A new temperature-controlled pedestrian city planned for Dubai, housing what developers claim will be the world’s largest mall and theme park, is set to add another 20,000 hotel rooms to the emirate.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE vice president and prime minister and ruler of Dubai, yesterday officially launched the Mall of the World project, which will be developed by Dubai Holding and located along Sheikh Zayed Road.
The theme park will be covered by a glass dome, which will be open during the winter months, while the mall alone will cover 8 million of the total 48 million square feet of the project. Instead of the usual mall format already deployed around Dubai, the new facility will feature an extended retail street network.
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Located on a plot that currently houses Dubai Police Acedemy, across Sheikh Zayed Road from Mall of the Emirates, the project will see the addition of 80 hotels, adding 20,000 rooms and catering to “all types of tourists”, and 20 serviced apartments buildings.
More details about the project posted on Twitter by Dubai Holding also indicate that the development will feature the UAE’s largest “high-end” conference hall and will have “7-star” wedding halls and services.
"The growth in family and retail tourism underpins the need to enhance Dubai’s tourism infrastructure as soon as possible,” said H.H. Sheikh Mohammed.
“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."
Additional districts within the project will include a wellness dedicated zone catering to medical tourists and a cultural celebration district. Once completed, it is expected to welcome 180 million around the year.
"Our ambitions are higher than having seasonal tourism. Tourism is key driver of our economy and we aim to make U.A.E. an attractive destination all year long,” added H.H. Sheikh Mohammed.
“This is why we will start working on providing pleasant temperature-controlled environments during the summer months. We are confident of our economy’s strength, optimistic about our country’s future and we continue to broaden our vision.”
According to the vision for the project, tourists will be able to enjoy a week-long stay without the need to leave the city or use a car. The 7km long promenades connecting all facilities will be covered during the summer and open during the winter, ensuring pleasant temperatures throughout the year.
The project will include designated parking areas with a capacity to host up to 50,000 cars on the ground level.
Dubai Cultural District will be the hub for national and multinational cultural festivities and events in U.A.E. A dedicated theatre district with host of venues similar to some of the world’s most renowned landmarks such as London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. The Celebration Walk, similar to the Ramblas Street in Barcelona will connect the cultural district to the rest of the Mall. Dubai Cultural District will also include a range of conference, wedding and celebration halls with a capacity to host thousands of revellers.
Another component of Mall of the World will be the Wellness District, which will cover a total area of 3 million square feet. It will be dedicated to providing wellness and rejuvenation services, offering a holistic experience to medical tourists and their families, ensuring access to quality healthcare, specialised surgical procedures and cosmetic treatments, wellness facilities and high-end hospitality options.
Dubai Holding chairman Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi said: "Mall of the World presents an innovative concept in the international hospitality sector, further strengthening Dubai’s appeal as a tourism hub with a wide range of options.
“This project is a product of extensive research studying international and regional tourists’ requirements and preferences. The objective is to create an integrated city with a plethora of best-in-class options within pleasant environments. The project will be developed in phases in alignment with the gradual growth of family tourism in Dubai."
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