DUBAI MALL

The Dubai Mall is the world's largest shopping mall based on total area and sixth largest by gross leasable area. Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it is part of the 20-billion-dollar Burj Khalifa complex, and includes 1,200 shops.Access to the mall is provided via Doha Street, rebuilt as a double-decker road in April 2009.

Twice delayed, Dubai Mall opened on 4 November 2008, with about 635 retailers, marking the world's largest-ever mall opening in retail history. However it is not the largest in gross leasable space, and is surpassed in that category by several malls including the South China Mall, which is the world's largest, Golden Resources Mall, SM City North Edsa, and SM Mall of Asia.
The Dubai Mall recorded 60,000 tickets sold for the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre in the first five days, following its opening.The Dubai Mall hosted over 37 million visitors in 2009, and attracts more than 750,000 visitors every week. while in 2010 it hosted 47 million, and saw footfall increase by around 27 percent over 2009, despite the economic crisis.In 2011, Dubai Mall became the world's most-visited shopping and leisure destination, and attracted more than 54 million visitors, the traffic was a 15 per cent increase from 2010 and surpassed 50.2 million visitors to New York City. The numbers also surpass visitor arrivals to all landmark leisure destinations and theme parks in the world including Times Square (39.2 million), Central Park (38 million), and Niagara Falls (22.5 million).

Description

Outside Dubai Mall near the Fountain.
Over 12 million sq ft (equivalent in size to more than 50 football pitches), the Dubai Mall has a total internal floor area of 5.9 million square feet (55 ha) and leasable space of 3.77 million square feet (35 ha), about the same as the West Edmonton Mall.
It also has a 250-room luxury hotel, 22 cinema screens plus 120 restaurants and cafes. The Mall has over 14,000 parking spaces across 3 car parks, with valet services and a car locator ticketing system. The mall has won five awards - two awards at the Retail Future Project Awards at Mapic, Cannes, in 2004, for Best Retail Development Scheme (Large) and Best Use of Lighting in a Retail Environment] and the Dubai Mall brochure collected three awards at the Summit Creative Awards 2005 in Portland, Oregon - the Gold award for Best Art Direction / Graphic Design, Silver award for Best 4-colour B2B Brochure, and a Judges Special Recognition award.

Dubai Aquarium and Under Water Zoo

The shark tunnel of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

The Mall's Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre, developed and operated by Oceanis Australia Group, officially earned the Guinness World Record for the world's "Largest Acrylic Panel" (32.88 m wide × 8.3 m high × 750 mm thick and weighing 245,614 kg). The acrylic viewing panel is larger than Japan's Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium (22.5 m wide × 8.2 m high and 600 mm thick). Its 750 mm thick acrylic viewing panel can withstand pressure of 10 million litres of water used in the aquarium, but its transparency gives visitors clear views of over 33,000 marine animals on display.[6] In February 2010, a leak in the aquarium caused a partial evacuation and brief shutdown of a portion of the mall.

The Mall adopted an International Standard of Ethics and Animal Welfare Policy in its development and operation.

Dubai Ice Rink

Ice Rink inside Dubai Mall.

The Mall's Dubai Ice Rink multi-purpose venue, uses refrigeration plant technology by developing 1.5 inches (38 mm) of ice bed, 2 times the thickness of an NHL ice rink for Olympic-sized attraction. Dubai Ice Rink can host a capacity of up to 2,000 guests, when converted into a multi-functional hall with world-class multimedia system including a 20 m × 10 m LED screen. Operations Manager, Richard Rowlands, a 7 years Welsh figure skating pairs champion, described it: "Dubai Ice Rink in itself is an exciting facility, bringing the first-ever Olympic-sized ice rink to Dubai. A top-class facility offering the best of, including over 1,800 pairs of skates imported from a leading manufacturer in Italy to fit children and adults of all ages and sizes, the Dubai Ice Rink will host themed nights, Learn-to-Skate programs, figure skating lessons and hockey matches.The advanced technology used at the Dubai Ice Rink ensures that the consistency of the ice-bed is maintained at all times. By incorporating the refrigerator technology of pushing in glycol through a network of pipes, and monitoring the cooling over a period of five to six days, the 38 mm ice-bed is tailored to withstand multiple activities in a safe environment."

