Dubai Mall commences massive expansion work to welcome 100 million annual visitors

The massive expansion of The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination has commenced in preparation to welcome over 100 million annual visitors to the mall. With the first phase expansion by 1 million sq ft, the fashion portfolio of the mall will be further strengthened, enhancing the city’s high-end retail offerings.

Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, in a press release, said: “The Dubai Mall expansion project builds on Dubai’s new Tourism Vision 2020 announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and the city’s focus on offering high-end retail and leisure attractions for residents and visitors from around the world.

“Our strategy to create compelling new retail and lifestyle experiences also supports the city’s growth outlook of further strengthening its core economic sectors, including retail, tourism and hospitality. The current expansion will redefine Dubai’s retail sector, cementing its reputation as a global hub for the latest in fashion.” Having welcomed over 65 million visitors in 2012, and a record 20 million visitors in the first three months of the year, the highest so far during a three-month period, the expansion of The Dubai Mall will further underline its global standing as the world’s most visited shopping and lifestyle destination.

To be expanded further, the Fashion Avenue in The Dubai Mall will add new and personalised flagship stores of the world’s most renowned brands. The overall expansion will also bring in other high-end lifestyle and entertainment brands to The Dubai Mall.

Shoppers can experience the unparalleled ambience of strolling along foliage-rich walkways with water features, set on a strip lined by premium stores. In addition, they can enjoy a wide new range of F’&’B additions being added along Burj Lake and overlooking The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.

The new spectacular additions to The Dubai Mall are being implemented with minimal impact on the ongoing mall operations. Visitors will continue to have full access to the mall’s 1,200 stores, the 200 F’&’B outlets and diverse array of leisure attractions, as work continues to add new features.

With the first phase expansion work now progressing, modifications have been made to the Fashion Avenue to assure a seamless experience for visitors. An alternate Fashion Avenue entrance and valet parking area have been set up in the parking lobby of Fashion Parking Level 3. Full valet services are also provided from the Grand Drive and at Downtown Dubai roundabout entrances.

Further building on Downtown Dubai’s appeal as the most sought-after destination, the mall expansion will also add a choice of residential, commercial and hospitality components, with impressive views of The Dubai Fountain, and Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Residents and visitors become part of the vibrant Downtown Dubai lifestyle experience and will have direct access to the retail and leisure choices on Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, billed to be one of the world’s most prestigious boulevards offering luxury retail and dining options.

The Dubai Mall has several world-class leisure attractions including Dubai Aquarium ‘&’ Underwater Zoo, with thousands of aquatic animals; SEGA Republic, the largest of its kind indoor theme park; KidZania, the dedicated children’s city; Dubai Ice Rink, an Olympic sized ice rink; and the 22-screen Reel Cinemas.

The Dubai Mall is centrally located in Downtown Dubai, the 500-acre mega development of Emaar described as ‘The Centre of Now.’ The Waterfront Promenade of the mall offers splendid views of The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, and is one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Dubai.