World’s Largest Nike Store, Abu Dhabi

Located in Yas Mall, Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest Nike Store had a tight fit-out schedule in order to open in time for the Formula-1 Grand Prix Finale in 2014. ARDEX and the contractors had just 15 days to complete a 550m² polished concrete floor that is now a striking centrepiece of the 1400m² fit-out.

Working with architects Sun & Sands Dubai, the Nike in-house design team and general contractor Bond Interiors, ARDEX worked to a client brief for a floor that would be high gloss and low maintenance, using ARDEX PC-T polished concrete topping in a grey finish.

Both day and night shifts were necessary, coordinating installation and polishing teams, in order to meet the short fit-out period required, and cold water was necessary to extend the working time in 30°C heat. Meanwhile, multiple trades were working simultaneously throughout the store area, creating traffic over the unfinished floor.

The concrete had a variation ranging from zero to 3cm when checked with a laser machine. As the client wanted a seamless floor with only structural joints, a smoothing layer of ARDEX K 80 was installed with reinforcing mesh in order to reduce the risk of cracking. After ARDEX PC-T was laid, the grinding processes followed and line marking was placed using ARDEX R 35 E to create the Nike theme on the floor.

At the opening, the completed floor was much admired by the entire team from Nike Inc. Nike were so pleased by the polished result and exceptional service provided that ARDEX has since completed similar ARDEX PC-T polished concrete floors in over 70 Nike stores.