The fledgling DLF-Laing O’Rourke joint venture in India is planning to build the largest mall in the country at an estimated cost of US $340 million. The mall is being developed in Gurgaon, part of the capital, New Delhi.
And it will rival some of the mega-malls currently being developed in Dubai, according to Ravi Kachru, executive director of projects at DLF Universal.
He said: “It will be the largest mall in the country and will be called the Mall of India. “The new shopping complex will have a built up area of 557,418 m2 and will consist of a water theme park, entertainment parks, cinema halls, food courts and shopping avenues.”
Construction work is expected to start in September this year and last for 24 months. “We have all the plans in place but due to the monsoon season that is coming up, we will wait till September before we begin the actual construction process,” said Kachru.
California-based John Jerde Partnership is the architectural consultant for the project. The DLF Laing O’Rourke joint venture has been formed by Indian real estate company, DLF Universal Limited (DLF), and UK contractor Laing O’Rourke.
The tie-up between the two firms is a major strategic move for the UK-based construction giant, which already has a strong presence in the Dubai market, where it is main contractor on the new terminal at Dubai International Airport.
It is also the main contractor on the ongoing Terminal Five project at London’s Heathrow Airport. The new company in India will undertake execution of a large number of DLF’s mega projects and is aiming to participate in large-scale BOT projects throughout the country.
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