Cleopatra Mall is a mixed-use shopping and entertainment project being built on the 6th of October near Cairo, Egypt, by the Cleopatra Group. Designed by Design International, the development is touted to become one of the biggest landmarks in the country.
Construction on the project is being undertaken in two phases, with the first phase commencing in 2011. Phase one was scheduled for completion in 2016 but delayed due to the Arab Spring (democratic uprisings).
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Construction was recommenced in 2014 and is now scheduled for completion in 2017. The first phase of the project is estimated to cost $350m.
The mixed-use project won the Best Retail Architecture Worldwide award by the International Property Awards for 2010 and the Future Project Award by Retail & Leisure International in 2011.
Cleopatra Mall location
Cleopatra Mall is being developed on the 6th of October, which has a population of approximately three million.
Originally a satellite city, the 6th of October has witnessed an increase in tourist and business activity, with many companies and affluent people relocating to avoid the overcrowding in Cairo.
The project is expected to benefit from the strategic location and business growth attracting tourists, top-level business executives and upscale local residents.
Design and features of the mixed-use development
The mall will be spread over five floors with a total area of 450,000m². Phase one will be spread over 280,000m² and include a 150,000m² shopping mall and a 5,000-space car park.
Phase two will cover 170,000m² and include 105,000m² of mixed-use development and a 2,500-space car park.
A unique feature of the mall is a gigantic canopy spanning 200m over the central area of the project. The canopy’s design, which covers both the internal and external areas of the project, has been termed as a ‘wave in the desert’ by the architects.
The extreme ends of the site include two buildings that have been designed with a luxury hotel located on the left and an office building suited on the right.
Materials used in the new Egyptian mall
The roof of the mall will be fitted with an ETFE film skylight system, which provides exceptional light transmission with high insulation. The lightweight, self-cleansing ETFE material is resistant to pollution and ultraviolet light.
The system is made of pneumatic cushions held by aluminium extrusions. The cushions are inflated with low-pressure air to provide insulation and wind load resistance.
The ETFE system also delivers high-performance acoustic properties to the mall.
Cleopatra Mall facilities and attractions
A key attraction at the mall will be a 20,000m² artificial lake with waterfalls. The lake will include a cybernetic fountain feature and a laser beam display for visitors. It will be surrounded by restaurants on one side and green landscaping on the other.
The mall will also feature more than 300 shops, fine-dining restaurants, a 14-screen cinema complex, fresh food market, educational centre, active sports facilities, spa, a VIP lounge and a TV station.
A food court with a seating capacity of more than 2,000 and 70 outlets will be part of the facility.
The mall will be equipped with a state-of-the-art fibre-optic telecommunication system.
Sustainable features of the Cleopatra Mall
The ETFE film skylight system minimises solar heat gain and reduces energy consumption. In addition, free-cooling and heat recovery units, high-efficiency appliances, HVAC systems and solar-thermal panels will be used to decrease energy consumption.
The project will also feature sustainable light sources such as LED, the fluorescent and cold cathode. The external landscape lighting will be solar-powered.
Efficient fixtures and fittings will be installed to reduce water consumption, including low-volume cisterns, thermostatic fixtures, waterless urinals and pressure restrictors.
