Emaar Properties has announced its 'most ambitious real estate development yet' ' The Dubai Mall project, a world-beating nine million sq ft shopping colossus.

The mall will nestle in the shadow of the proposed Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower.
The scheme will comprise a five million sq ft mall, residential and retail amenities. The mall itself will be the largest shopping space in the world, bigger than Edmonton Mall, Canada, and much larger than the Mall of America, in Bloomington, St Paul, Minnesota, a spokesman said.
'We are expecting an annual footfall of 35 million visitors in the first full year of business and an annualised growth in mall traffic of about 20 to 30 per cent,' said Ibrahim Al Hashimi, executive director, retail and leasing department, Emaar Properties.

The mall will be anchored by a waterfront atrium providing spectacular views of Burj Dubai and the surrounding skyline, and an aquarium of glass tunnels to wander among sharks and stingrays. Behind the elegance of its three-level glass facade, it will contain the largest gold suq in the world and one million sq ft of leading fashions.
An artificial lake occupying a total area of 4.3 million sq ft will add to the site's tranquillity. A residential facility of 2.5 million sq ft is planned while additional retail space will total 1.5 million sq ft. For the convenience of shoppers and visitors there will be more than adequate underground parking for 16,000 cars, with even more surface parking by lakeside slots.

The 'Mall of Malls' is an integral part of the Burj Dubai project, whose height will be disclosed as finalisation approaches. Construction is expected to begin within weeks. Hotels, private residences, cinemas and entertainment sites will radiate out in a series of ellipses from a tower that will magnetise interest and add prestige to the entire project.
With assets of Dh22 billion ($5.99 billion), Emaar already has 10 major real estate projects under way in the emirate.