by Brianna Crandall — September 12, 2014—Global investment holding company Dubai Holding has just announced that work is expected to commence on the first phase of what is promoted as the world’s first temperature-controlled city, containing what will be the largest mall and largest theme park in the world, during the first quarter of 2015. The $6.8 billion project in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), is projected to become a year-round destination, welcoming around 180 million visitors annually.
The 48 million sq. ft. Mall of the World mega-project was envisioned as a climate-controlled pedestrian city that will house the shopping mall, which will take the unique form of an extended retail street network; the theme park, which will be covered by a glass dome that will be open during the winter months; a dedicated wellness zone; a cultural celebration district; and a wide range of hospitality options.
Integrated pedestrian city
The new project will introduce an innovative concept of an integrated pedestrian city connected to the mall and offering a wide range of leisure, retail, cultural, wellness, recreation and hospitality options under one roof. Tourists will reportedly be able to enjoy a week-long stay without the need to leave the city or use a car. The 7 km-long promenades connecting all facilities will be covered during the summer and open during the winter, ensuring pleasant temperatures throughout the year.
Wellness district
The wellness district will cover a total area of 3 million sq. ft. dedicated to providing wellness and rejuvenation services. It will offer a holistic experience to medical tourists and their families, ensuring access to quality healthcare, specialized surgical procedures and cosmetic treatments, wellness facilities and high-end hospitality options.
Cultural district
The cultural district will be the hub for national and multinational cultural festivities and events in the UAE. It will include a dedicated theatre district with a host of venues similar to some of the world’s most renowned landmarks. The Celebration Walk will connect the cultural district to the rest of the Mall. The cultural district will include a range of conference, wedding and celebration halls with a capacity to host thousands of revelers, befitting the multicultural social fabric of Dubai.
Hospitality district
The project will see the addition of 100 hotels and serviced apartments buildings, comprising 20,000 hotel rooms, to Dubai’s hospitality sector. The project will include designated parking areas with a capacity to host up to 50,000 cars on the ground level.
According to Dubai Holding, the project will be developed in phases in alignment with the gradual growth of family tourism in Dubai. The developers plan for the city to follow the environmentally friendly guidelines of the Smart Dubai model. It will be built using state-of-the-art technology to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint, ensuring high levels of environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, says the company.
