The world’s largest shopping centre is set to become even bigger in an incredible new development project.
The centre is already home to the world’s largest mall aquarium, an immersive digital art museum, a 26-screen cinema and a complete 155-million-year-old dinosaur skeleton.
The 12-million-square-foot shopping centre, already the largest in the world by total area, is currently home to over 1,200 retail spaces, including two anchor department stores in Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s and over 200 food and beverage outlets.
The United Arab Emirates real estate developer Emaar Properties announced the plans, at a cost of 1.5billion dirham – or just under £319.5million – to develop the Dubai Mall. The centre is set to be expanded by adding a further 240 luxury stores, as well as new food outlets.
The shopping centre, adjacent to the world’s tallest building and record-breaking Dubai Fountain, said it received 105 million visitors last year, a 19 percent rise from 2022. The planned expansions are expected to accommodate the increased footfall as the city invests in its tourist economy.
In 2023, a staggering 17.12 million people were welcomed into Dubai last year, a significant increase from the 14.36 million in 2022, according to Global Media Insights.
In November 2022, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid – the ruler of Dubai – announced a national tourism strategy until 2031, with the goal of attracting £21billion in additional tourism investments and receive 40 million hotel guests. The strategy includes 25 initiatives and policies to support the development of the sector.
While Emaar Properties have said that contractors are already mobilising on-site, they have not, however, given any indication as to when the work is expected to begin.
The expansion was described as “a great addition to one of the most visited sites in the world,” by Mohamed Alabbar, the CEO of Emaar Properties, in a press release.
“This expansion reflects Dubai’s ambitious vision to remain at the forefront of global innovation and culture, further solidifying our city’s position as a top global destination,” he said.