AG Café debuts its first exquisite Tim Hortons Coffee House at Dubai Hills Mall
AG Café, the master franchisee of Tim Hortons brand in the Middle East, opened its first ever Coffee House in the UAE and its second in the Middle East at Dubai Hills Mall, which comes as part of the trademark’s expansion strategy in the country where it has around 190 restaurants so far, to achieve its vision to offer innovation services and a unique experience for all coffee lovers in the emirates.
The opening event was attended by Thiago Santelmo, Regional President of EMEA at RBI, executives from AG Café, partners from the private and government sectors, and the media, as the new coffee house introduced the distinctive and innovative experience it offers to Tim Hortons lovers, starting with its design that is inspired by nature, its elegant yet comfy interior, pleasant lightning suitable for everyone, and carefully selected selection of furniture that offers guests the option of enjoying a home-brewed cup of coffee or some delicious foods.
The coffee house offers a number of unique features such as specialised coffee, new machines for brewing a wide variety of coffee beans, in-house coffee grinding and freshly baked donuts, in addition to a new food menu.
The opening of this new Tim Hortons coffee house along with two other locations at the same mall, reinforces AG Café’s mission to provide an unforgettable experience to its guests, and sustains its concept of always offering freshly brewed coffee and bakeries to maintain its tagline “Always Fresh, Always Delicious”.
Through this new coffee house, AG Café aims to offer distinguished and premium coffee, as it allows its guests to fully interact with the brand and create a unique community bonded by the love of specialized high-quality coffee.
Thiago Santelmo, Regional President of EMEA at RBI, Tim Hortons principal, said: “We are thrilled to open our first Coffee House in UAE. We trust that the elevated Coffee House concept will be well received by our guests. Inspired by our Canadian heritage, this concept focuses on creating an atmosphere that makes you feel authentically welcomed and at ease from the moment you walk in. A place to come back to again and again to disconnect, while enjoying a moment of delicious indulgence or just reenergise for the day ahead.”
Hesham Almekkawi, CEO of AG Café, the master franchisee of Tim Hortons brand in the Middle East, stated that: “Dubai’s advanced infrastructure, government facilities, and easy investment policies have encouraged us to believe in the success of our expansion, and we were motivated to open this new coffee house at Dubai Hills Mall. We seek to further expand throughout the whole UAE, and expect this new café to attract guests who are looking for a nice and quiet place to relax or meet others while enjoying the most delicious foods and beverages.”
Almekkawi pointed out that they are delighted to reinforce this successful partnership with Emaar Properties, the development and managing company of Dubai Hills Mall, and added that Dubai Hills Mall is a vibrant centre that greatly contributes to the development of Dubai Hills Estate, providing services to the local community and visitors from around the UAE. We are pleased to be part of this exclusive venture in Dubai, and look forward to welcoming our guests at the new coffee house that offers them a unique and exceptional experience that makes Tim Hortons “everyone’s café of choice”.
The iconic Canadian brand Tim Hortons® is renowned for its unique premium coffee, variety of inspired donuts, high-quality fresh products, and the personal experience it offers to its guests and communities. With over 50 years of experience, Tim Hortons® has managed to capture the hearts and tastes buds of the Canadians and guests from all over the world.
Founded in 1964, Tim Hortons leading chain of Cafés in Canada and across the world offers guests its iconic Original Blend coffee, Double-Double™ coffees, donuts and Timbits® since that year. Tim Hortons has more than 5,100 restaurants in Canada, the United States, and around the world, and was introduced for the first time in the GCC in 2011.
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H2R Design extends Symphony at Dubai Mall with chocolate boutique, Made by Two
H2R Design continues to craft spaces of significance, influence and soul with the launch of Made by Two, the newest extension of the luxurious café, “Two at Symphony” and fashion boutique store “Symphony”. Located within The Dubai Mall’s deluxe Fashion Avenue Extension, Made by Two is the next piece of the Symphony story, offering a sophisticated yet inviting destination where the art of chocolate truly comes alive.
As the interior design visionaries of both existing Two Café and Symphony concepts, H2R was tasked with continuing the brand’s evolution with Made by Two, all while allowing the chocolate boutique to embrace its own identity. With a goal to set the benchmark within the region’s chocolate retail market, H2R seamlessly extracted the DNA of the brand and added a contemporary, creative touch that allowed Made by Two’s art and form to shine through.
Walking into Made by Two creates an immediate connection to the umbrella brand with its signature brass accents and playful terrazzo stone elements. Two counters stand proud facing each other at the entrance, with their intent to welcome guests with the sights and smells of crafted chocolate artistry and floral fragrances. The curved counter on the left showcases meticulously crafted chocolates within a transparent display, while the counter on the right serves as a space for curating chocolate collections in glass cases with hand-stitched leather straps, complete with delicate floral touches. Hand-painted strokes and gold marbling seen on the chocolate creations, available in boxes from 12 to 96 pieces, mimic the overall design aesthetic of the space.
