SimplyAbuDhabi XII

6 7 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I One of the many highlights of the opening event, which saw thousands of people flood into the aptly name ‘Great Room’ and everywhere around the Galleria’s ample space, was the first-time showing in the UAE of an augmented reality screen show. This involved breakthrough projection techniques that interacted with imagery of live models that strutted new fashions up and down a custom-built catwalk that was double-sided so that the audience could view the action fromboth sides. Mr Ali Eid AlMheiri, Executive Director of Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure (MREI), said: “Modeled on a selection of the world’s most dynamic urban hubs, Al Maryah Island was intended to create a modern and dynamic CBD which would project a powerful image of Abu Dhabi as a leading contemporary Arab City. Our partnership with internationally established entities such as Related for The Galleria and Rosewood Hotel & Resorts for Rosewood Abu Dhabi has ensured the standard of service offerings and amenities available on the Island are at the forefront of conceptual urban living. Following this week’s milestone grand opening of Rosewood Abu Dhabi and tonight’s inauguration of The Galleria, coupled with the upcoming opening of the beautiful waterfront Promenade which interconnects the district, Sowwah Square is fast establishing itself as Abu Dhabi’s premier urban destination.” Kenneth Himmel, the co-managing partner of Gulf Related, who built the Galleria in cooperation with Mubadala Real Estate and Infrastructure, said, “This is probably the most complicated and intense combination of luxury brands and luxury detailing in a project that you could ever put together in a single place. From the eye of someone who has been in the business for 35 years and has built up 12 of these landmark mixed-use retail projects, I can tell you that there is nothing like this in the world”. Certainly high praise fromMr Himmel, who is also President and Chief Executive of the American-based retail property firm Related Urban, which built the Time Warner Center in New York. Continuing with his thoughts about the Galleria, he said, “It’s about the space, and the experience of the space, and it’s about the quality of the tenants and the quality of the finishes and the view over the water. This is an absolutely spectacular project,” he added. We couldn’t agree more and we will certainly be regular visitors. Not only for the peerless shopping it offers, but also because the Galleria will also host a packed itinerary of unmissable events. With a calendar full of cultural showcases and such a vast array of luxury goods on offer, The Galleria is sure to become one of the more favoured new lifestyle destinations in Abu Dhabi. His Royal Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and King Mohammed VI of Morocco and His Excellency Khaldoon Al Mubarak