Dubai hotels brush off concerns over JBR mall

Louise Birchall, September 3rd, 2012

A 1km-long mall being planned along the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) area of Dubai is expected to increase footfall to the hotel and F&B hotspot.

However, concerns have been raised via social networks over the impact of the development on traffic levels on the popular ‘The Walk’, which is often heavily congested with cars.

“We are of course studying the various traffic-flow options that are being discussed and liaising with Dubai Properties to ensure that the flow of traffic from the hotel onto the Walk is done as quickly and seamlessly as possible,” David Thomson, chief operating officer of Jebel Ali International Hotels, which will operate the Ocean View Hotel opening soon along JBR, told Hotelier Middle East.

The mall will also add a number of F&B options, details of which are yet to be revealed, to the already crowded stretch, but hoteliers have said the development will attract more guests to JBR balancing the additional supply.

“The new retail and leisure development will bring more foot fall to The Walk to the benefit of all F&B outlets in the area. We have also undertaken a considerable amount of research to ensure that the new dining experiences we will be offering in Ocean View Hotel will complement the existing F&B offering on The Walk,” explained Thomson.

Christian Muhr, cluster general manager of Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Resort & Residence, which features a number of F&B venues including BICE and Wavebreaker, added: “It is nice to see this prime plot of land being developed. Based on the presentations that we have seen on the project, we are sure that it will further enhance the JBR area.”

The development, to be built by Meraas Holding, will be a low-rise building running from the Hilton Hotel at one end to the Sheraton at the other and is expected to be completed within 18 months.

A spokesperson for Mövenpick Jumeirah Beach declined to comment on the development, while other hotels in the area including Sheraton, Rotana and Sofitel were unvailable for comment.