Two mega malls that sit as centrepieces of Nakheel’s two iconic island developments – Palm Jumeirah and Deira Islands – are marking milestones on their way towards becoming Dubai’s most premium lifestyle shopping, dining and entertainment destinations.

Nakheel Mall ... the access point for The Palm Tower.

The Dh1.2-billion ($326.71 million) Nakheel Mall on Palm Jumeirah recently marked the dismantling of a giant, 600-tonne tower crane that has been dominating the site of this mall where construction is nearing completion. The shopping facility adjoins the 52-storey Palm Tower that will host the five-star St Regis hotel.

Meanwhile, the Deira Mall, designed to be the Middle East’s largest shopping destination, witnessed the official signing of a Dh4.2-billion construction contract in February. The project will spread over one of the two islands of Deira Islands – which was previously planned as the mammoth Palm Deira – currently being developed.

The two projects form part of Nakheel Malls’ Dh16-billion expansion that will take its total retail space to over 17 million sq ft. Nakheel Malls currently has 4.5 million sq ft of retail space in operation, with another 12.5 million sq ft on the way.

Other large-scale projects in its growing portfolio include Deira Islands Night Souk, which is targeted for completion this year; Al Khail Avenue; The Circle Mall; Nad Al Sheba Mall; Warsan Souk; Discovery Gardens Mall; and major expansions to Ibn Battuta Mall and Dragon Mart.

Nakheel Mall

Construction of Nakheel Mall, whose architecture reflects the water that surrounds it, is now 85 per cent complete. Work is in progress on a 25-m-high crystal dome that sits at its centre and straddles the mall’s monorail station. All under- and above ground floor and ceiling work have been completed, with interior works, such as granite and glass fixing, well on track, according to its master developer Nakheel.

The construction site ... work on Nakheel Mall is more than 85 per cent complete.

Fit-out work is under way at major outlets at the mall and the 60,000-sq-ft, 15-theatre VOX Cinemas complex. The contractors on the project are UAE firms United Engineering Construction (Unec) and Actco General Contracting Company, who were appointed in May 2014. Rasana Engineering is the steel contractor.

Nakheel Mall, a 4.5-million-sq-ft retail, dining and entertainment destination spread over five levels, will have 350 shops, restaurants and leisure attractions. A whopping 4,000 car-parking spaces will be available on three underground parking levels. Among the striking features of the mall are two fountains, two waterfalls that cascade 65 ft into the facility and a fine-dining roof plaza that provides views of Palm Jumeirah.

The mall is linked to Nakheel’s Palm Tower and will be the access point for the 240-m ascent to the public viewing deck on the landmark hotel and residential building – which is also at an advanced stage of construction. Soaring 240 m above the island, The Palm Tower comprises a 289-room St Regis hotel, 432 luxury residences and an array of dining and leisure facilities. The hotel will occupy the first 18 floors, with fully-furnished studios and one, two and three bedroom apartments on the upper floors.

These levels are topped off by one of the world’s highest infinity pools on the 50th floor. Above that is a dining and leisure complex – a destination in itself – with the rooftop viewing deck, offering awe-inspiring panoramic views of across Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s skyline.

Deira Mall

Deira Mall, towers and boulevard are set be the biggest and most scenic retail, lifestyle and entertainment destination on Deira Islands.

Nakheel Mall ... 25-m-high crystal dome sits at its centre.

Deira Mall will be developed at a total cost of Dh6.1 billion and will be the UAE’s largest in terms of leasable space.

Unec has been given the responsibility of constructing Deira Mall as well, with construction expected to be completed in 2021.

Deira Mall will have more than 1,000 shops, cafes, restaurants and entertainment outlets across 4.5 million sq ft of leasable space, and a 3.8-million-sq-ft multi-storey car-park with 8,400 parking bays.

Its key architectural highlights include 1-km-long atrium with a retractable glass roof that will bring natural light into the complex and allow for open-air shopping during cooler months. The mall will also have a 15,000-sq-ft entertainment zone as well as sports and recreational facilities including a running track.

Deira Mall combines cutting-edge design, world-class facilities and a stunning location to bring a new dimension to Dubai’s retail sector, according to Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah.

 “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,” he adds.

The project is located in Deira Central, Nakheel’s 9-million-sq-ft mixed-use community at the heart of Deira Islands, which contains 50 residential and hotel towers, retail, mosques and fitness facilities, all set in extensive parkland.

It is one of two large-scale retail destinations by Nakheel Malls at Deira Islands, the other being Deira Islands Night Souk, which will be the world’s largest night market, with 5,300 shops and almost 100 quayside cafes and restaurants.