The French Centre, Almaty – construction commenced
Waterman’s Moscow and Almaty offices have recently carried out the structural engineering and MEP design for the 110,000m2 retail development; The French Centre.
Located in the heart of Almaty, Kazakhstan, the new build retail and leisure complex will comprise four storeys above ground, one at basement level and a multi-storey car park.
The 1st floor of the mall will encompass supermarkets, cafés and leisure areas as well as mass market fashion retailers; Marks & Spencer’s, Zara and C&A. High street fashion stores and brand boutiques will be situated on the 2nd and 3rd floors accompanied by small service outlets.
On the 4th floor there will be a food court, a superior entertainment zone (IMAX 3D, 4D cinema, Sega-zone and Star galaxy), a hypermarket and 400 seat conference room.
The building has been designed for a grade 9 seismic load in order to cope with the force on the structure if acceleration is induced on its mass by an earthquake. The proposed designs have all been agreed and approved by the local government institution in Kazakhstan.