Master developer Nakheel signed a contract for the construction of Deira Mall, its new shopping, dining, and
entertainment destination with a total development value of AED6.1bn and the biggest mall in the Middle East.
Nakheel confirmed that United Engineering Construction (UNEC) will build the mall, the UAEs largest in terms of leasable space, under a contract worth AED4.2bn. Construction will begin in Q1 2018, with completion in 2021.
Deira Mall, part of Nakheel Malls AED16bn expansion that will take its total retail space to over 158ha, will have more than 1,000 shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment outlets across 42ha of leasable space, and a 35ha multi-storey car park with 8,400 parking bays. The malls star attraction, a retractable glass roof will bring natural light into the complex and allow for open-air shopping during cooler months.
Nakheel chairman, Ali Rashid Lootah, said: Nakheels existing and upcoming developments are playing a vital role in delivering the Government of Dubais vision. Deira Mall combines cutting-edge design, world-class facilities, and a stunning location to bring a new dimension to Dubais retail sector. With its top-flight shopping, dining and entertainment offering, the mall will provide endless attractions for residents of Deira Islands, the wider UAE community and the millions of tourists who visit Dubai each year.
Deira Mall will be the centrepiece of Deira Central, Nakheels 84ha mixed-use community at the heart of Deira Islands, containing 50 residential and hotel towers, retail, mosques and fitness facilities, all set in extensive parkland.
Nakheel is also building several hotels and resorts at Deira Islands, including an 800-room beachfront resort and waterpark through a joint venture with Spains RIU Hotels & Resorts, and a 600-room seafront resort under a partnership with Thailands Centara Hotels & Resorts. The company has also signed a MoU with Hilton to manage a 250-room hotel and 200 serviced apartments at Deira Islands under the DoubleTree brand. More hospitality deals are in the pipeline.
Spanning 15.3 sq km, Nakheels Deira Islands waterfront city is transforming the area traditionally known as Old Dubai into a world-class retail, tourism, living, and leisure hub. More than 250,000 people will live there when the project is complete. The four-island development, which is adding 40km, including 21km of beachfront, to Dubais coastline, is paving the way for hundreds of tourism, leisure and residential developments including hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, mixed-use buildings and waterside homes.