Already home to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai may soon boast bragging rights for the world's largest mall too. Described as a climate-controlled city by developers Dubai Holding, the Mall of the World project was officially launched a few days ago by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai Holding hasn't revealed firm dates nor a budget for the project yet, but we do know some basic information. It comprises 743,224 sq m (8 million sq ft) of floorspace, which makes it easily the largest mall in the world, a shade larger than China's Forbidden City, and about four times the size of France's Louvre Palace. However, it's still some way behind China's New Century Global Center.
The Mall of the World will feature the world's largest indoor theme park, covered by a glass dome that's left opened during the winter, in addition to a wellness district that caters to medical tourists. The project also calls for a cultural district that contains a series of locations based upon New York’s Broadway, Barcelona's Ramblas Street, and London’s Oxford Street.
A temperature-controlled street network that spreads over 4.3 miles (7 km) should keep help the estimated 1.8 million visitors per year comfortable while spending their money, and there will be 100 hotels and apartments, with 20,000 hotel rooms available for those who literally shop until they drop.
Though it reads like a fantastical project that will never happen, this is Dubai, so you never know ...
Source: Dubai Holding
