Dubai Mall Explained

Dubai Mall should not be confused with Dubai Marina Mall.

Dubai Mall
Native Name:Arabic: دبي مول
Location:Downtown Dubai,
United Arab Emirates
Address:Dubai downtown
Developer:Emaar Properties
Manager:Emaar Malls Group
Architect:DP Architects
Number Of Stores:1,200+
Number Of Anchors:2
Floor Area:350000m2
Parking:14,000+
Floors:4

Dubai Mall (originally known as The Dubai Mall until 2023) (Arabic: دبي مول "Dubai Mall") is a shopping mall in Dubai. The largest mall in Dubai, it is the largest mall in the world by total land area and the 26th-largest shopping mall in the world by gross leasable area, with a total retail floor area of 350000m2. The mall is part of the 20-billion-dollar Downtown complex (called Downtown Dubai) adjacent to the Burj Khalifa, and includes over 1,200 shops.[1] [2] [3] In 2011, it was the most visited building on the planet, and attracts over 54 million visitors each year.[4]

Twice delayed, Dubai Mall opened on 4 November 2008, with about 1000 retailers. In January 2023, the shopping mall announced that it was officially changing its name from "The Dubai Mall" to "Dubai Mall".[5]

Statistics

The Dubai Mall recorded 61,000 tickets sold for the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre in the first five days, following its opening.[6] The Dubai Mall hosted over 37 million visitors in 2009, and attracts more than 750,000 visitors every week.[7] [8] In 2010, it hosted 47 million visitors, and saw an increase in foot traffic by about 27 percent over 2009, despite the economic crisis (a consequence of real estate bubble burst).[9] In 2012, Dubai Mall continued to hold the title of the world's most-visited shopping and leisure destination, and attracted more than 65 million visitors, an increase of more than 20 percent compared to the 54 million recorded in 2011. It attracted more visitors than New York City which welcomed over 52 million visitors that year, and Los Angeles which had 41 million visitors.[10] [11] The number also surpasses visitor arrivals to all landmark leisure destinations and theme parks in the world including Times Square (39.2 million), Central Park (38 million), and Niagara Falls (22.5 million).[12]

Description

At over 13e6sqft (equivalent in size to more than 50 football fields), The Dubai Mall has a total internal floor area of 5.9e6sqft and leasable space of 3.77e6sqft, about the same as the West Edmonton Mall.[22]

It also has 22 cinema screens plus 120 restaurants and cafes. The Mall has over 14,000 parking spaces across 3 car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system.[23] The mall has won five awards – two awards at the Retail Future Project Awards at Mapic, Cannes, in 2004, for Best Retail Development Scheme (Large) and Best Use of Lighting in a Retail Environment[24] and the Dubai Mall brochure collected three awards at the Summit Creative Awards 2005 in Portland, Oregon – the Gold award for: Best Art Direction / Graphic Design, Silver award for Best 4-colour B2B Brochure, and a Judges Special Recognition award.

The Mall also features the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink for recreational skating and to watch the Emirates Ice Hockey League games[25] and the Emirates A380 Experience, an Airbus A380 aircraft simulator[26] and said experience lets visitors control the world's largest passenger aircraft around city scenes and famous landmarks. They can take off, land, ascend and do whatever they like with the help of a trainer.[27]

Attractions

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo inspired from "The Underwater Paradise"

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo by Emaar Entertainment, was designed by Peddle Thorp, inspired from "The Underwater Paradise". The aquarium, located in The Dubai Mall, showcases more than 300 species of marine animals, including sharks and rays. The aquarium was awarded with the ‘Certificate of Excellence’ and won the ‘Images Most Admired Retailer of the Year – Leisure & Entertainment’ at Images RetailME Awards 2012.[28] [29]

Play DXB

Play DXB is an amusement park that was formerly known as VR Park Dubai.

The 76000square feet indoor park is the world’s biggest indoor VR zone and it features 15 rides and an array of amusement games, including motion simulators, classic carnival games, skill games, and a wide array of redemption games.

The park is based around VR and arcade games. While smaller kids play at the inflatable playground and trampolines, older children can play VR games using an Oculus gaming headset, delve into a Transformers-themed adventure and many more.

It is in the same place as where Sega Republic used to be. The theme park closed on 1 June 2017, after the license to the Sega theme expired. It later reopened in February 2018 as a theme park dedicated to virtual reality under the name of VR Park Dubai.In 2022, the park was renamed to Play DXB.

Reel Cinemas

Reel Cinemas is a 22-screen cinema, also managed by Emaar Entertainment, in The Dubai Mall. One of the largest theaters in the region, the megaplex features four cinema suites and 17 commercial halls, including the first THX-certified cinema in Dubai.

Hysteria

Hysteria is a haunted house. It is decorated with special effects, fog lights, and strobe lights.[30] The story of Hysteria revolves around a family whose child mysteriously disappeared. They believe that the guest knows where their child is, so they attempt to kidnap the guest or guests and subject them to a terrifying experience.[31]

Dubai Dino

Dubai Dino is a genuine fossil of Diplodocus, a large, long-necked dinosaur. The total measurement of the Dino is over in height, and in length.[32]

Dubai Creek Tower Replica

The Dubai Mall's Grand Atrium is home to a replica of the Dubai Creek Tower, which is currently under construction. The model gives a 3D rendition of the completed tower's architecture and grandeur.

