Mall of Emirates plans Dh500m expansion

Mall of the Emirates, owned by the Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Group, has embarked on a major expansion programme costing about Dh500 million. The funds will be invested in new space.

The project, which will see the addition of facilities for shopping, dining and parking will be completed by the first quarter of 2010, said a statement issued by the MAF Group.

The expansion will add several important facilities to the existing mall structure, including an additional 10,500 square metres of gross leasable area for retailers and other service providers; a direct link for Dubai Metro commuters and increased parking spaces to accommodate 750 vehicles.

The new building will expand the Mall of the Emirates luxury brand portfolio.

Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Vice-President, Mall of the Emirates, said: "This investment 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."

"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," he said.

The development will be carried out in phases, starting with the mall extension. This will be followed by car parking upgrades, adding approximately 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.

At present the two-level shopping centre features 466 international brands including 220,000 square metres of department stores, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing outlets, the largest Carrefour in the city and more than 60 stores that are unique to the centre.

"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 3, in the space currently occupied by the outdoor fountain. The new building will enjoy the same architectural character 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 the 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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