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Largest shopping centre (total area)

Largest shopping centre (total area)
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Who
Dubai Mall
What
1124000 square metre(s)
Where
United Arab Emirates (Dubai,)
When
04 November 2008

The largest shopping centre is the Dubai Mall, located within Downtown Dubai, UAE, which covers 1,124,000 m² (12.1 million ft²). Consisting of four levels and with an internal floor area of 548,127 m² (5.9 million ft²), it comprises 350,244 m² (3.7 million ft²) of gross leasable area with 1,200 retail outlets and over 160 food and beverage outlets. Construction began in 2004, with the mall opening its doors on 4 November 2008.

The mall includes an aquarium, an Olympic-size ice rink and a 22-screen cineplex.

Location and Key Facts About the Largest Shopping Centre 

Shopping centres are places of commerce, community, and socialization. The large space available makes these locations welcoming to a large sum of people at any given moment. No shopping centre in the United Arab Emirates compares to the sheer scale of the Dubai Mall, which takes up 1,124,000 m² (12.1 million ft ²) of land.  

Presently, the impressive four-story building is both a local centre point and tourist attraction in its own right, but a mall at this scale was not built overnight. Construction began in late 2004 with strong efforts made by construction companies Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), Tuner Construction, and Balfour Beatty. The initial opening date was set for 2006, but issues with delays and later with developing parking spots (as noted by Emaar Malls in 2008), amongst other challenges ultimately caused the mall to be opened on 4 November 2008.  

Internally, the mall features around 1,200 retail outlets within its 548,127 m² (5.9 million ft²), amongst other means of entertainment. While stores can change quite easily, large-scale expansion projects since the opening over 16 years ago are quite a rarity.  

The first came in December 2012 when in order to make transportation easier for visitors, the Metro Link bridge was added. The walkway allowed there to be a connecting point between the metro and the shopping centre. Moreover, the space is both comfortable and engaging for people, as the bridge has air-conditioning and all glass panels to allow for impressive views.  

The second expansion project was started the year after when just under 93,000m² (around 1 million ft²) was added to the already gargantuan mall. The project was finalized in 2018. Amongst this new space, new hotel rooms, parking areas, restaurants, and more were added.  

In more recent years, whispers of new expansion plans have arisen. Emaar Properties in 2024 revealed their intentions to add 240 more stores to the wide array of options already present. The project will cost an estimated $408 million (1.5 billion dirham; £314.55 million).  

The founder of Emaar Properties, Mohamed Alabbar spoke of his excitement over the project: “The new Dubai Mall expansion is a great addition to one of the most visited sites in the world. This expansion reflects Dubai’s ambitious vision to remain at the forefront of global innovation and culture, further solidifying our city’s position as a top global destination.”  

Clearly, the efforts placed in expanding and maintaining the mall have been worthwhile, as last year an estimated 111 million visitors walked through the shopping centre.  

The Significance of Mega Shopping Centres 

No matter the size, malls have been a space that allowed convenient access to stores and that was the purpose the inventor of malls, Victor Gruen, had when he started formulating the idea in the 1950s. He was the mastermind behind the Minnesota-based Southdale Center. Part of Gruen’s goals with creating this mall was to find areas of success within America’s “car-centric” alignment.  

Three decades later, the idea of mega shopping centres came into fruition with Canada’s West Edmonton Mall, which included a zoo, mini golf, and other features alongside shops. The age of malls being utilized exclusively for store-based-commerce ended and an age of malls being a space for community and fun arose.  

As for being an economic centre point, malls due to their widespread appeal can attract many people through their doors. With all the investments made through infrastructure, business, and focusing on customer experience, the Dubai Mall can make a significant profit and help influence a sizable chunk of Downtown Dubai’s economy. While net profits can vary year to year, the Dubai Mall has been consistently successful with recent years showing them gross over $127 million (£98 million).  

Unmatched Shopping and Retail Options 

Luxury oozes from the wide array of store options that are in the Dubai Mall. High-end fashion seems to be a particular place of focus and interest at the mall. Chanel, Prada, Cartier, Hermes, and more are all offering quality clothing for those that care to invest in clothing pieces. Beyond clothing, luxury accessory brands like Bottega Veneta are in the building. As for companies that are more generally affordable, Adidas, Zara, COS, H&M, and more are offered.  

Beyond Shopping: Entertainment and Attractions 

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Outside of the world of commerce, the mall offers various engaging activities for the public. Every ounce of available space is taken advantage of in order to serve visitors a chance to interact with varying attractions and hospitality offerings.  

Those who enjoy physical and athletic activities will find the trampoline park, haunted attraction (Hysteria), aquarium, Olympic-size ice rank, and go-karting. For those that prefer a calmer adventure, classics like art exhibits and cultural experiences (i.e. the human waterfall), a 22-screen cineplex, and spa. 

For refuelling and relaxation, there are well over 160 food and beverage choices including short-stop locations like the popular Starbucks. For a more sit down and global culinary experience one can visit French restaurant La Maison Ani, try bao buns at Din Tai Fung, the delectable Italian-influenced Gia, and more. Also, there are hotel rooms within the parameter of the mall.  

Other Gigantic Shopping Centres Around the World 

Despite no mall being larger than the Dubai Mall, there are other impressive large malls throughout the world.  

For instance, in America, the largest mall is the Mall of America in Minnesota. The whopping 520,257 m² (5.6 million ft²) mall features a wide array of stores including American-mall classics like Forever 21, Nordstrum, and Macy’s. Moreover, one can have a day of adventure with indoor an amusement park, Nickelodeon Universe, amongst other attractions.   

Also, while exploring the ideas of mega-malls it should be noted that there are claims online that there is a larger shopping centre in Iran, the Iran Mall located in northwest Tehran, but as yet Guinness World Records has not received evidence for this, so Dubai Mall remains the current record holder until such a time as there is a verified new record. 

The Dubai Mall showcases an impressive feat of man-made infrastructure and innovation. The giant building brings together commerce, entertainment, culinary delight, respite, relaxation, and attractions. The popular tourist and local shopping centre provide ample space for exploration and adventure. With upcoming updates to the complex, one can only imagine what the future for the shopping centre holds.  

Words written by Sarah Payne.  

Header: picture of outside Dubai Mall. Picture Credit: Dario Ciraulo/Unsplash.