Dubai’s Meydan mega mall on track for 2020 launch

Dubai’s new mega mall and entertainment complex, Meydan One, is set to meet its launch deadline of early 2020, in time for the staging of the UAE’s first World Expo.

The lifestyle and retail destination, which is expected to be a big hit with visitors to the city, is part of Dubai’s Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City development, and will feature the world’s largest dancing water fountain, which will span 380 metres.

When completed, Meydan One will house 580 retail outlets including 30 anchor stores, 80 flagship luxury stores, 190 dining venues and a 13,200-square-metre hypermarket.

It will also house major tourist attractions including a 1km ski slope, a heritage village, a beach and water park and hotels, as well as the fountain, all located across indoor and outdoor spaces oriented by an iconic retractable sky lit atrium space named the Canyon.

“We are changing the way the Middle East thinks of mall concepts today,” said Fahad Kazim, vice president – Meydan Malls, Meydan Group.

“Meydan One has been envisioned as a ‘place for everyone’, which means it seeks to accommodate varied needs and expectations.”

Meydan One, the structure of which is 60 percent complete, will also house a multipurpose civic plaza with a capacity to host 30,000 people. It will facilitate a diverse range of cultural and entertainment activities.

Visitors will also be drawn to the 8.2km Crystal Lagoon featuring more than 500 metres of white sandy beaches, an exclusive beach club with a lounge area, as well as activities such as sea kayaking, paddle boats and water park facilities for adults and kids.

An Experience Zone is another facet of the project, offering innovative entertainment, traditional and extreme sports, edutainment and e-gaming experiences. It will also feature a multi-purpose sports arena with regulation-size courts and designated versatile multi-sports areas.