Also on the cards is a massive new project just across the road from The Galleria called Al Maryah Central which is five times the size of The Galleria. Once completed, the new project will comprise 75 new F&B experiences. Parry says: “The differentiator is that our fine dining is staying with The Galleria. We won’t have licensed restaurants in Al Maryah Central but we will increase the number of cafés and the larger, mass market brands. That’s really what we’re focusing on because we have always been a big believer in food.”
Parry admits that The Galleria has a disproportionately high percentage of food for a retail project. This is completely intentional: “I know retail these days is going towards entertainment and food. We’ve been doing that since we first came to Abu Dhabi and Al Maryah Central really is an extension because now we’re bringing in incredible entertainment. We’re going to have one of the largest Vox cinemas with regards to the number of screens in the region and the food that goes with that.”
According to Parry, the new additions to The Dining Collection will also be famil- friendly: “I often take umbrage with my own team when they say families over the road and adults at the waterfront. Eat Greek is fantastic and I challenge anyone to get a better kids’ meal than Bentleys. I take my four-year-old there. He loves it.”
The encroachment of restaurants in retail spaces shows no signs of slowing down. Talking about the evolving ratio, Parry says: “One of the F&B leaders has always been Singapore. When we, here in the region were 9% they were 18%. Singapore is now getting closer to 40%. To get to 30% is possible but I don’t think this region will go much above that just yet. For 40% and 30% to happen you really need people coming for breakfast, lunch and dinner experiences.”
Ultimately, for the Australian native, who grew up socialising with his friends in malls, the aim is to create spaces where people can connect: “The way retail has shifted over the years is that malls are places where people congregate. People in retail use the word ‘place-making’ but what does that really mean? It’s a place where people come together to talk and interact with each other. People have WhatsApp and text messages and everything else but at some point you actually want human interaction and really, the mall is that meeting place.”
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