What’s in store at the Dubai Mall

It’s big in every sense of the word – a vast retail temple of glass and marble stretching over the equivalent of 50 football fields. Complete with one of the world’s biggest indoor aquariums, an Olympic-sized ice rink and one of the largest cinemas in the Middle East, The Dubai Mall is a landmark like no other. The UAE’s latest attraction at the foot of the world’s tallest building has more than 3.77million sq ft of retail space and will be home to 1,200 stores once fully complete. Star retailers include the 55,300 sq ft chain of high-end UK retail giant Waitrose and toy store Hamleys. The two main department stores Galeries Lafeyette from France and Bloomingdale’s from the US will open in 2009 and 2010 respectively. The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre, home to 33,000 animal species, is already attracting visitors while other entertainment venues, such as the Sega Republic gaming zone and children’s play area KidsZania, will be open in 2009. Of the 160 food and beverage outlets to be opened, 40 are already operational at the food court on level two. Visitors can access the mall from the Sheikh Zayed Road through the Old Town development or from the Financial Street Road, Emaar Boulevard, Downtown Burj Dubai and through the newly-opened bridge off Interchange One. There is parking for 14,000 cars. Adrian Murphy business24-7.ae