Dubai’s Nakheel awards contract for ‘Middle East’s biggest mall’

Nakheel, the master developer behind Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah island, has signed a contract for the construction of Deira Mall, set to be the biggest shopping center in the Middle East in terms of leasable space.

Nakheel confirmed that United Engineering Construction will build the mall, which will take three years to construct, with a total development value of $1.6 billion.

Once finished, Deira Mall will offer more than 1,000 shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment outlets across 4.5 million square feet of leasable space, with its star attraction being a state-of-the-art, retractable glass roof.

The centerpiece of Deira Central, Nakheel’s mixed-use community at the heart of Deira Islands, construction of Deira Mall is set to begin by the end of March.

“Deira Mall combines cutting edge design, world-class facilities and a stunning location to bring a new dimension to Dubai’s 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,” Nakheel Chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said in a statement.

The Dubai master developer is also currently constructing Deira Islands Night Souk, which promises to be the world’s largest night market, boasting 5,300 shops and almost 100 quayside cafes and restaurants. The project is due for completion later this year.

Currently the world’s largest mall by total area is Emaar’s Dubai Mall, which covers over 13 million square feet, and is part of the developer’s Downtown Dubai complex.

Spanning 15.3 sq. km, Nakheel’s Deira Islands is expected to be home to more than 250,000 people once completed. The four-island development will add 21 km of beachfront to Dubai’s coastline.