The Dubai-based developer Nakheel has announced the completion of enabling works for its AED2 billion ($545m) Al Khail Avenue mall project in the city’s Jumeirah Village Triangle area.

Nakheel said it has received bids for the main construction package, with seven proposals under assessment and a contract due to be awarded around mid-July.

According to the developer, the completed earthworks have left a 600,000 cubic metre hole that could accommodate 240 Olympic-sized swimming pools or 12 Airbus A380 aircraft.

When completed, Al Khail Avenue will span nearly 200,000 sqm, with over 110,000 sqm of leasable space. There will be 350 shops, a multi-screen cinema, cafes and restaurants and a multi-storey car park with 4,400 spaces. More than 60% per cent of the shop space has been booked, Nakheel said.

With over 1.4 million sqm of leasable space either in operation or under development, the company claims its retail project portfolio is set to become the biggest in the UAE.