Continuing the journey, customers are greeted by elegant lounge clusters and plush seating in soft pastel colours, maintaining the feminine essence of Made by Two. One-line art on the walls function as an organic thread to the brand’s identity and script logo, accompanied by tailor-made pedestals to highlight the chocolate pieces and their beauty.
To help bring the space together, H2R reached out once again to international artist Alissa Coe to create an extension of the falling leaves sculpture, composed of delicate, hand-formed porcelain suspended from the ceiling. Additional design details throughout the space include wooden fins to create timeless architectural linearity and feature pieces such as coffee tables made from Indian Green Marble – all working together imaginatively articulate Made by Two’s personality while also embracing the existing Symphony brand.
Husain Roomi, co-founder of H2R Design said: “Creating an extension of an existing brand requires balance from both identity and design perspectives, and our team at H2R were dedicated to finding that sweet spot. It was important to remain true to Symphony’s roots, allowing Made by Two to stand side-by-side to its siblings while also shaping a space that could tell its own story. We are proud to have delivered this for Made by Two and believe that it continues the brand’s presence within The Dubai Mall.”
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The mesmerising Swarovski Instant Wonder store opens at Mall of the Emirates
Swarovski Instant Wonder store, now open at Mall of the Emirates, Dubai.
The Swarovski Wonderlab comes alive with the unveiling of 28 Instant Wonder stores in key global markets. What began with Milan’s Galleria store opening in February, the Parisian debut in March and the New York City unveilings in April has led to a much-anticipated opening in the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai, UAE.
Swarovski’s Instant Wonder stores realise a sense of joyful wonder, a candy-like dreamscape filled with the full spectrum of crystal lifestyle pieces—loose components, jewellery, watches, figurines and accessories— and furnished with a captivating backdrop of Swarovski’s octagonal logo silhouette, created from the new packaging.
Though one facet of many in the brand’s relaunch, the covetable new boxes play a key role in bringing Instant Wonder stores to life. Each store is represented by one of five colours – white, pink, green, blue, and yellow – that are, in turn, inspired by the prismatic result of light shining through the crystal. Walls are lined from floor to ceiling in the octagonal boxes to create a monochromatic, repeating motif that encourages exploration.
In addition, a series of metallic-cast busts replaces traditional jewellery display stands, instead of experimenting with form, scale, and representation to turn everyday situations into opportunities for self-expression. Each character, named and scanned from life, has been created using innovative 3D technology in poses representing moments of joyful play.
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Celine’s new boutique at The Dubai Mall is crafted with the finest natural materials
A new architectural design concept for Celine boutiques was launched with New York Madison Avenue in February 2019, and subsequently implemented worldwide: such as the Dubai Mall flagship store.
The scheme, designed by creative director Hedi Slimane; juxtaposes the finest natural materials, crafting a balanced and expansive sculptural interior.
Natural stones are an essential ingredient of the concept. Basaltina, a Roman lava stone, is employed for flooring, on the other hand, ginger and cream-veined black granite is used for walls and shelving. Bianco Raffaello marble, Grande antique marble, and Grey Travertine are all also used in varying combinations. These materials are complemented with the reclaimed oak, concrete, polished stainless steel, brass and gold mirror together in a refined twenty-first century brutalist context.
Specially designed furniture by Slimane plays a crucial role in the design, with sculptural typologies responding to the architecture.
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Havelock One completes the fit-out of Yalla! Bowling at Atyaf Mall, Riyadh; designed by Unick Consulting
Leading interior solutions provider, Havelock One was nominated as the fit-out contractor of Yalla! Bowling at Atyaf Mall. Situated opposite the newly-opened VOX Cinemas, this Yalla! Bowling is a standalone leisure facility and diner, combining eight lanes of bowling alongside pool tables, foosball, and air hockey, with a mix of lane-side booth seating and high tables. Visible from the mall side through shopfront glazing, customers have full visibility of the 10,500sqft venue beyond. Majid Al Futtaim appointed Unick Consulting to develop the design of this space. Majid Al Futtaim is growing its portfolio of brands that invite families and friends alike to celebrate togetherness and fun.
Bowling brand, which is already well established in multiple locations across the MENA region. The multi-disciplinary consultant was tasked to enhance and create a vibrant entertainment environment, combined with a variety of gaming and dining experiences, either as an integral element or a standalone location.
The latest Yalla! Bowling branch is located in the northeast of Riyadh at Atyaf Mall and is the third Yalla! Bowling destination in the Saudi capital, following Al Qasr Mall and Riyadh Park Mall.
Materials are chosen to be robust and neutral, acting as a backdrop to the main attractions within, and the combination of digital screens and themed artwork creates an environment suited to all age groups. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 restrictions during the height of the pandemic, Havelock One’s KSA-based fit-out team managed to implement the project within a tight timeline of five months.
Products and materials specified and sourced internationally that caused logistical challenges were addressed with temporary solutions from local providers; Havelock One’s factory in Askar, Bahrain manufactured all joinery, seating, tables and feature ceiling items as well as the F&B counter and bulkhead made of laminated patterned glass.
