Mall of the Emirates set for makeover

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Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Group will embark on its biggest expansion plan to date at Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates, it was announced today.

Scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2010, the project will include increased shopping, dining and parking facilities with “just under half a billion dirhams” to be invested in the new space.

Since its launch in 2005 the mixed-use development, strategically located in the heart of New Dubai, has emerged as a landmark destination with residents and tourists. This year alone, the mall was voted Superbrands’ Brand of the Year and the Best Mall Award at the Grazia Style Awards.

The expansion will add several important facilities to the existing mall structure, including an additional 10,500m² of gross leasable area for retailers and service providers.

“This major investment for the UAE’s favourite shopping destination is imperative in order to meet the increasing demand from newer retailers, who seek a presence in the mall. Since we opened in 2005, we have broken many records, some of which were only meant to be achieved much later,” said Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, vice president, Mall of the Emirates.

“With a footfall averaging over 2.4 million a month, it is no surprise that more and more retailers want to be a part of Mall of the Emirates,” he enthused.

Home to 466 retailers, Mall of the Emirates incorporates iconic brands including the Middle East’s first indoor ski resort and snow park SkiDubai and Kempinski Mall of the Emirates.

The new building will expand the Mall of the Emirates luxury brand portfolio. “Our mall has emerged as a well-established shopping and leisure destination and, already incorporates a host of top attractions as well as the most popular retail brands in the market,” Sharaf said.

The development will be carried out in phases, starting with the mall extension. This will be followed by upgrades to car parking with 750 new spaces for vehicles and the Metro link access, which has an anticipated completion date of September 2009 to coincide with the scheduled opening of the new service.

“When complete, the expansion will offer customers a truly VIP experience, with dedicated parking facilities, stunning interior architecture, dining and a mix of haute couture flagship fashion stores,” Sharaf said.

The extension will be created in the south area of the Mall, adjacent to Entrance Three, in the space currently occupied by the outdoor fountain. The new building will enjoy the same architectural style as the existing mall, continuing its neo-classical galleria scheme over three levels.

Visitors to the new extension will enter through the Welcome Court, before continuing into the grand interior rotunda with stepped colonnaded arcades and a domed roof.

The ground floor will be dedicated to food and beverage, with a number of unique dining concepts being introduced, while the first and second floors will offer a mix of luxury wares and high end fashion. The central plaza will contain a water feature that will provide a relaxing focal point.

There will be direct access to the new extension, with drop-off points to all levels and, valet parking on the first floor for customer convenience.

Plans are in place to ensure the green landscaping at the extension site is preserved. The outdoor fountain, a popular feature with shoppers, will be packed away and used at another Majid Al Futtaim property, while the trees are being relocated to alternative areas within Mall of the Emirates.

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