The Dubai Mall to open on 4 November 2008

The Dubai Mall, the flagship shopping mall of the Emaar Malls Group, will open its doors to the public on Tuesday, 4 November at 2pm. The opening of The Dubai Mall marks one of the largest-ever openings of a shopping mall in the world in terms of retail offer. The mall will have smooth and easy access from Sheikh Zayed Road, off Financial Street Road (previously Doha Road), Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai and through the newly opened bridge off Interchange One.

Opening attractions at The Dubai Mall include over 600 retail outlets with several of them including Waitrose, Hamleys and Kinokuniya Books marking their debut in the Middle East at the mall; Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre featuring a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; Fashion Catwalk atrium with 20-metre runway; and the world’s largest indoor Gold Souk.

The Dubai Mall will mark its Opening Day celebration with a series of high profile activities. Headlining the events calendar is the public unveiling at 4pm of the Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre, which has been awarded the Guinness World record for the ‘World’s Largest Acrylic Panel’. Other opening day attractions include fashion shows, exhibits, galleries and performers.

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, said, “Everything about the mall is innovative and creative. Every detail within the mall, from floor to ceiling, has been carefully planned and executed to the highest aesthetic and architectural standards. With the mall’s world-class integrated approach to retail and leisure, we are redefining the shopping mall experience for the people and visitors of Dubai.”

The Dubai Mall will have over 1,200 retail outlets and 160 food and  beverage outlets spread over a gross leasable area of 3.77 million sq ft. Over 165 retailers – or 30% of the mall’s total gross leasable area is dedicated to new retailers to the region, or brands opening up standalone stores for the first time. The mall is an integral component of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre mixed-use development anchored by the iconic Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building.

Amongst other world-class attractions at the mall are; SEGA Republic, an indoor theme park; KidZania, a unique children’s ‘edu-tainment’ concept; The Grove, an open air streetscape with fully retractable roof and a 22-screen Cineplex, which will all come on line in 2009. The Dubai Mall has confirmed its two department stores Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s, both making their regional debut. There are over 14,000 undercover car park spaces across three car parks and an adjoining luxury 5-star hotel - The Address, Dubai Mall - with 250 rooms and 450 serviced residences.

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