The Galleria ... an iconic landmark.
Grand Galleria
Inspired by Milan’s architecture, the Galleria in Jeddah will bring the finest luxury brands from around the world to the city, says ABDULAZIZ KHATTAK.
01 December 2017
Jeddah's latest iconic landmark will bring a taste of the Italian city of Milan when it opens in the first quarter of 2018, and is destined to become a hub for fashion, hospitality, leisure and entertainment in both Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC.
The Galleria project that sits off Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Street – also known as Tahlia Street – has been modelled on the Galleria Vitoria Emmanuelle (II), considered to be the world’s oldest shopping mall.
The five-star establishment features 365 fully serviced guest rooms, restaurants, luxury retail outlets and a relaxing spa and health club facility, making it Jeddah’s top leisure destination hotel for tourists and families as well as for businessmen. The hotel will be managed by Elaf.
The property, which has been recently completed, is inspired by Milanese architecture and provides an exquisite haute-couture lifestyle setting, enhancing the appeal of the Tahlia district. It brings together fashion, culture, design and art while blending imagination, quality, serenity and history, according to a spokesman for Sedco Development, the developer.
A redevelopment of a 8,700-sq-m landmark off Tahlia Street, Galleria spreads over nine double-height floors, offering 2,700 sq m of retail space on the ground floor, seven levels of hotel space boasting panoramic views, and three levels of basement car-parking.
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Galleria ... inspired by Milanese architecture. |
Its net 54,000-sq-m floor space encompasses a retail zone featuring some of the finest and affordable luxury brands from around the world. Surmounted by a vaulted skylight and fronted by a frameless Spider glass façade – the first of its kind to be constructed in Jeddah, the interiors of the retail area are bathed in natural light that enhances the pedestrian-friendly ambiance of the development. The project also boasts all-around visibility over this retail area from any spot within the building.
The variety of six food and beverage (F&B) outlets, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art spa and wellness centre and hotel area create a multi-functional central mall linked to the hotel, served by a visitor drop-off point off the main road, with valet parking services. The property also features swimming pools and a tennis court.
“Galleria envisioned its meeting rooms and rooftop ballroom to address its primary target, the businessmen,” the spokesman says.
The 19th century-inspired facade along with its double-glazed glass forms a distinguished and attractive project amidst its surroundings, he remarks.
Commenting on the design, he says: “Galleria is a tribute to history, beautifully displayed by the openness of modernity, avant-garde design, and the high technology used to illuminate the interiors of this award-winning five-star hotel and luxurious shopping space in Jeddah.”
The project won the Best Architectural project at the Saudi Arabian Building & Infrastructure Summit in 2011, the spokeman says.
He says the Galleria’s interior aesthetic integrated with the neo-Renaissance design will maintain the sensibility of curated modernism and develop references for Saudi Arabia’s design history. It is also designed in response to the demands of the young generation, who seek elegance and style when searching for a comfortable and distinctive shopping destination in Saudi Arabia.
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The Galleria is spread over nine double-height floors. |
“The activity and visibility factors offer a beautiful and inspiring imagery to any visitor within its unique indoor air-conditioned space,” the spokesman adds.
In terms of engineering, its structural concrete frame creates a special architectural marvel with its unique glass facade. The frameless Spider glass facade is built using high-end stainless steel cables, offering clear views from across all floors.
The spokesman says Sedco Development is an advocate of sustainable development, which transcends across all its projects, including the Galleria.
“Developing a project over an already established plot of land is also an aspect that the developers were keen on when working on the sustainability plan,” he says.
The selection and use of high-performance and quality materials and products, including the Grohe Spa Grandera collection, which is aimed at limiting water consumption.
Galleria features an insulated facade with small window openings to reduce air-conditioning requirements, while energy-efficient lighting ensures power savings. Two large internal garden areas located in the heart of Galleria help increase oxygen levels and emphasise the greenery aspect of the project.
In addition, a grey water treatment and recycling plant for laundry and staff bathrooms is part of the Galleria’s water conservation efforts.
