Dedicated jewellery precinct featuring traditional Arab architecture

Arabesque bronze sculptures depicting Middle Eastern culture

Centerpiece is the treasury dome, a 25m x 13m atrium

Dubai, UAE; May 28, 2008: The Dubai Mall, the flagship project of Emaar Malls Group LLC and one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, is going to house the world's largest indoor Gold Souk. A dazzling precinct with a collection of over 220 gold and jewellery retailers, including a selection of dedicated cafés and restaurants, the exquisitely designed Gold Souk experience culminates at the treasury dome, a 25m x 13m atrium - a dynamic projection ceiling with ever-changing multimedia shows.  

Designed by Northpoint architects, the Gold Souk recreates the traditional charm of an Arabian souk reflecting the rich regional heritage of the gold trade. Walking through its meandering corridors and themed courtyards, The Gold Souk reveals the journey of the travelling merchants crossing the desert expanse to trade gold and other commodities - the main north entrance begins the story with life-size bronze camel sculptures resting under a starry sky and an Arabian stallion in the south entrance.  Accentuated with decorative gold and marble detailing, the Gold Souk's traditional theme is a key attraction to The Dubai Mall.

Mr Jim Badour, CEO of Emaar Malls Group, said: "The Dubai Mall is redefining the shopping and leisure experience with its rich array of components, including the world's largest indoor Gold Souk. The Gold Souk is much a tribute to the region's rich heritage as to further strengthening the gold and jewellery trade, for which Dubai is renowned globally."

He added: "Visitors to the Gold Souk will be greeted with a new and exciting experience at every turn of their journey. The Gold Souk will offer a route of discovery following the journey of varying themes, designs and colours, culminating with the amazing treasury dome that will project images depending on the time of day. There are also themed courtyards with iconic bronze sculptures of a stallion, gold palm tree, camels, and falcons that celebrate Arabic heritage."  

The Dubai Mall has a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft and gross leasable space of 3.77 million sq ft, which is equivalent to the size of 50 football fields. The mall will feature over 1,200 stores, including two anchor department stores and 120 food & beverage outlets.

Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall, explained: "The Gold Souk will be a key launch attraction with its charming journey-like experience through elaborately themed areas leading to the main treasury dome. Both a tourist attraction and a jewellery shopper's paradise, the Gold Souk adds to the overall entertainment factor of The Dubai Mall."

Other key components of the mall include a world-class Aquarium featuring 33,000 living animals; an Olympic-size Ice Rink; KidZania®, a children's 'edu-tainment' concept; Fashion Avenue, a dedicated haute couture precinct; The Grove, an indoor-outdoor streetscape with fully retractable roof; a SEGA indoor theme park; and a 22-screen cineplex along with car parking facilities for 14,000 cars.

Emaar Malls Group, the shopping mall business subsidiary of Emaar, is also developing Dubai Marina Mall within the Dubai Marina community; Cairo Gate - Egypt's largest outdoor shopping and entertainment destination; and a number of shopping malls within Emaar's master-planned communities in the Middle East, North Africa and Indian Subcontinent.

-Ends-

About Emaar Malls Group LLC:
Emaar Malls Group LLC, is the retail and shopping mall subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, a leading property developer based in Dubai, and drives its diversification into shopping malls. This is in line with Emaar's Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world. Emaar has announced investments in shopping malls of over US$4 billion (AED 15 billion) with 12 million sq ft of retail property in operation or under development in the emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia and is on target to become one of the largest developers of shopping malls in the world.

At the forefront of these developments is the flagship The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest malls in the heart of the Downtown Burj Dubai. Opening in late 2008, The Dubai Mall will be a premier lifestyle and entertainment destination. Emaar Malls Group is also developing two other malls in Dubai; Souk Al Bahar, an Arabesque shopping and entertainment development on The Old Town Island which is now open, and the Dubai Marina Mall, a lifestyle shopping mall for residents of the Dubai Marina community opening towards the end of 2008. Recently, Emaar Malls Group unveiled Cairo Gate, Egypt's largest shopping mall and leisure destination at the Cairo-Alexandria Project site, a mixed-use development spread over 160 acres.

About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC is one of the world's largest property development companies and is rapidly evolving to become a global provider of premier lifestyles. Emaar Properties, which has a strong presence in 36 global markets, has expanded into shopping malls in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world through a two-pronged approach of geographic expansion and business segmentation. For more information visit www.emaar.com.

For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home / Roisin Lillis
ASDA'A Public Relations                                
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East & North Africa
Tel: (+971 4) 334 4550;
Fax: (+971 4) 3344 556  
E-mail: k.home@asdaa.com, r.lillis@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2008