Saadiyat Island's first retail complex '75% leased'

Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) on Monday announced that more than 75 percent of space at The Collection retail complex has been leased. Located within The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, The Collection will consist of a mix of 22 restaurants and retail outlets. It is the first retail complex on the island and is slated to open in the third quarter of 2012. Ahmed Al Fahim, executive director of Marketing, Communications, Sales and Leasing, TDIC, said: "This complex will offer a carefully selected mix of shops and restaurants to the discerning residents of the villas and apartments, and visitors from both Abu Dhabi and further afar." With a total of 6,000 sq m of leasable space, The Collection features architecture inspired by old-world Mediterranean villages, with terraces, courtyards and piazzas. The Collection is located adjacent to The Residences at The St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, which consists 32 exclusive villas and 259 apartments. The first phase apartments have now been fully leased and tenants have moved in with the second phase units now available for lease. The retail area is also connected to the resort's luxury hotel, which features 377 rooms, restaurants, a beach club, and the Iridium Spa. From Arabian Business