The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations, developed by Emaar Properties PJSC and located in the Dhs73bn mega-project Downtown Burj Dubai, is putting finishing touches to several retail and entertainment concepts that are a first for the region.

The Dubai Mall, with a total site area in excess of 12.1 million sq ft, is setting a new dimension in mall development with its various construction components truly epic in proportion and scale. The structural steel used in The Dubai Mall is double that deployed for the Eiffel Tower (7,300 tonnes), and the stone and tile works of 1.2 million sq ft already laid are approximately 18 times the size of a football field measuring 69,000 sq ft. The net leasable floor area will be equivalent to the size of 50 football fields put together.

The Dubai Mall is the flagship project of Emaar Malls Group, the shopping mall subsidiary of Emaar Properties. As part of Emaar’s Vision 2010 to be one of the most valuable companies in the world, Emaar Malls has aggressive expansion plans to develop and operate shopping malls in key emerging markets across the Middle East and North Africa region, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia.

Jim Badour, CEO of Emaar Malls Group said:

‘The Dubai Mall is setting a new dimension in modern engineering as well as in the roll-out of innovative retail and leisure elements. The Dubai Mall reaffirms Downtown Burj Dubai’s standing as the new centre of the city, offering an unprecedented 1,200-plus retail stores under one roof, and world-class leisure and entertainment options. It will be the region’s premier shopping and entertainment destination for residents and a major attraction for Dubai’s tourists.’

The Dubai Mall hosts a number of world-class attractions including one of the world’s largest indoor Aquariums featuring over 33,000 living animals including 400 sharks and rays. A 180-degree tunnel runs through the tank, which can hold 10 million litres of water. The Discovery Centre above is an educational centre with interactive stations with marine life.

Other attractions include the region’s first SEGA indoor theme park covering 76,000 sq ft; the world’s largest indoor Gold Souk with 220 retailers; a 440,000 sq ft fashion precinct with 70 flagship stores dedicated to haute couture; the Middle East’s first Galeries Lafayette department store; KidZania, a 80,000 sq ft children’s ‘edu-tainment’ centre; a 22-screen cineplex; an Olympic-size ice rink; and The Grove, an indoor-outdoor streetscape with fully retractable roof.

The Dubai Mall will have over 14,000 undercover car park spaces and will be adjoined by a luxury 5-star hotel with 250 rooms and 450 serviced apartments.

The main contract for the construction of The Dubai Mall was awarded to Dutco Balfour Beatty and Al Ghandi CCC in October 2004. DP Architects Pte Ltd (Singapore) are the main architects and the Project Managers are Turner Construction International.

The Dubai Mall is located in the world’s most prestigious square kilometre, Downtown Burj Dubai, which encompasses Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building. The mall complements the already thriving retail environment of the community, highlighted by Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque themed shopping mall which opened its doors in December 2007. Downtown Burj Dubai has a vibrant community life as homes in The Residences and The Old Town have been handed over to customers.

Emaar Malls Group is also developing Dubai Marina Mall within Dubai Marina; Cairo Gate - Egypt’s largest outdoor shopping and entertainment destination; and a number of shopping centres within Emaar’s master-planned communities globally.

(Published on http://www.ameinfo.com/151954.html on 1.April 2008)