The Dubai Mall opens at 2pm tomorrow

1. Regular opening hours 10am to midnight daily
2. Direct road access from Sheikh Zayed Road, Financial Street Road, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai and new bridge off Interchange One
3. Public unveiling of Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre at 4pm

The Dubai Mall, the flagship shopping mall by Emaar Malls Group, will open doors to the public tomorrow, Tuesday, November 4 at 2pm. The opening of The Dubai Mall marks the largest-ever opening of a shopping mall in the world in terms of retail offer. The mall will have smooth and easy access from Sheikh Zayed Road, off Financial Street Road (previously Doha Road), Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai and through the newly opened bridge off Interchange One.

Opening attractions at The Dubai Mall include over 600 retail outlets with several of them including Waitrose, Hamleys and Kinokuniya Books marking their debut in the Middle East at the mall; Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre featuring a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; Fashion Catwalk atrium with 20-metre runway; and the world’s largest indoor Gold Souk.

The Dubai Mall will mark its Opening Day celebration with a series of high profile activities featured throughout the mall. Headlining the events calendar is the public unveiling at 4pm of the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre, which has been awarded the Guinness World record for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel.’ Other opening day attractions include fashion shows, exhibits, galleries and performers.

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, said: “The Dubai Mall is a one-of-its-kind experience in the region and marks the future of retail in the region by reinventing the shopping experience for the whole family. Dubai has already established its place in the world as one of the best business and tourism destinations, and The Dubai Mall as an ambassador for Dubai, will highlight to the world the capabilities and strengths of this city.”

He added: “Everything about the mall is innovative and creative. Every detail within the mall, from floor to ceiling, has been carefully planned and executed to the highest aesthetic and architectural standards. With the mall’s world-class integrated approach to retail and leisure, we are redefining the shopping mall experience for the people and visitors of Dubai.”

The Dubai Mall will have over 1,200 retail outlets and 160 food & beverage outlets spread over a gross leasable area of 3.77 million sq ft. Over 165 retailers – or 30% of the mall’s total gross leasable area is dedicated to new retailers to the region, or brands opening up standalone stores for the first time. The mall is an integral component of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre mixed-use development anchored by the iconic Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building.

Amongst other world-class attractions at the mall are; SEGA Republic®, an indoor theme park; KidZania®, a unique children’s ‘edu-tainment’ concept; The Grove, an open air streetscape with fully retractable roof and a 22-screen Cineplex, which will all come on line in 2009. The Dubai Mall has confirmed its two department stores Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s, both making their regional debut. There are over 14,000 undercover car park spaces across three car parks and an adjoining luxury 5-star hotel – The Address, Dubai Mall – with 250 rooms and 450 serviced residences.