South India's largest mall to be ready by 2010

Chennai: The first phase of the 18 lakh sq ft Rs 750 crore Express Avenue, billed to be south India's largest shopping mall cum commercial and hospitality complex, is expected to be ready in Chennai by early next year.

"The first phase will have 11 lakh sq ft retail space and will house about 260 retailers - anchor retailers like Lifestyle, Future Group - and others, food court, multiplex theatres," chief financial officer of Express Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, RR Aroonkumar said.

According to him, 64 per cent of the retail space has been booked and negotiations are on for the rest.

"There is cautious optimism now and we are confident of booking the balance space. The second phase will comprise of commercial office space and hotels which will start after the first phase gets stabilised."

Express Infrastructure has signed an 18-year multiplex theatre lease agreement with Sathyam Cinemas for running eight theatres inside Express Avenue.