Photographer: Jamal Al-Mousa
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Aura Living opens new store at The Dubai Mall
Saudi home furnishing brand, Aura Living, opened its newest store at The Dubai Mall on 1 June. Upholding aura’s commitment to offer international designs redefined to suit the unique wants and needs of Middle Eastern customers, aura continues to expand its presence in the region.
Located on the lower ground floor of the mall near the Fountain exit, the new store was opened in celebration of the brand’s 10-year anniversary, designed with the traditional brand colours blended with dark grey hues and metal accents that visually represent what Aura Living has emanated for the past decade.
Upon entry, visitors are immersed on a journey of the senses, with illuminated LED lights and a captivating digital screen at the entrance showcasing an array of striking visuals.
The newly launched Spring Summer21 collection is on full display at the store which highlights curated designs inspired by the 1970s with a modern twist.
From warm cinnamon rust and classic silver to trendy seafoam hues, aura brings forward a sense of airiness, serenity, and intrigue into the home for the season.
The Sahara collection of dining tables and chairs with its crossed legs in metallic gold offer a grand yet homey feeling. The Nesna coffee table makes for a great welcome in the lounge or living room.
Commenting on the new store opening, Miles Young, Managing Director of aura Living said “We are immensely proud to be opening aura’s newest store at The Dubai Mall, giving our customers the chance to shop in the heart of the city. We stand by our promise to provide the best of international trends especially curated to suit the taste of our audience and we look forward to further expansions in the region.”
Staying true to its brand philosophy ‘a way of living’, aura Living continues to expand in the region and offer quality and affordable home furniture designs that are the epitome of warmth and hospitality, and now in the heart of Downtown Dubai.
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Majid Al Futtaim appoints AECOM to deliver consultancy services for Mall of Saudi project
Majid Al Futtaim has awarded a four-year contract to global infrastructure consulting firm AECOM to provide lead consultancy services for its flagship Mall of Saudi development.
With the project set to break ground in Q4 this year, the announcement marks an important step in further delivering Majid Al Futtaim’s master-planned landmark mixed-use development, Riyadh North. The development is situated in the fastest growing zone in the city and provides an unparalleled gateway to brands and partners who are seeking to access a dynamic young population with a high appreciation of best in class retail, leisure and F&B.
AECOM’s contract will see the firm deliver lead design consultancy for pre-contract and post contract construction supervision for Mall of Saudi which is expected to house over 600 stores across 300,000sqm gross leasable area. Mall of Saudi is envisaged as an integrated lifestyle destination that will host the largest ski slope and snow park in the Middle East, luxury hotels and branded residences covering approximately 2,000 keys and spanning 214,000 square meters of built-up area.
The mall will feature a flagship Carrefour hypermarket and 31 VOX Cinema screens, including the world’s largest IMAX, and a Magic Planet. To date, leasing progress for the flagship retail space stands at approximately 50% of the gross leasable area for both issued and signed proposals, excluding Ski Saudi.
Ahmed Galal Ismail, Chief Executive Officer at Majid Al Futtaim – Properties, said: “The contract appointment with AECOM marks a major milestone for the Riyadh North development and is a meaningful step in the progression of Majid Al Futtaim’s anchor development, Mall of Saudi. As a long-term private sector partner, Majid Al Futtaim is fully committed to investing in the Kingdom and ensuring that its retail, leisure and real estate projects play a meaningful role in contributing to Vision 2030. We look forward to breaking ground on this exciting project in Q4 this year, bringing us closer to ensuring Riyadh takes its position on the global map as a top 10 city destination and to unlocking future foreign direct investment by acting as a landmark global development.”
Hamed Zaghw, Chief Executive, AECOM Middle East & Africa, commented: “We are delighted that Majid Al Futtaim has chosen AECOM to deliver its flagship retail destination in Saudi Arabia. The award is testament to our strong relationship with Majid Al Futtaim and their trust in our integrated offer, global reach, and local knowledge. The win reaffirms our commitment to supporting Vision 2030 through the delivery of large-scale, transformational projects that create long-lasting impact in the communities they serve.”
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Dubai Festival City Mall launches an exclusive art exhibition
To celebrate the holy month, Dubai Festival City Mall is bringing a unique, one-of-a-kind art exhibition for its visitors throughout Ramadan. The 15 art display stands will showcase the 99 names of Allah in a beautiful exhibition located in various places around the mall. Furthermore, the first one hundred visitors to the exhibition each day will receive an art collector book to take home to extend the experience.
The mall will also host a live painting demonstration where a specially selected artist will produce exceptional pieces of art to create a mural across a space on the first floor of the mall. Customers can catch the show on weekdays from 4pm-10pm and weekends from 5pm-11pm.
In line with the Ramadan tradition of helping others, Dubai Festival City Mall will be giving back to both its customers and the Al Jalila Foundation throughout the holy month. Customers that spend AED200 at any of Dubai Festival City Mall Restaurants and cafes will get a chance to play the memory game on Festival Rewards app and win a Festival City Mall gift card worth AED50. For everyone that plays the special game hosted on the app, Dubai Festival City Mall will donate AED 10 to the Al Jalila Foundation.
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