Beirut City Center reaches full occupancy rate

Mall to open in four months

Majid Al Futtaim’s Beirut City Center (BCC) will become operational during the first quarter of 2013. The $40-million development is expected to hire some 1,200 employees. The BCC offers 62,000 square meters of GLA (gross leasable area).

The mall has been fully leased, said Sleiman Mallat, senior mall manager. The BCC will host around 180 stores featuring brands by major retail groups, including Dareen International (American Eagle, Starbucks), Retail Management Group (Aldo, Nine West), Landmark (Centrepoint), and Carrefour.

Mallat said around 32 new stores will be introduced into the local market for the first time through the BCC. The stores will include British retail outlet Marks and Spencer. The brand has a strong presence in the Middle East, with 18 regional branches, through its franchise partner Majid Al-Futtaim. Mallat said that Marks and Spencer will have a 2,000-square-meters outlet leased at $4 million per annum.

High-end retailers such as Juicy Couture, Tommy Hilfiger, and Aïzone will also be available at the BCC. “We have chosen the combination of our tenants after studies of the needs of our trading zone,” Mallat said.

Brands of Azadea group (such as Zara, Bershka, etc.) will not be available at the mall. “Azadea brands are available at our 11 other malls in the region, the local market is an exception as the brand has its own mall in Sin-el Fil (Le Mall),” Mallat said.

The BCC will have an outdoor rooftop restaurant district with 16 food and beverage outlets, including some new concepts. The mall will introduce a new movie theater complex managed by Majid Al-Futtaim under the name Vox. It will also host a family entertainment center, Magic Planet.