MAIR Group Announces Mall of Al Ain Redevelopment and Expansion

MAIR Group, through its commercial real estate arm Makani Real Estate, has announced the redevelopment and expansion of Mall of Al Ain, marking the Group's first major investment in the asset since its acquisition in 2024. The announcement is timed ahead of the mall's 25th anniversary.

The redevelopment will deliver comprehensive upgrades across retail, dining, entertainment, and public spaces, alongside the introduction of hotel services linked to the destination. A key feature is the complete transformation of the mall's external façade and the expansion and relocation of its existing ice rink, which is expected to become one of the largest in Al Ain upon completion, expanding to nearly three times its current size and serving as the centrepiece of a larger family entertainment offering.

The redevelopment will also improve accessibility, customer circulation, seating, lighting, and public spaces, creating a more integrated visitor experience. Construction is scheduled to begin in Q4 2026 and will be implemented in phases, allowing the mall to remain fully operational throughout.

Nehayan Hamad Alameri, Managing Director and Group CEO of MAIR Group, said, "Mall of Al Ain has served generations of residents and visitors for more than two decades and remains an important destination within Al Ain's retail landscape. This redevelopment reflects our confidence in the city's continued growth and our commitment to investing in high-quality assets that create lasting value for our customers, tenants, shareholders and the communities we serve. Through Makani Real Estate, we continue to strengthen a resilient commercial real estate portfolio."

Haisam Sleiman, Chief Executive Officer of Makani Real Estate, said, "Mall of Al Ain has always been more than a retail destination for the city. This redevelopment represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the destination, introducing enhanced retail, dining and entertainment experiences while preserving the qualities that have made the mall an integral part of everyday life in Al Ain. Our objective is to ensure the asset continues to meet the evolving needs of customers and tenants for many years to come."

The Mall of Al Ain redevelopment is worth reading as more than a single asset upgrade. Al Ain has historically been underserved by the kind of large-scale retail and hospitality investment that has transformed Dubai and Abu Dhabi's urban landscape, and MAIR Group's decision to commit to a comprehensive redevelopment, including hotel services, an expanded ice rink, and a full façade overhaul, signals genuine confidence in the city's long-term growth trajectory. For Makani Real Estate, the investment also reinforces a broader strategy of elevating asset quality rather than simply expanding footprint. In a commercial real estate market increasingly defined by experiential retail and integrated lifestyle destinations, the direction of this redevelopment is well aligned with where consumer expectations are heading.