SEGA Republic

SEGA Republic, a 76,000 sq ft (7,100 m2) indoor theme park, was opened on 21 August 2009. Visitors can enjoy over 150 amusement games; The Redemption Zone hosts one of the region's largest selection of redemption games as well as a huge selection of winnable merchandise for all ages. It is a park that is mainly dedicated to SEGA's icon Sonic the Hedgehog. The entrance to Sega Republic is located on the second floor of The Dubai Mall.

Reel Cinemas

Main article: Reel Cinemas

The Reel Cinemas opened on 14 August 2009 on the second floor of Dubai Mall. Reel Cinema is a 22 screen megaplex with more than 2,800 seats. All screens are currently open. It is the largest cinema in the region.[19] More than 10,000 visitors visited the cineplex in its opening week.[20] It is operated by Reel Entertainment LLC, a joint venture formed by Emaar Retail LLC and Singapore-based entertainment provider Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd to develop cinemas across the Middle East. The flagship 22-screen Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall is the first megaplex developed and operated by the venture, and will soon be followed by the 6-screen Reel Cinemas at Dubai Marina Mall. The Reel Cinemas is located on the 2nd level of the mall. Of the 22 screens present, there are both 2D and 3D screens available. A new movie starts at the Reel Cinemas every 10 minutes. 

Shops

The Dubai Mall contains more than 1,200 shops and is anchored by Galeries Lafayette, Debenhams, Bloomingdale's, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer.

In October 2009 it was reported that the world's largest candy store opened in Dubai Mall.

Construction

The mall was built by a joint venture of Dutco Balfour Beatty, Al Ghandi/CCC and Turner Construction[citation needed] for Emaar Properties and was scheduled to be completed in 2006, claiming to be the size of 50 "international-sized football (soccer) pitches". Most of the workers used in construction of the mall were Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan guest workers. The internal mobile phone coverage for Dubai Mall was commissioned, integrated and carried out by Motorola Dubai for Etisalat and du. Multimedia and acoustic design is by Shen Milsom & Wilke, London . Gulf precast was incharge of the precast job on the outside.

World records and achievements

Dubai Mall near the Fountain at Dusk.

Largest mall in the world with total area 1,124,000m2.

Worlds sixth largest mall with Gross Leasable Area (GLA) 350,000m2.

World’s largest acrylic panel (Aquarium) inside Dubai Mall, which is (32.88 m wide × 8.3 m high × 750 mm thick and weighing 245 tons).

World’s largest sweet shop "Candylicious" spanning over 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) inside Dubai Mall.

Dubai Mall records more than 5 million visitors in the month of March,2010 during the one-month Dubai Shopping Festival, setting an all-time record in visitor footfall

Dubai Mall has been named the best shopping experience on 29 April 2010 by Grazia Style Awards.

The Dubai Mall hosted a record 37 million visitors in its first year of operation in 2009, and attracts more than 750,000 visitors every week.

The Dubai Mall hosted a record 47 million visitors in 2010, and broke the record of 37 million visitors received last year, an increase of 27 percent despite the economic crisis.

The Dubai Mall hosted a record 54 million visitors in 2011, and broke the record of 47 million visitors received last year, an increase of 15 percent.

In 2011, Dubai Mall becomes the world's most-visited shopping and leisure destination, and attracted more than 54 million visitors thus surpassed 50.2 million visitors to New York City, the visitor numbers also surpass visitor arrivals to all landmark leisure destinations and theme parks in the world including Times Square, 39.2 million, Central Park 38 million, and Niagara Falls 22.5 million.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL CITY

Dubai International city is a country-themed architecture of residences, business, and tourist attractions. Spreading over an area of 800 hectares (8 million square meters), the arrangement of the city is inspired by the traditional carpets of Middle East. Once completed, the project will contain studio and one bedroom apartments and accommodate over 60,000 residents.

