Dubai reveals plans for a mega mall three times the size of Downtown

Dubai is known and loved for thinking big, from the tallest buildings in the world to bold plans that aim to make it the best city to live in.

And now comes one of its most ambitious projects yet. Dubai Square is on the way and it is set to be a sprawling 7.4 million square metre residential destination with its own mall, a wildlife sanctuary and several new leisure hotspots.

Set in Dubai Creek, the development will include 10,000 homes, more than 1,500 hotel rooms and a 7,500 square metre retail district.

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The mega project is being developed by Emaar Properties, the same team behind Burj Khalifa, and it stems from the vision of founder Mohamed Alabbar.

Alabbar shared the announcement on social media, revealing that Dubai Square Mall will be three times the size of Downtown Dubai and will cost a cool Dhs180 billion to build.

He also confirmed that the entire project is expected to be completed and open within three years.

Dubai Square Mall will support the growing electric vehicle market by offering dedicated EV facilities, creating a modern and sustainable shopping experience.

There are also plans for a drive-through mall experience and the use of AI to introduce smart, innovative shopping solutions.

How long has Dubai Square been planned for?

The full Dubai Creek Harbour project has been in the pipeline for years with the first announcement made in 2018.

And, plans for the tower at the harbour were first announced in 2016 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. When announced, the tower was meant to be completed by 2020.

Original plans for the Dubai Creek Tower proposed it would be taller than the Burj Khalifa.

Original plans were on an even greater scale with the mall believed to have at one time been planned to be even bigger than the world’s biggest – Dubai Mall.

The proposed tower was also planned to be taller than the Burj Khalifa. This has since been scaled down with a 500m tall tower which Mohamed Alabbar has described in recent days as a ‘female Burj Khalifa’.

There have been several delays to the project, but after a period of adjustment by Alabbar, all now seems to be back on track.

What will be at Dubai Square?

Current plans for Dubai Square include plenty to get excited about, even if you think you have seen it all when it comes to Dubai’s mega projects.

The 7.4 million square metres of residential space will include 500,000 square metres of gardens and open areas, as well as pedestrian-friendly streets.

It will boast 10,000 residential units, 1,500 hotel rooms and a retail district ‘approximately the size of Dubai Mall’ according to the listing on the Creek Beach property information website.

This site also says that a ‘technologically-enhanced Ice Adventure’ and a rooftop waterpark are part of the plans for the shopping and entertainment mall at Dubai Square.

And, a new Music, Colour and Fire Plaza has been announced for Dubai Square which will be powered by Chinese technology.

A design for the Dubai Square project has been finalised. Credit: Supplied

The project also includes the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a prominent biodiversity site in the UAE.

Emaar Properties has been eager to highlight that the development will make use of AI to analyse and predict the needs of retailers and visitors to the future site.

A new metro service linking Dubai International Airport and Dubai Square is also in the plans.

The project offers a range of modern real estate embodying the architectural style of Dubai Creek’s waterfront, including a wide selection of apartments, duplex units, and penthouses suitable for all lifestyles.