KidZania

KidZania is an interactive children-sized edutainment theme park. Kidzania is a 7,000m² scaled replica of a real city that combines entertainment and education, with over 70 real-life activities for children aged 4-16. Children can learn about different jobs through role-play, and develop decision-making, teamwork, creativity and social skills in ways that can’t be taught in a classroom.

Construction

In October 2004, Emaar Properties awarded the construction contract for building The Mall to a joint venture of Dutco Balfour Beatty, Al Ghandi/CCC[33] and Turner Construction[34] The mall, claiming to be the size of 50 "international-sized football pitches," was scheduled to be completed in 2006, but was delayed and finally opened in 2008. Most of the workers who constructed the mall were Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan guest workers.

Metro Link

In December 2012, Emaar Properties announced the completion of the Metro Link, an 820adj=midNaNadj=mid elevated, air-conditioned footbridge that connects the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro station to the mall.[35] [36]

Expansion

In June 2013, The Dubai Mall commenced phase one of its expansion plan by increasing the total retail floor area by 1e6sqft. so as to accommodate more visitors. The project was completed in 2018.[37]

In June 2024, Emaar Properties announced the building’s expansion plan, which will add 240 new luxury stores and food and drink venues.[38]

World records and achievements

Incidents

In popular culture

The Dubai Mall was featured in the documentary show called Megastructures that aired on the National Geographic Channel.[51] The mall was also featured in the BBC One programme, The Apprentice (UK series nine) and Week 5: Dubai Discount buying, where the candidates had to purchase items for the least amount of prices by utilising their negotiation skills.[52] The mall also appears in the TV show, the Grand tour.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dubai Mall . Emaar.com . 2014-02-25.
  2. News: Dubai Mall: A milestone harks back to humble origins . Gulfnews.com . 2008-11-04 . 2014-02-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090109184120/http://www.gulfnews.com/business/General/10256699.html . 2009-01-09 .
  3. Lonsway, Brian. "Mall: Very Large. Center of Now. Fast." In The Dubai Mall. Singapore: DP Architects 2012.
  4. Book: Collin Anderson . Evolution of a Retail Streetscape: DP Architects on Orchard Road . 2012 . Images Publishing . 978-1-86470-462-4 . 14.
  5. Web site: 2023-01-23 . Iconic Dubai Mall unveils new name - Dubai News Week . 2023-06-05 . en-US.
  6. Web site: Dubai Mall welcomes 60,000 visitors to new aquarium . edgardaily.com . 17 September 2015.
  7. Web site: The Dubai Mall crosses landmark 30 million visitors . The Dubai Mall . 2014-02-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120224054304/http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/news/media-centre/news-section/the-dubai-mall-crosses-landmark-30-million-visitors.html . February 24, 2012.
  8. News: Leak at Dubai Mall Aquarium Forces Evacuation . 25 February 2010 . . 25 February 2010.
  9. News: Emaar's Dubai Mall posts 27% rise in footfall in 2010 – Retail . ArabianBusiness.com . 2011-04-24 . 2014-02-25.
  10. News: Dubai Mall sees 65 million visitors in 2012 . altdubai.com . 2013-02-11 . 2014-02-25.
  11. Web site: Inbound Tour Operator| Dubai Tourism Service ALT Dubai . 2014-02-25 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20161229061657/http://www.altdubai.com/shopping-tour-dubai.php . 2016-12-29 .
  12. News: Dubai Mall claims world visitors record . The National . 2012-01-06 . 2014-02-25.
  13. Web site: Press Release Detail . emaar.com . 17 September 2015.
  14. Web site: Dubai Mall is world's most visited destination in 2011 . Arabian Business . 17 September 2015.
  15. Web site: Dubai Mall retail sales up 24% in 2012 . Arabian Business . 17 September 2015.
  16. Web site: 75 million visitors in 2013 puts Dubai Mall 'top of the shops' . 7DAYS UAE . 17 September 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151003064132/http://7days.ae/75-million-visitors-2013-puts-dubai-mall-top-shops . 3 October 2015 .
  17. Web site: Dubai Mall Sees 80m Visitors in 2014 . Gulf Business . 10 February 2015 . 17 September 2015.
  18. Web site: Emaar Malls records 37% rise in H1 2015 profits . Paromita Dey . constructionweekonline.com . 17 September 2015.
  19. Web site: EMAAR PROPERTIES RECORDS 28% GROWTH IN FY 2016 NET PROFIT TO AED 5.233 BILLION (US$ 1.425 BILLION); Q4 2016 PROFIT INCREASED BY 56% . emaar.com . 14 February 2017.
