ABU DHABI, UAE—Two of the most iconic names in US retailing,Macy's and Bloomingdale's, are coming to thisPersian Gulf capital city in 2018. Gulf Related, ajoint venture of Related Cos. and GulfCapital, is partnering with Al TayerGroup to bring the two retailers to Al Maryah Central, a2.3-million-square-foot shopping center being developed on AlMaryah Island here.

The 205,000-square-foot Macy's location at Al Maryah Centralwill be that retailer's first store outside the US. ForBloomingdale's, which will take 230,000 square feet at the shoppingcenter, it will be the second location in the UAE and its first inAbu Dhabi. Both will be on four levels.

Kenneth A. Himmel, president and CEO of RelatedUrban and co-managing partner of Gulf Related, says Macy's decisionto establish its first international store, and Bloomingdale's itssecond store, at Al Maryah Central represents “an impactful vote ofconfidence from world-class retailers and truly establishes thecomplex as an unrivalled retail destination. Macy's andBloomingdale's are both illustrious brands, famous for theirdiverse range of merchandise, and we are delighted that theseiconic retailers will anchor Al Maryah Central and offer aone-of-a-kind experience to everyone who visits.”