Indoor-outdoor precinct with lifestyle retail outlets and cafés, Fully retractable roof among the most innovative in the world, Gant, Greg Norman, Nautica, Timberland, Nike and Golf House among confirmed retailers
Dubai, UAE; June 22, 2008: The Dubai Mall, the flagship project of Emaar Malls Group LLC and one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, is bringing to Dubai the city's first indoor-outdoor retail streetscape, a concept that further redefines the region's retail sector. Set to be an ideal lifestyle destination, The Grove at The Dubai Mall, featuring a state-of-the-art retractable roof, will offer customers the innovative experience of enjoying a year-round retail and leisure environment.
The Grove is the only precinct in The Dubai Mall where retailer store fronts have been pre-designed to tie in with the overall open-air streetscape concept. For customers, this means shopping can be enjoyed in a visually appealing and leisure-driven environment that celebrates the delights of the outdoor life. If the weather conditions are not conducive - such as days being excessively hot, humid, cold or rainy - the roof can be retracted in a few minutes using the latest transfer technology, thus giving visitors the comfort and protection of indoor shopping but with all the aesthetics to offer a strong outdoor appeal.
At The Grove, shopping and dining can be experienced year-round in a relaxing, al fresco environment with built-in design elements such as fountains, lush landscaping and upper level balconies overlooking the retail outlets. This will be particularly appealing for outdoor enthusiasts - especially the tourists who are attracted to the sunny weather conditions of Dubai.
Mr Yousif Al Ali, General Manager, The Dubai Mall said: "The Grove, a themed precinct, places strong emphasis on outdoor lifestyle, sports and leisure. The sophistication of the retail and leisure offer is matched by its retractable roof - a first for Dubai - which can open in the pleasant winter months and close to protect customers against the extreme heat of the summer months while offering the feel of an open-air outdoor streetscape. The Grove thus becomes a true celebration of outdoor living in a mall environment."
He added: "The Grove at The Dubai Mall will feature a range of active lifestyle retailers and a food & beverage offer to match. Confirmed retailers include Golf House, Nautica, Rockport, Greg Norman, Caterpillar, Merril, Gant, Adidas, Nike and Timberland, among others. The cafés and restaurants offer a casual dining experience in a relaxing outdoor environment."
The Grove also plays a key role in the overall safety parameters of the mall including a smoke extraction plan, as the roof opens automatically in connection with the mall's integrated fire alarm system. At least 30 square metre of roof area will be open before the alarm has sounded for 60 seconds, which is in line with internationally accepted safety parameters.
With a gross leasable area of 3.77 million sq ft featuring more than 1,200 stores, The Dubai Mall is an integral component of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre mixed-use development anchored by the iconic Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building and free-standing structure.
Amongst The Dubai Mall's other world-class attractions are an Aquarium with a 180 degree walkthrough tunnel; the region's first SEGA indoor theme park; an Olympic-size Ice Rink; the world's largest indoor Gold Souk; KidZania®, a unique children's 'edu-tainment' concept and a 22-screen Cineplex. In addition, there are over 14,000 undercover car park spaces and an adjoining luxury 5-star hotel - The Address, Dubai Mall - with 250 rooms and 450 serviced apartments. Set to open later this year, The Dubai Mall expects an estimated 30 million visitors within the first year of trade.
-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 in late 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
Tel: (+971 4) 334 4550
E-mail: k.home@asdaa.com
E-mail: r.lillis@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2008