  20. Web site: EMAAR PROPERTIES RECORDS UPSURGE IN DUBAI PROPERTY SALES BY 25% TO AED 18.03 BILLION (US$ 4.91 BILLION) IN FY 2017; NET OPERATING PROFIT INCREASES BY 16% TO AED 5.70 BILLION (US$ 1.55 BILLION) . emaar.com . 14 February 2018.
  21. Web site: EMAAR MALLS CLOSES 2019 WITH 5% GROWTH IN REVENUE REACHING TO AED 4.673 BILLION (US$ 1.272 BILLION) . emaar.com . 10 February 2020.
  22. News: Dubai Mall set for August 28 opening . GulfNews.com . April 9, 2008 . 2014-02-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081015121814/http://www.gulfnews.com/business/Development/10204211.html . October 15, 2008 .
  23. News: The Dubai Mall opens with 600 retailers . Tradearabia.com . 2008-11-04 . 2014-02-25.
  24. http://www.emaar.com/Developments/Downtown/dubaimall/ The Dubai Mall
  25. Web site: Dubai Mall | Biggest Mall in Dubai | Visit Dubai. www.visitdubai.com.
  26. Web site: Top 10 Things to do in Dubai Mall apart from Shopping - MyBayut. A blog about homes, trends, tips & life in the UAE | MyBayut.
  27. Web site: 15 Things To Do In Dubai Mall. www.adameshandbook.com. 3 March 2020.
  28. Web site: www.albawaba.com, Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre Sets Guinness Record for 'World's Largest Acrylic Panel' at The Dubai Mall. https://web.archive.org/web/20081109093409/http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/237497. dead. November 9, 2008.
  29. News: zawya.com, Aquarium at The Dubai Mall scoops world record . Zawya.com . 2014-02-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110617061556/http://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20081102073634/Aquarium%20at%20The%20Dubai%20Mall%20scoops%20world%20record . June 17, 2011.
  30. Web site: Hysteria. Hysteria. The Dubai Mall. en. 2018-08-29.
  31. Web site: Home - Hysteria Dubai's First Haunted Attraction. Hysteria Dubai's First Haunted Attraction. en-US. 2018-08-29.
  32. Web site: Dubai Dino. Dino. Dubai. The Dubai Mall. en. 2018-08-29.
  33. Web site: Burj Dubai Mall . https://web.archive.org/web/20080416140819/http://www.balfourbeatty.com/bby/markets/retail/burjmall/ . 2008-04-16 . Balfour Beatty Website . 2008-04-16 . 2014-02-25.
  34. Web site: Emaar awards Dh 2.7b Dubai Mall contract. Reporter. A. Staff. Khaleej Times. 2018-12-26.
  35. Web site: Press Release Detail . emaar.com . 17 September 2015.
  36. Web site: Commuters hail Metro-Dubai Mall walkway . Shafaat Shahbandari, Staff Reporter . gulfnews.com . 17 September 2015.
  37. Web site: Press Release Detail . emaar.com . 17 September 2015.
  38. Web site: Turak . Natasha . 2024-06-05 . Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest, is getting even bigger with a $400 million expansion . 2024-06-05 . CNBC . en.
  39. Web site: Top 10 construction world record holders . ConstructionWeekOnline.com . 2014-02-25.
  40. Web site: Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre sets Guinness Record for the 'World's Largest Acrylic Panel' at The Dubai Mall . The Dubai Mall . 2014-02-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150511042353/http://www.thedubaimall.com/en/news/media-centre/news-section/dubai-aquarium-guinness-worlds-largest-acrylic-panel.html . May 11, 2015.
  41. Web site: Dubai Mall smashes record with 5 million visitors . Hotelier Middle East . 2010-03-10 . 2014-02-25.
  42. News: Dubai Mall named best shopping experience – Retail . ArabianBusiness.com . 2010-04-29 . 2014-02-25.
  43. Web site: The Dubai Mall hosts 3 million visitors over month-long shopping festival - Dubai City Guide . 2009-08-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722021759/http://www.dubaicityguide.com/site/news/news-details.asp?newsid=24486&newstype=Company%20News . 2011-07-22 .
  44. News: Aquarium leak hits Dubai Mall . Gulfnews.com . 2010-02-26 . 2014-02-25.
  45. Web site: Police resolve workers' protest in Downtown Dubai . Dana Moukhallati . thenational.ae . 17 September 2015.
  46. News: Jeremy Clarkson drives tank through Dubai mall. Newshub. www.newshub.co.nz.
  47. Web site: DUBAI MALL FLOODED WITH RAIN WATER INSIDE #dubairain #dubaimall #dubaimallflood. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/pa55P-CIuaE . 2021-12-22 . live. www.youtube.com.
  48. Web site: Emaar responds after water enters Dubai Mall during rain. Web. Report. Khaleej Times.
  49. News: Dubai's malls migrate online amid Covid-19 shutdown . Oxford Business Group . 27 April 2020 . en.
  50. News: Dubai Mall reopens under new safeguards - CNN Video .
  51. http://natgeotv.com.au/tv/megastructures/episode.aspx?id=929 Mega Structures
  52. News: Dubai. The ApprenticeSeries 9 Episode 5 of 14. BBC.