The structure of the mall utilizes more than 13,000 tons of structural steel or around twice the amount utilized in the Eiffel Tower.

The Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Center clinched the Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Acrylic Panel, measuring 32.88 meters wide x 8.3 meters high x 750 mm thick, and weighing 245,614 kg!

Centrally located in the heart of the Downtown Burj Dubai Development, The Dubai Mall is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious shopping and entertainment destinations. Surrounded by architectural marvels such as the Burj Khalifa, The Address Dubai Mall Hotel, The Lake Hotel, and the Dubai Fountain, it forms the vibrant core of Dubai’s most exclusive district.

Project Overview

Developer & Contractor: Constructed by a joint venture between Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) and Dutco Balfour Beatty, the project is a feat of modern engineering and coordination.
Total Area: The development spans approximately 5 million m² of commercial property, making it one of the largest mall complexes globally.

Key Features

• Mall Area: A massive 515,000 m² of retail space spread across four levels, equivalent to the size of 50 soccer fields, housing over 1,200 retail outlets, including flagship stores and luxury brands.
• Parking Facilities: A 550,000 m² parking area accommodates 14,500 vehicles, distributed across two 10-level parking structures and two underground levels, ensuring seamless access for visitors.
• District Cooling Plant: A dedicated facility with a capacity of 42,000 refrigeration tons, ensuring efficient climate control across the entire complex.

A Destination Beyond Shopping

The Dubai Mall is more than a retail center—it’s a world-class entertainment hub, home to:

• Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
• Dubai Ice Rink
• VR Park
• Reel Cinemas
• KidZania
• A wide array of fine dining, casual eateries, and cultural attractions

A World-Class Destination for Retail, Leisure, and Entertainment

Anticipating over 30 million visitors in its first year of operation, The Dubai Mall is not only one of the largest shopping centers in the world but also a premier global destination for entertainment, culture, and lifestyle. With more than 120 food and beverage outlets, 95 elevators, and 150 escalators, the mall offers an unmatched experience in scale and sophistication.

Signature Attractions

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
Home to over 40,000 marine animals, including 400+ sharks, this attraction features a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel and the world’s largest acrylic viewing panel, measuring 32.88m wide × 8.3m high × 750mm thick, and weighing 245,614 kg—a Guinness World Record holder.

Discovery Centre
An immersive, educational experience focused on marine ecology, designed to engage visitors of all ages in environmental awareness and conservation.

Dubai Ice Rink
An Olympic-sized skating rink equipped with a 200m² LED screen, offering public skating sessions, events, and entertainment in a dynamic, climate-controlled environment.

Gold Souk
The world’s largest indoor gold market, featuring over 220 retailers, blending traditional Arabian charm with modern luxury.

Fashion Avenue
A dedicated haute couture precinct showcasing the world’s top luxury brands. It includes a retractable fashion catwalk and a state-of-the-art dynamic LED multimedia feature, making it a hub for fashion events and exclusive launches.

The Grove
A 260-meter-long indoor/outdoor streetscape with a fully retractable roof, offering a unique open-air shopping and dining experience in the heart of the mall.

Construction Challenges

The construction of The Dubai Mall was an extraordinary feat, not only due to its technical complexity but more so because of its unprecedented scale and the diverse range of architectural and technological features integrated into the project.

Key Challenges

• Scale and Complexity
  With over 13,000 tons of structural steel, the engineering demands were immense.
  The mall spans 515,000 m² of retail space and includes a 550,000 m² parking area, making it one of the largest developments of its kind globally.
• Workforce Management
  At peak construction, the site hosted approximately 24,000 personnel, including over 800 staff, 10,000 laborers, and numerous subcontractors.
  Managing 29 nominated and over 40 domestic subcontractors required exceptional coordination and logistics.
• Manpower Strategy
  During Dubai’s construction boom, recruiting, retaining, and managing such a large workforce was a major challenge.
  To streamline operations, the mall was divided into six zones, each managed by a dedicated Construction Manager with independent resources.
• Structural Segmentation
  For structural integrity, the mall was divided into 35 separate reinforced concrete buildings, each separated by movement joints.
  These joints posed significant challenges, particularly in the design and installation of roof skylights, which often had to span across multiple buildings.
• Integration of Advanced Systems
  The inclusion of state-of-the-art multimedia, audio-visual, and electronic systems added layers of complexity, requiring precise coordination between architectural, structural, and MEP teams.

Overall, the Dubai Mall has played a crucial role in shaping the economic, social, and cultural dynamics of the area.