Mall of the Emirates is set for its most ambitious overhaul since opening, with Majid Al Futtaim committing Dhs5 billion ($1.37 billion) to transform the Dubai landmark into a next-generation lifestyle destination. The plan covers 100 new stores, a premium wellness club, a cultural theatre hub, and the mall's first-ever outdoor dining courtyard — all rolling out over the next several years.
100 New Stores Across Retail, Luxury, and Lifestyle
The Mall of the Emirates expansion will introduce 100 new stores spanning luxury, fashion, and lifestyle categories, adding roughly 20,000 sq m of additional retail space. Global brands including Kim Kardashian's Skims — making its regional brick-and-mortar debut — are among the confirmed tenants. The phased retail rollout is designed to position the mall as a shopping destination competitive with the world's best.
SEVEN Wellness Club at Kempinski Hotel
A standout addition is the SEVEN Wellness Club, opening at the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. The 25,000-square-foot facility will offer fitness, recovery, spa treatments, relaxation, nutrition services, and community wellness programming. Shoppers will be able to book massage treatments and wellness therapy sessions directly within the mall complex, making it a full-day lifestyle destination rather than a purely retail one.
600-Seat Theatre and Cultural Hub
Majid Al Futtaim is partnering with Dubai Performing Arts Academy to create a new cultural hub dubbed "New Covent Garden." The venue will include a 600-seat theatre along with dedicated rehearsal spaces designed to nurture artistic talent across the city. The cultural hub was slated to begin opening phases in early 2025, cementing Mall of the Emirates as a performing arts destination.
Outdoor Dining Courtyard Opening Early 2027
One of the most anticipated features of the Mall of the Emirates expansion is its first-ever outdoor food and beverage courtyard. The indoor-outdoor dining precinct will blend casual eateries with interactive entertainment, transforming into an alfresco green oasis during Dubai's cooler winter months. The courtyard is expected to open in early 2027.
Infrastructure and Access Upgrades
In collaboration with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the expansion also includes improved parking facilities, better access routes, and upgraded pedestrian bridges serving the West End district surrounding the mall.
Marking 20 Years of Mall of the Emirates
Khalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, said the investment is about far more than additional square footage. "The expansion represents more than just physical growth," he stated. "A mall exists today to offer opportunities for people to connect with each other while they pursue wellness activities and experience cultural events and gain inspiration."
The transformation marks Mall of the Emirates' twentieth year of operation and is intended to align the mall with Dubai's broader international and sustainability strategy, positioning it as an innovative lifestyle center for the next two decades.
