A visit to a park is the quintessential family outing. A nice picnic basket, sweet and savoury eatables and ample space for the kids to run about is all a family sometimes needs. But a developer in Dubai has decided to put a twist to this age old experience by taking the outdoor trip inside of a mall. Yes, a mall.
Cityland Group, the brains behind Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden, has unveiled plans to build a 2.2 million-square-foot mega mall having nature as its core theme.
The mall will be the world’s first to feature botanical wonders inside a man-made structure. Slated to be open to visitors in the second quarter of 2018, the Cityland Mall will be a mammoth single story structure housing a vast green reserve in its centre.
The mall will have access to Global Village and will have 1.13 million sq ft of leasable space. The developer expects the project to cost AED 1.1 billion ($299 million), which is explainable when the plans include leisure attractions such as an amphitheatre, mini water park and a mini Miracle Garden.
A statement from the Cityland Group said the project would be a well-rounded shopping destination and lead a new trend in family entertainment by blending superior retail experience with ecological preservation, sustainable design, and interaction with nature.
Cityland Group chief executive and board member Fahimuddin said the new retail project would carve a niche in the country’s bustling leisure and shopping sector.
“The mall guarantees an immersive experience for all members of the family, led by a strong selection of renowned fashion retailers, convenience store, cinema theatre and dining options of both international repute and local popularity. What sets Cityland Mall apart is an open-air botanical garden, that forms the nucleus – both literally in mall architecture and symbolically as this will be the hallmark attraction,” he said.
“Families, children and environment enthusiasts will be treated to an awe-inspiring assortment of floral specimens,” Fahimuddin added.
“The expansive, 200,000 sq ft open-air garden, labelled ‘Central Park’, will be a breathing testament to nature’s rich biodiversity showcased through unique attractions, such as: mini version of the famed Miracle Garden, a mini water park, 300-year old ancient tree garden, Japanese garden, 360-degree rooftop garden, and a cluster of restaurants and al fresco cafés overlooking its scenic beauty,” he said.
Fahimuddin said the planned 3,000-seat amphitheatre and a miniature amphitheatre for children would provide a dynamic platform for performing arts throughout the year and foster a culture of community and learning amongst children in an inspired atmosphere. The open-air garden would be complemented by a walking track and help position Cityland Mall as a one-of-its-kind destination, he added.
Cityland Group Abdel Vice Chairman Naser Rahhal said the central garden was a testament to the group’s commitment to making Dubai a greener city.
“This property furthers our legacy in championing green spaces that deliver meaningful entertainment and a refreshing retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life,” remarked Rahhal.
“A central attraction within the mall, access to the park will be free of charge, and will ensure repeat visits owing to its invigorating environment that is carefully planned to cultivate a soulful experience. We are bucking the trend of visitors leaving the mall premises with only shopping bags. With Cityland Mall, they will also take home a part of nature and start the next day with rejuvenated spirit,” he added.
The developer said the mall’s interior would consist of six thematic pavilions, each displaying a distinct global culture and design style that represented the cultural diversity and eclecticism in the UAE.
Besides the vast retail and F&B space, the mall will also feature a dining area enveloped by an arch structure with wooden interiors that will form the outer-perimeter of the botanical garden and most restaurants will get uninterrupted view of the mall’s botanical wonders.
The developer added that 14 to 16 cinema screens, including a dedicated kid’s screen, would further add to the mall’s attractiveness.