Overview

Dubai International City, embraces the residential districts of Central Business District (CBD), Persia, Greece, Spain, Morocco, England, France, Italy, Russia,China and Emirates. Apart from these districts that were initially planned for Dubai International City namely Lake District and Forbidden City are now on put on hold due to the effects of the Global Financial Recession. Some astounding attractions in the city includes the World Famous Dragon Mart which is the worlds biggest machinery and equipment market.

Projects

The Residential District

The Residential District of Dubai international city planned to have numerous country specific and themed residential developments and retail outlets. There will be commercial shops, restaurants, medical centers, a post office, police station, and transportation services.

China District

International City’s China Precinct lies at one end of the residential district. The simple lines of its two-, three- and four-storey buildings echo the Chinese mantra of harmony and balance. The traditional Chinese motifs, balconies, red tile overhangs, undulating roofs and pagodas reflect the yin of its imperial past; while nearby Dragon Mart Complex provides the yang of 21st century convenience.

England District

England Precinct mirrors traditional London architecture, especially with 18th- and 19th-century Georgian and Revivalist styles featured in its two-, three- and four-storey buildings that are topped by red gabled roofs and brick chimneys. Shop fronts on the ground floor further accentuate England Precinct’s quaint little village charm.

France District

France Cluster in Dubai International City

It features two-, three- and four-storey residential blocks characterized by long French windows, red and gray bricks, and pilasters or half-columns. All of which evoke Paris’s flair for fashion. Resembling the architecture of southern France, the traditional yellow buildings have a timeless air to them to complement the surrounding areas.

Persia District

The legacy of Persian history and the enduring popularity of its art have filtered through to every corner of the globe. This is evident in International City’s Persia Precinct. Situated in the heart of the residential district, its two-, three- and four storey buildings are decorated with traditional Islamic domes and wide-spaced arches and windows. These peach and blue colored facades lend the neighborhood an ancient character reminiscent of the ancient cities of Bam, Shiraz, Esfahan and Tehran.

Greece District

International City’s Greece Precinct lies at the edge of the residential district. The design of its three- and four-storey buildings on the other hand, travel back to the age of Homer, Aristotle and Alexander. Featuring tiled-roofs, balconies, symmetrically placed windows and white-painted walls, this precinct reminds one of the Greek architectural ideals of order and harmony.

Russia District

While Russia may have harsh winters, International City’s Russia Precinct features two- to four-storey residential buildings with cool whites and greys to offer solace from the heat of the desert. The rest of the precinct’s elements blend harmoniously like a Tchaikovsky masterpiece, with an urban design as choreographed as a Bolshoi Ballet performance.

Spain District

Spain is renowned for its artistic heritage and zest for life. These passions are captured in International City’s Spain Precinct. It’s three-and four-storey buildings are designed according to traditional stucco exterior finish, with Mediterranean oranges and peaches contrasting with brightly tiled, low-pitched roofs. Arched windows and raised entryways call to mind traditional elements of Spanish architecture, while authentic-looking balconies bring a sense of the outdoors into some of these flats. Arched doorways, windows, porches and entries round off the Spanish look.

Morocco District

With hospitality a cornerstone of Moroccan culture, International City’s Morocco Precinct provide an equally welcoming experience through the simplicity of the architecture: airy spaces and sand-coloured walls. The precinct’s three- and four-storey residential buildings are decorated with vibrant green tiles, natural terra-cottas, stucco walls and wide-arched windows.

Italy District

Italy Cluster in Dubai International City

Two- to four-storey residential blocks adhere to the Italian passion for artistry as epitomized by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The precincts dreamy landscape comes from terracotta roofs that evoke a rustic Tuscan charm, complemented by facades that are simple and pleasing in their fluidity.

