Apparently things in Qatar aren't expensive and lavish enough for some of the country's elite.
The developers of the new AlHazm project are looking to address this problem by constructing a shopping center that caters to the wealthiest of Qatar's population who would otherwise head abroad to shop. The $824 million project is being built by Al Emadi Enterprises.
“It’s not a mall. Our target [is] people who don’t go to malls,” marketing director Soufiane El Ouazzani said, according to Doha News.
“We’re catering to the Qataris who don’t shop in Doha, the ones who go to Paris and Milan to buy clothes and accessories."
"We also don’t offer what traditional malls offer. There is no food court, or franchise chains. This is a destination because it is a customized service for each person. You will be known by name."
AlHazm is scheduled to open its doors by the end of the year, but the developers may potentially push the opening to the first quarter of 2016. However, construction on the project began six years ago when the foundations were first laid.
The architecture of the shopping center has been designed to resemble Italy’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, which is one of the oldest shopping malls in the world. Mohamed A.K. Al Emadi, the CEO of Al Emadi Enterprises, has personally overseen the project as he has long been fascinated with Italy.
As Qatar is home to the third-highest density of millionaires in the world, AlHazm is situated to tap this elite market that would otherwise leave the country to enjoy their privacy while they shop.
Here's to catering to the 1 precent, Qatar! Cheers.