Abu Dhabi’s distinguished lifestyle destination The Galleria Al Maryah Island is proud to commemorate a significant milestone in redefining luxury experiences. Celebrating “A Decade of Luxury” since its inauguration and in anticipation for the celebrations to come, The Galleria is rejoicing in a remarkable 10-year journey of luxury.
Since its inception in 2013, The Galleria has reshaped Abu Dhabi’s retail landscape.The moment it opened its doors over 50 exclusive brands were introduced to the emirate. Celine, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Moschino and many more, opted for this novel luxurious destination to become their inaugural location in Abu Dhabi. These were accompanied by a range of internationally renowned flagship concepts which announced The Galleria as the home of luxury in the UAE capital.
The external façade and interior design matched the elevated offering of the brands within. The 33,000 square metre (gross leasable area) destination mirrored the vitality of the city, encapsulating modern design elements with Arabic influence. Crowned with an iconic sculptural roof structure, The Luxury Collection has become an architectural landmark in the capital.
The Galleria’s main entry experience is also choreographed for maximum impact. Bathed in a natural lightscape created by the structure above, guests are welcomed at the pinnacle of the two levels into the soaring, marble-clad Great Room. As they descend, the dramatic 20-metre-high bowed glass western façade rises directly ahead, framing the Abu Dhabi skyline across the water and opening the destination to city. In fact, the entire destination is characterised by its openness and spaciousness. Floor to ceiling windows embrace the panorama of the city, overhanging balconies in the north and south wings elevate public spaces and create an indoor-outdoor flow leading onto the waterfront.
Complementing its unique retail offering, the crème de la crème of the UAE fine-dining scene recognised this unique opportunity. The Galleria’s Dining Collection took shape along the island’s waterfront promenade overlooking Abu Dhabi. Concepts like Zuma, the multi-award-winning Japanese restaurant and lounge, COYA, LPM Restaurant and Bar and the now Michelin Star 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant altered the trajectory of dining in the capital. Guests no longer had to travel outside of the emirate to enjoy the best dining experiences in the region.
As the calibre of the destination became established, its evolution accelerated. The interconnected ecosystem on Al Maryah Island further added to its desirability by enabling year-round air-conditioned access from all surrounding assets. Flanked on both sides by five-star accommodations, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Four Seasons Al Maryah Island, alongside Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the growing business hub of Abu Dhabi Global Market and high-end office towers, The Galleria’s extraordinary combination of contemporary design, luxury positioning, exceptional service, centralised location and the ability to cater to a growing market, captured the attention of the world’s most prominent retail groups. With one major opening after another, brands saw the extraordinary potential The Luxury Collection offered and were eager to establish a presence in what had already become the unrivalled home of luxury fashion and high jewellery in Abu Dhabi.
Today, The Galleria welcomes over 34 million guests annually and is home to brands like Hermès, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, Fendi, Prada, Bulgari, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Graff, IWC, Patek Philippe, a spectacular Apple store set on top of a water feature on the promenade and so many more. This offering continues to grow and evolve, catering to an informed, discerning and knowledgeable market.
The Galleria’s dining offering followed a similar trajectory by introducing more fine-dining options to its guests such as Almayass and Salt Bae’s Nusr-Et. This prompted even more interest from other dining categories with UAE-favourite concepts like L’ETO café who introduced their brand to Abu Dhabi at The Galleria. As a result, many of the region’s foremost culinary offerings are all located within a 200-metre stretch along the island’s promenade. This has led to global recognition. In 2022 Al Maryah Island was selected to host the Middle East and North Africa’s prestigious 50 Best Restaurants event.
The Galleria also became a key destination for community events and celebrations. Iconic New Year’s Eve concerts on Al Maryah Island have seen international artists like Amr Diab and Myriam Fares perform on the promenade, while Chinese New Year and the spectacular annual Winter Wonderland have become staples on the Abu Dhabi event calendar. In recent years this has expanded to incorporate Halloween, Easter and other seasonal celebrations mirroring and catering to the growing and diverse population in the UAE capital.
In 2019, the luxury destination hosted the first and only Comité Colbert, an assembly comprising 84 distinguished French luxury brands and 16 cultural establishments. In partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi and Qasr Al Hosn, The Galleria and Comité Colbert delved into 21st century French luxury, along with the interplay between French and Emirati cultures, creating a distinctive and enriching cultural exchange.
That same year, phase two of The Galleria unveiled a new chapter in Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape. The Luxury Collection was joined by an expansive precinct housing an extended offering. What resulted was not just a physical transformation, but a complete reimagination of high-street fashion, unique entertainment and casual dining all in one place. In celebration of this occasion the world-class attraction hosted a sensational block party welcoming 100,000 people within 12 hours to celebrate the occasion.
Giving back to the community has also been a central focus over the years. As a lifestyle destination located centrally in the capital, The Galleria is in a privileged position to be able to enhance the lives of the local community. Complimentary community programmes incorporating fitness, dance and yoga provide a free and easy way for people to connect, spend time together and live a healthier lifestyle, while charitable initiatives and cause-related efforts have been a primary focus over the years.
Partnerships with charitable initiatives during key periods such as a Ramadan leverage the power of community to make a positive impact. These have included Reach who raise funds for tropical diseases, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for occasions like World Heart Day and the Pink Caravan initiative who provide free breast cancer screenings. Collaborations with local schools and cultural establishments have also helped promote local culture and art. Notable exhibitions have included collaborations with Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, Zayed University and support of people of determination with the Special Olympics.
The destination’s “Embrace Nature, Inspire Change” environmental initiative was launched in June 2023. The Galleria has committed to plant 3,000 trees in Abu Dhabi in honour of the Year of Sustainability building on its ongoing recycling, energy-saving and other sustainability efforts. To engage the community, participating guests were rewarded with The Galleria’s new gift card initiative, in collaboration with Visa. This unique offering empowers guests to present the gift of shopping and dining at their preferred locations within the destination.
Ali Fikree, Senior Vice President in the UAE Real Estate at UAE Investments, Mubadala, said: “Celebrating a decade of The Galleria Al Maryah Island is a testament to its enduring significance as a capital landmark and a hub for luxury experiences. Throughout these ten years, The Galleria has not only maintained its position as the premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment but has also played a pivotal role in driving the sustained growth and prominence of Al Maryah Island, one of the region’s most sought-after hubs to work, live, shop and play. As we cross this special milestone today, we remain committed to delivering world-class experiences that contribute to Abu Dhabi’s cultural and economic landscape.”
Commenting on this milestone, David Robinson, CEO of Al Maryah Retail Company, said: “Completing a decade of visionary innovation, The Galleria Al Maryah Island has redefined Abu Dhabi’s lifestyle narrative. From fashion, jewellery and exclusive luxury to gastronomy and entertainment every facet of this extraordinary destination reflects our commitment to excellence and is catered to our guests. As we celebrate a remarkable 10-year journey, we invite guests to join us in embracing A Decade of Luxury and we look forward to growing with the Abu Dhabi community for many years to come.”
Through its transformative journey, The Galleria Al Maryah Island has evolved into much more than a destination – it is a living testament to Abu Dhabi’s aspirations, diversity and unquenchable thirst for excellence. The story of The Galleria is one of constant evolution, a tale of a destination that listens, learns and continuously strives to offer a truly enriching experience to its cherished community. These significant achievements will be commemorated in true luxury fashion and guests can eagerly anticipate the exciting developments yet to unfold.
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