When Dubai Mall first opened in 2008, the emirate was already home to dozens of shopping centres.
But the new mall’s total area, equating to about 200 football fields, would make it the new global benchmark, becoming Dubai’s calling card as a retail destination. Fifteen years on, Dubai Mall has managed to retain its title as the largest shopping mall in the world based on its total land area. It is not the largest when considering gross leasable space.
The mall was developed by Emaar Properties. The opening of the mall was twice delayed. It was originally scheduled for an August 2008 opening before being pushed back two months to complete infrastructure facilities. It was then delayed again from its October 30 opening before officially launching on November 4.
Right from the outset, the mall wanted to open its doors with a bang. Dubai Mall opened with about 1,000 shops. It was the second-largest mall opening in history, behind Canada’s West Edmonton Mall. Until earlier this year, the mall was officially known as The Dubai Mall, before dropping the definite article to become, simply, Dubai Mall.
Today, the mall features more than 1,200 shops, including department stores such as Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale’s. Most of the world’s most coveted luxury brands, including Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin, Versace and Louis Vuitton have addresses at the mall. It also has 200 dining locations, offering everything from fast-food nibbles to haute cuisine.
The mall’s adjoining Souq Al Bahar is an indoor souq with numerous restaurants and shops; in 2021 popular food hall Time Out Market opened in the souq.
Every year, Dubai Mall hosts an impressive 100 million people, often topping the lists of the world’s most visited retail and lifestyle destinations.
Another point of pride is its suspended aquarium. The Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo features more than 300 species of marine life, including sharks, otters and spider crabs. Sand tiger sharks, giant groupers and rays are housed in its 10-million-litre tank, and diving experiences offer visitors the chance to get up close and personal with them.
Among Dubai Mall’s most recent additions is Chinatown. Located opposite Dubai Ice Rink, the area is decorated with Chinese lanterns and traditional art. Among the offerings in the newly opened area are dining experiences, wellness centres, technology shops and art stalls.
More information available at thedubaimall.com
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Brave CF 27 fight card
Welterweight:
Abdoul Abdouraguimov (champion, FRA) v Jarrah Al Selawe (JOR)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (TUN) v Alex Martinez (CAN)
Welterweight:
Mzwandile Hlongwa (RSA) v Khamzat Chimaev (SWE)
Middleweight:
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Rustam Chsiev (RUS)
Mohammad Fakhreddine (LEB) v Christofer Silva (BRA)
Super lightweight:
Alex Nacfur (BRA) v Dwight Brooks (USA)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (JOR) v Tariq Ismail (CAN)
Chris Corton (PHI) v Zia Mashwani (PAK)
Featherweight:
Sulaiman (KUW) v Abdullatip (RUS)
Super lightweight:
Flavio Serafin (BRA) v Mohammad Al Katib (JOR)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
