Developer on track for further growth in Dubai's retail sector

Dubai, 24 November 2016

A new link connecting Ibn Battuta Mall with the Dubai Metro was officially opened today by Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah, marking the completion of an AED135 million expansion at the world’s largest themed shopping mall.

The Mall-Metro link is the second element of Nakheel’s Ibn Battuta phase one expansion, which also includes a 300,000 sq ft extension to the mall that officially opened earlier this year. A second, 4.7 million sq ft expansion, is under way.

The two-storey, 210 metre walkway means Dubai Metro and bus users can now directly access the mall and its 400 shops, restaurants and attractions. The link itself features 90 new retail and dining outlets including a food court – the second at Ibn Battuta Mall – with around 20 restaurants. 

Ali Rashid Lootah, Nakheel Chairman, said: “Today marks yet another major milestone for Nakheel and its rapidly-growing retail development portfolio. We continue to enhance and upgrade our existing malls with new facilities and attractions that benefit customers and retailers, while at the same time delivering a new and diverse range of retail and leisure developments.

“Nakheel Malls’ project portfolio is set to become the largest in Dubai, with more than 17 million square feet of leasable space in operation or in the pipeline.”

With more than 20 million visitors a year, Ibn Battuta Mall is already one of Dubai’s ‘must-see’ destinations. The Metro link is a natural progression for Ibn Battuta that will inspire more people to discover its stunning architecture, intriguing history and retail offering – and encourage those who would normally use the car to switch to public transport, said Nakheel.

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Media contact:  Rebecca Rees on +9714 375 9702 (rebecca.rees@nakheel.com )

About Nakheel (www.nakheel.com )
Nakheel is one of the world’s leading developers and a major contributor to realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: to create a world class destination for living, business and tourism. Nakheel continues to deliver and enhance an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai across the residential, retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Our master developments include Palm Jumeirah, The World, Deira Islands, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Warsan Village, Dragon City, International City, Jebel Ali Gardens and Nad Al Sheba.  Together, these span more than 15,000 hectares and currently provide homes for over 270,000 people. Nakheel has more than 21,000 residential units under construction or in the pipeline.

Nakheel’s current and future retail project portfolio covers nearly 17 million square feet of leasable space.  Developments include Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart 1 and 2, Golden Mile Galleria, Nakheel Mall, The Pointe, Deira Mall, Deira Islands Night Souk, Warsan Souk, Al Khail Avenue, The Circle Mall and Nad Al Sheba Mall, as well as major extensions to Dragon Mart (renamed Dragon City) and Ibn Battuta Mall.  The retail profile also includes several neighbourhood community centres.

Our growing hospitality project portfolio comprises 16 hotels and serviced apartment developments with more than 5,200 rooms between them at various locations in Dubai, including Palm Jumeirah, Deira Islands, Ibn Battuta Mall, Jumeirah Village and Dragon City.

© Press Release 2016