Dubai - MENA Herald: Riverland™ Dubai, the gateway to Dubai Parks and Resorts, is continuing to attract top brands and has announced the second wave of partners to join the new dining, retail and entertainment destination, which is set to open in October 2016, along with three theme parks, a water park and a resort hotel.
In total 34 lease proposals have now been signed - combining household names and exciting new brands. Amongst the new concepts attracted to Dubai Parks and Resorts are coffee shop The Brass and the popular UK-originated family dining venue Giraffe.
Other new restaurants who will take their place along the waterfront district include Taste of Italy, N Burger, Tom’s Deli and the modern European restaurant Parle. Boots pharmacy and the souvenir shop Mr. Camel Memories will also open at the waterfront district.
Riverland™ Dubai’s management has confirmed that it has leased over 50% of the 220,000 square feet of dining and retail space - achieving one of the destination’s key targets for 2015.
Riverland™ Dubai will be at the centre of the Dubai Parks and Resorts destination, with all guests passing through it as part of their visit. However it is also designed as a destination in its own right. Four unique zones - The French Village, Boardwalk, India Gate, and The Peninsula will make up the dining, retail and entertainment destination which will be free for all to visit. The wide range of dining and shopping on offer, coupled with the planned street theatre and entertainment, will make it the perfect place for families and friends to come together and meet, relax and recharge.
Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts said; “We are delighted to be able to announce the new restaurants, cafes and retailers who will be joining us at Riverland™ Dubai. In just eight months the management team has done an excellent job in securing a number of high-profile and exciting tenants for two-thirds of the 50-plus outlets available at Riverland™ Dubai. This means that we have exceeded our 2015 target of leasing out 50% of the available space and are on track to open with both unique and internationally recognised tenants. The overwhelming positive response we have received from the market demonstrates the appeal of Riverland™ Dubai as a destination.”
The newly announced partners add to the variety of dining and beverage venues previously announced that will serve cuisine from across the globe. These include Famous Dave’s barbeque, Mr Greek, Galito’s Flame Grilled Chicken, Tortilla, the Turkish restaurant Simit Sarayi, Jamba Juice, 800 Degrees Pizza, Starbucks, Shake Shack and Japanese restaurant Katsuya, the second outpost of the popular Irish Village, the family restaurant Big Chefs and modern Emirati restaurant Milas were all also announced at the end of 2015. Whilst Fuzziwigs Candy Factory, the beachwear retailer Havianas and Sun Eye Optics have also signed up.
Klaus Assmann, Vice President of Retail and Hospitality said; “We are very pleased with the response from local and international retailers, cafes and food and beverage brands to Riverland™ Dubai, which will offer a range of cultures, flavours and entertainment for young and old to enjoy. As the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts it has been designed to ensure all visitors experience amazing and the addition of the new partners creates even more reasons for our guests to visit and enjoy the resort.”
Dubai Parks and Resorts is set to be the region’s largest integrated theme park destination and Riverland™ Dubai will be at its heart as both the main entrance to the resort and also a connecting point between all three theme parks - motiongate™ Dubai, Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, LEGOLAND® Dubai, LEGOLAND® Water Park and the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian-themed hotel catering to families.
Visitors to Riverland™ Dubai will be taken on a visual experience through the ages, from a medieval French village themed area, featuring outdoor Mediterranean style dining and iconic landscapes, to the heady days of 1950’s America in Boardwalk, home to a range of casual dining options. India Gate, flanked by a large adorned elephant sculpture, will showcase the very best of 1930s India with its vibrant tastes, architecture and colours while Peninsula, which takes its architectural inspiration from the 19th century, will allow visitors to sit by the meandering river and enjoy casual dining options as well as live concerts and festivals.