AED1bn Mall of the Emirates extension opens
Dubai’s iconic Mall of the Emirates, famous for its massive indoor ski slope, has taken the wraps off its AED1bn (US$272 million) extension.
Covering some 36,000 square metres, or the equivalent of almost nine football fields, the new wing, dubbed ‘Evolution 2015’ by mall owner Majid Al Futtaim, adds new top-end retail, dining and entertainment experiences to one of the emirate’s most popular malls.
More than 40 retail outlets including 20 fashion retailers, some of which are making their regional debut, plus 12 dining establishments, are located in the new wing.
Newcomers include premium British fashion house, AllSaints; yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand, lululemon athletica; and Australian swimwear brand Seafolly.
Later this year, leading US specialty retailer Abercrombie & Fitch will open its doors. It will be joined by new flagship stores from Majid Al Futtaim’s existing fashion brands, Juicy Couture and Jane Norman.
“The delivery of Mall of the Emirates’ Evolution 2015 is the latest milestone in Majid Al Futtaim’s culture and legacy of innovation in response to changing customer needs,” said Michael Cesarz, CEO of Shopping Malls at Majid Al Futtaim Properties.
“Our focus on premium quality of design, on the retail mix of luxury and dynamic new brands for our customers, on unique dining and entertainment experiences, and on convenience and accessibility, demonstrate Mall of the Emirates’ enduring status as the destination of choice for both residents and tourists.”
The centrepiece of Evolution 2015 is the 24-screen VOX Cinemas, the largest complex of its kind in the Middle East.
It features the first and only IMAX laser screen and the largest VOX 4DX auditorium in the region, as well as a world-first luxury cinema experience called THEATRE by Rhodes, combining fine food and film in collaboration with Michelin-star chef Gary Rhodes.
Evolution 2015 has also seen the roll-out of a new valet parking experience plus 1,300 new shaded parking spaces with a dedicated entrance.
The ambitious expansion project has been completed after 18 months, during which time 15-million man hours went into building two domes, three glass barrel roof lights, nine bridges and three escalators to connect the new wing to the existing mall.