Majid Al Futtaim opens Dhs 1bn Mall of the Emirates expansion

Dubai retail developer Majid Al Futtaim has opened a Dhs 1bn expansion at its flagship location Mall of the Emirates.

The developer has added 36,000 square metres of retail, dining and entertainment space to the Dubai-based mall on a new floor.

The one-metre-thick deck sits on tops of the existing structure above anchor retailer Carrefour.

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It includes two new domes, three glass barrel roof lights, nine new bridges and three escalators as well as space for 40 retail outlets – including 20 fashion retailers – and 12 dining outlets.

Among the new brands are Britain’s AllSaints, yoga-inspired athletic apparel brand lululemon athletica and – later this year – US retailer Abercrombie & Fitch. Other brands also debuting in the region include Seafolly and Omnia Baharat.

They will be joined with new flagship stores from Majid Al Futtaim’s existing fashion brands Juicy Couture and Jane Norman.

“To achieve Majid Al Futtaim’s stated objective to double the size of our business within the next five years, we will continue to evolve and enhance existing flagship destinations such as Mall of the Emirates while developing new retail concepts of different sizes and formats that fit the needs of the communities we serve throughout the region,” said Majid Al Futtaim Properties CEO Michael Cesarz.

The expansion also features a 100,000 square foot VOX Cinema with 24-screens, claimed to be the largest in the Middle East.

It is the first and only IMAX with laser screen in the region, the largest VOX 4DX auditorium and features a luxury cinema experience called THEATRE by Rhodes, according to the company.

THEATRE, in collaboration with Michelin Star chef Gary Rhodes, aims to offer a luxury food and film experience. MAF has also added two VOX KIDS screens for children, including rooms for birthday parties.

The cinema will be flanked by restaurant venues Dean & Deluca, 800 Degrees, Eat Greek Kouzina, and Din Tai Fung.

Other additions include a new valet parking service adjacent to the Fashion Dome and Central Galleria, 1,300 shaded parking spaces and a new taxi arrival point to Ski Dubai.