So, remember when I told you the security was too tight around Le Mall and that’s why I couldn’t get you photos from inside? Well, the kind people behind Le Mall were nice enough to give me a tour of the almost-ready mall and unrestricted access to publish everything =D
Before you start scrolling through the album, allow me to say that I love Le Mall. It’s simple, clear design is the kind I like in a mall, where floors are clear and finding your way doesn’t make you feel like a lab rat trapped in a maze (like I feel in ABC Ashrafieh).
There’s plenty of sunshine from the glass facade and skylight above and the 5 levels have everything you might need for shopping, eating and having some fun. It also includes a few firsts, like the first GAP store in Lebanon and the first Decathlon (a whopping 3000m2 of supposedly affordable sporting goods). There’s also a do-it-yourself froyo place, YogenFruz.
The restaurant selection is pretty wide, with a CBJ, ZwZ, Olio, Scoozi, Soto, McDonald’s, Dunkin, Caribou Cafe, Crave, Spot, HotDog and Beyond and a few other ones I can’t remember, but include a french bistro and a few Arabic places.
There are two entrances, one from the highway and another on the inner road. Parking is of course free, and another nice perk is that they’re gonna have free wifi. The area directly under the steel and glass facade is open-air, and the only place were smoking will be allowed, the rest is completely smoke-free (which I think is awesome).
Most of the shops are ready to open tomorrow, but a few will open later in the month, including the 8 new CineMall movie theaters (with 1 VIP theater, keeping up with the Lebanese movie theater trend). The official grand opening is in September, but everything will be operational well before that, which is a prudent move which most Lebanese businesses botch by opening right before a holiday and messing everything up.
According to Law 174, smoking will be banned in all closed public places starting September 3rd, it is indeed a great initiative that they will enforce it before the law is in effect but what would be a really great initiative is if smoking is banned everywhere within the mall and smoking rooms are introduced.
Very nice updates! It is unfortunate though that it right on the highway! From the pictures, it looks like there is no seperation from the actual highway and the sidewalk so people can just park right there! I wonder how much more traffic this will cause…
They have 4 parking levels, a back entrance and an extra parking lot, so I don’t think it’ll be too much of a problem, perhaps same as ABC Dbayeh’s. As for the proximity to the highway, you’re right, but gives one hell of a view =P
oh that’s good to know, thanks for the response. you are right, that view is unbeatable!
Valet parking guys distorted my car. It is such a shame ! You pay them and they claim not responsible ! I am really devastated !