Home to the largest flower garden – the Dubai Miracle Garden, one of the largest aquariums – the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, and the tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is now set to add the largest mall of the world to its ever-growing list of biggest-on-the-planet structures.
In a recent announcement made by His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, it has been revealed that the ‘Mall of the World’, the first ever temperature controlled city is under works. Planned to be spread over a staggering 48 Million square foot area, it will be a one-of-its-kind tourist district.
Being developed by Dubai Holdings, a state-owned global investment company, the decade-long project is estimated to cost roughly 2.5 billion Dirham’s (US $680 Million) per year. The Mall of the World is part of Dubai’s plan to transform the city into a cultural, tourist and economic hub. With a climate controlled environment the emirates hopes to attract 180 million visitors per year to promote year-round tourism in a desert-state where temperatures are known to soar over 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the press-release and model photographs are anything to go by, this over-the-top architectural mega-project will up the ante and firmly establish Dubai as global leader in international tourism, which is the ultimate aim of the rulers of a state which, unlike other Middle Eastern areas, relies largely on its trade, retail and tourism for its income, instead of oil.
Some of the most prominent features of the proposed covered city, that are prime examples of Dubai’s unprecedented luxury and extravagance, include:
The World’s Largest Mall
Said to occupy a total of 8 million square feet of floor space, the shopping district will be the biggest in the world. It will host replicas of world-famous shopping districts like the Oxford Street of London and La Ramblas Street of Barcelona. The mall is set to introduce a new innovative concept of an integrated pedestrian city with a temperature controlled covered street network, spreading over 7 kilometers connecting all facilities. This will entirely negate the need or use of a car. This walkway will be completely covered with a glass dome structure during summers to provide protection from the scorching temperatures and be open during the winter months.
Hospitality District
This project will see the shopping district connected to a hundred hotels and service apartments in a very well established hospitality district through the covered promenades. With over 20,000 rooms available, you could have a week-long vacation inside the city without ever having to leave its parameters.
Cultural District
The Dubai cultural district is being developed to boast a plethora of national and multinational cultural events and festivities. It will be home to Dubai’s largest events center with an accommodating capacity of 15,000 people. The theater district is set to host venues similar to some of the world’s most famous landmarks such as London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. It will also include a wide range of wedding, celebration and conference halls to cater to the multicultural social circuit of Dubai.
Other note-worthy features of this city are the wellness district and the largest indoor family theme park of the world. These sections will provide wellness and rejuvenation services if so desired after a long day spent shopping and frolicking through all the amenities made available only a short walk away from one another. All in all this covered city with-in a city seems like the perfect getaway for the annual vacationer as well as the serial traveler.