Emirates

Emirates Cluster in Dubai International City

Emirates – the 10th precinct in the Residential District — lies at the northeast end. Comprising 26 low-rise apartment blocks offering studio and one-bedroom apartments, the unique design and architecture of these buildings capture the Arabian essence and timeless charm of the Emirates, providing a touch of nostalgia to thoroughly modern Dubai.

The Central District

CBD Cluster in Dubai International City

International City's Central District is spread over 21 hectares the multi-purpose Central District will be the centre of International City's commercial activity. The Central Business District upon completion will endow the central hub of the development.

The Forbidden City

The Forbidden city will encompass ans area of 240,000 square metres with parking facilities for 2,000 cars, the city is the replica of iconic Forbidden City of Beijing, China. When completed it will accommodate residential, retail, outlets, museums, and performing courts.

The Lake District

The Lake District surrounds the Al Warsan Lake a 100 hectare natural Eco system and home to nearly 200 species of birds including some of the most exotic and rare birds found in the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Asia.

A unique freshwater lake lies inside the boundaries of International City alongside the Dubai-Hatta Road. The Al Wasan lake consists of a series of interconnected wetlands of about 3 metres depth set in an arid undulating desert landscape. The Al Wasan pools were created in the 1990s when excess treated sewage effluent water was pumped from the nearby Al Weer sewage treatment plant into shallow pits which had been excavated as a quarry by a local building company. An assessment of the lake's biological characteristics and water quality in an Environmental Impact Assessment and baseline survey of flora and fauna - indicted clean water rich in aquatic life and exhibiting high biological productivity.

Dragon Mart

DragonMart provides a gateway for the supply of Chinese products in the Middle Eastern and North African Markets, offering Chinese traders and manufacturers a unique platform from which to cater to the needs of this sizeable market. Inaugurated on December 7th, 2004, the 1.2 kilometre-long DragonMart is the largest trading centre for Chinese products outside mainland China.

The 150,000 square meter dragon-shaped structure has 3,950 shops engaged in the wholesale and retail trade of a variety of Chinese products including home appliances, stationery, office appliances, communication and acoustic equipment, lamps, household items, building materials, furniture, toys, machinery, garments, textiles, footwear and general merchandise.

With over 2,500 parking spaces, the shopping centre is divided into seven zones offering an array of high quality facilities for visitors and traders alike, making it the largest Chinese commercial centre in the MENA region.

Strategically located on the Hatta - Al Ain highway, the mart is adjacent to eight fully equipped warehouses, only 200 metres away from the main complex, offering a total area of 30,000 square metres of warehousing facilities to its traders.

Dragon Mart Aerial View

Work has started on a second mart right next to Dragon Mart that will have 175,000 square metres of space and 4,500 parking spaces.

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum  (born 14 November 1982), is the Crown Prince of Dubai, and second eldest son of HH Emir Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum. He is popularly known as Fazza, the name under which he publishes his poetry.

Education

Sheikh Hamdan began his schooling in Dubai at the Rashid School For Boys and then at the Dubai School of Government. He then continued his studies in the UK where he graduated from Sandhurst and later attended the London School of Economics, but did not graduate.

Roles and Positions

On 1 February 2008, Sheikh Hamdan was named as the Hereditary Prince of Dubai. As the new Hereditary Prince, he has recently appointed new key personal and financial advisors such as a global economist and a hedge fund tycoon from HN Capital LLP. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council in September 2006. He also is the head of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Entrepreneurs, and resides on the Dubai Sports Council and the Dubai Autism Centre.

Sport

He is famous as a horse rider, and dives in Al Fujairah. He is also a semi-professional skydiver.

Personal life and family

Sheikh Hamdan is one of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 22 children. The position of the Emir of Dubai is considered consistant with the position of the head of the House of Al-Falasi. He is known for both his poetry and as a horse rider. His poems are mainly romantic, patriotic and about his family. He publishes his poems under the name Fazza . Sheikh Hamdan also has a passion for camels, cars and skydiving.