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More than 90 restaurants to be set up at Festival Centre

Festival Centre is on track for the grand opening in autumn this year and to ensure thar the project remains on track, construction programmes are assessed to improve the methodology and sequencing of the works.

This was announced recently at Arabian Travel Market by Al Futtaim Group, the developers of the project.

Dubai’s historic Creek will have at least 20 new-to-market international brands, with many more to come, which will form an intricate part of the destination’s newest dining attraction in the emirate’s buzzing downtown.

Phil McArthur, Managing Director, Shopping Centres and Commercial Real Estate, Al Futtaim Group, told Khaleej Times: “Most of the restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets will front the 2.6 million square feet retail, entertainment and leisure focal point of the Festival Centre, in three, separately-themed pavilions and a meandering Canal Walk. The three themes includes ‘The Hub,’ which will be located adjacent to the modern convention hotel InterContinental Dubai Festival City, on the north-west peninsula of the Festival Marina. Next to this will be the second pavilion, ‘Taste,’ which is themed as the urban living room and will be a family-friendly lounge area. The third and final pavilion, ‘Trade Routes’, will combine the very best international restaurants from across the ancient trading networks of Europe, Asia and the Middle East." According to a recent study, “The restaurant and fast food business in the UAE and region recorded an annual growth of 27 per cent in 2005 and this is attributed to the growing population and the booming tourism sector which is creating new opportuinites for several international restaurant chain owners to open their outlets in the UAE."

Regarding the facilities like car parking and road access to the Festival Centre, Brett Schafer, Managing Director, Development, Al Futtaim Group told Khaleej Times: “Dubai Festival City has planned the Festival Centre with more than 15,000 parking spaces, the highest customer to parking ratio in the emirate, being allocated to ensure that visitors will be guaranteed ample parking at any time of the year. To further increase efficiency, DFC has designed a completely integrated road network in conjunction with Dubai Municipality. This network will be expanded to include the Al Rebat Road extension, the Ras Al Khor Bridge,the fourth crossing at the Creek which will provide access directly into the heart of Dubai Festival City and its three access ramps.’’

Apart from this, the most innovative development at the food and beverage destination will be the specialised micro-climate environment which will extend the outdoor dining experience well into the hot summer months. The latest climate control technology has been utilised to reduce the temperature within the dining hub by using air movement systems, cooling solutions, water features and extensive shading which will all enhance the natural cooling effects of the Creek’s breeze.