” city architecture and its abundance of cafés and bistros.
The Central Mall, which connects Phase III to the current construction, offers the largest assortment of the latest fashion trends, while The Luxury Mall, which has valet parking and hands-free shopping, will include up to 70 exclusive retailers. The center dome, which stands 226 feet in height, is the most eye-catching feature of The Luxury Mall.
The Souk and the Bazaar both have more traditional regional architecture. The Souk takes its inspiration from Arab markets and has traditional architecture (such as winding streets) and a focus on new, independent businesses. The Bazaar, modeled after Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar, will have 34 underground units.
FAQ’s
- What is the address of the Avenues Mall?
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Rd, Kuwait. - What are the opening hours of the Avenues Mall?
Every day from 8 AM to 12 AM.
