Nakheel, Dubai-based master developer, will commence extension of Dragon Mart Mall and begin development of community retail centres in Jumeirah Park and Discovery Gardens from next year.

In an emailed statement, the company said it has signed a contract with Dar Al Handasah for the design and supervision of Dragon Mart extension which will provide additional 1.7million square feet of retail areas and add 5,000 car parking slots.

The 1.2 kilometre-long Dragon Mart, opened in December 2004, is the largest trading centre for Chinese products outside mainland China.

“The new extension design process is progressing and construction is planed to start during the first half of next year,” the company said.

In June, Emirates 24/7 reported that Nakheel was planning an extension for Dragon Mart. Similarly, it was also working on a plan for extension of Ibn Battuta Mall.

Meanwhile, Arif and Bintoak Consulting Architects and Engineers were given the design and supervision contract for the two retail centres at Jumeirah Park and Discovery Gardens localities.

The Jumeirah Park retail centre will provide 50,000 square feet of retail area, while Discovery Gardens retail center will offer 140,000 square feet of retail space. Construction on both the centres is likely to start from first half of 2012.

In 2008, Nakheel’s Retail Shopping Malls division said it plans to commence development of 13 million square feet of new retail space across five separate mega projects.