Whilst the "Mall of the Emirates" shopping centre with its ski slope in Dubai could already surprise by its excesses, the new construction project in the most populated Emirates city seems unimaginable.
Named "Mall of the World", the project should extend over more than 14 million air-conditioned m², with 2 million m² for stores. In addition to stores served by an enclosed, air conditioned 7 kilometre long street - including a tramway - the centre aims to become a city in the city, focused on tourism in all its forms.
It should include more than 100 hotels, with some 20,000 rooms and apartment hotels. The medical centre and fitness centre destined for tourists will occupy more than 910,000 m². In addition to the health centres (spa, gym...) it will also let visitors have surgical and cosmetic surgery operations.
A half-dome will accommodate a gigantic cultural centre, while another area will be dedicated to the largest interior amusement park in the world. Theatres, cinemas, leisure poles and art schools will be located in a cultural quarter built around a wide avenue.
Announced last July, the "Mall of the World" results from the determination of Sheikh Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai, who also holds the functions of Defence Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates. He is also the majority shareholder in the Dubai Holding construction company, responsible for making the project a reality. These constructions aim to attract 180 million potential visitors every year, mainly from the Middle East and Asia. In a press release, Mohammed ben Rachid Al Maktoum talks about the expected impact of the "Mall of the World" on the city's economy.
"This project complements our plans to transform Dubai into a cultural, tourist and economic hub for the two billion people living in the region around us; and we are determined to achieve our vision".
A diagram on the Dubai Holding website shows the scale of the project and the variety of activities that will be on offer there.
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