The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations, is preparing for its opening on October 30, 2008.
Situated next to the Burj Dubai, the newest mall in the emirate sprawls over a total area of 12.1 million sq ft, with an internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft. This adds 3.77 million sq ft of net leasable space to the city’s booming retail sector.
Opening attractions are an aquarium and discovery centre, an ice rink, the world’s largest indoor gold souk and The Grove, the region’s first indoor-outdoor streetscape with a retractable roof.
The Dubai Mall is the flagship development for Emaar Malls Group and is a centrepiece in Emaar’s Downtown Burj Dubai mixed-use community.
The Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre features the world’s largest viewing panel and a 270 degree acrylic glass walkthrough tunnel, and is also a significant contribution to the
The main tank measuring 50 m long x 17m wide x 11m high holds over 33,000 marine animals, representing over 85 different species. There will be more than 400 sharks including 45 sand tiger sharks, 45 grey reef sharks and up to 30 spotted eagle rays.
Adding to the overall ambience is a special ‘lunar-cyclic’ lighting system that will create a theatrical effect depending on the time of day, or cater to a specific event.
Yousif Al Ali, general manager, The Dubai Mall said, “Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre is our gift to
The aquarium was developed by Oceanis Australia Group, the world’s largest aquarium owner and operator, in line with an accepted code of ethics and animal welfare policy, prescribed by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). WAZA represents over 1,300 reputable zoos and aquariums around the world and has evolved a set of well documented standards and procedures to be followed in their operations.
All animal licences and permits conform to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES). CITES is an international agreement between governments aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
Designed to the highest international specifications regarding indoor aquatic environments, the aquarium holds 10 million litres of saltwater donated and supplied through an exclusive partnership with the state owned Dubai Aluminium Company (DUBAL) and is replenished regularly. Onsite water treatment and storage facilities also ensure that the mineral and saline content of the aquarium is regulated with enough storage to supply the tank for a year.
Al Ali added, “Dubai Aquarium & Discovery Centre conforms to internationally accepted best practices in its design, development and management, and we are delighted to introduce a world class facility to the people of
Oceanis
An on-site aquaculture centre, laboratory, medical facility, food preparation area and freezers assure that the aquatic animals receive timely attention. New microchip technology will allow the staff to monitor the sharks, and measure their food intake using Bluetooth technology, which will transfer information to a main, centralised laboratory.
The Dubai Mall will feature more than 1,200 stores and over 160 food and beverage outlets. Other attractions are