rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Business » Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!
This article was first published 13 years ago

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Last updated on: June 15, 2011 20:30 IST

Image: Aquarium at Dubai Mall.
Photographs: Reuters.
Can you imagine a mall where you can skii, or have a shoal of huge fish swimming above your head?

Well, the world's most modern malls in Dubai offer you these and much more

The Dubai Mall is the world's largest shopping mall based on total area and sixth largest by gross leasable area. It was built at a cost of $20 billion.

The 10-million litre Dubai Aquarium tank, located on the ground level of The Dubai Mall, is the largest suspended aquarium in the world.

It has over 33,000 aquatic animals, comprising over 140 species.

Besides the The Dubai Mall, Mall of Emirates also offers shoppers a refreshing experience.

Check out the fantastic images of two of world's most spectacular malls...

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Aquarium at The Dubai Mall.
Over 400 sharks and sting rays live in this tank, including the largest collection of sand tiger sharks in the world.

The aquarium tank is 51 metres long, has a depth of 20 metres and height of 11 metres.

. . .

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Aquarium at Dubai Mall.
The main Guinness world record-winning acrylic panel in front of the tank offers wonderful views to people from all 3 levels of the mall.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Ice-skating rink.

The mall saw a record number of visitors with more than 60,000 tickets for the Dubai Aquarium and Discovery Centre in the first five days, after it opened.

The ice-skating rink is another big attraction here.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Gold Souk Treasury Dome.
The Dubai Mall saw a footfall of 13.5 million visitors in the first quarter of 2011, the highest since it opened.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Gold Souk Atrium.
The mall's attractions include the world's largest gold souk with 220 retailers spread across an area of 850,000 sq ft.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Grand Drive water feature.
The Dubai Mall has a total internal floor area of 5.9 million square feet and leasable space of 3.77 million square feet.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Grand Atrium.
The record of 37 million visitors was broken in 2010 when it hosted a record 47 million visitors, an increase of 27 per cent from 2009, despite the economic crises.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Indoor theme park.
SEGA Republic, a 76,000 sq ft indoor theme park, was opened on August 21, 2009. Visitors can enjoy over 150 amusement games.

...

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Platform for catwalks.
The Reel Cinemas opened in August 2009 on the second floor of Dubai Mall. Reel Cinema is a 22 screen megaplex with more than 2,800 seats.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Fountain in the mall.
The Dubai fountain shows occur every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. till 11 p.m. daily.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Entertainment zone.
The KidZania is an education with entertainment zone spread over an area of over 80,000 sq ft.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Shoppers move in the mall.
Photographs: Reuters.
It took over 4 years to construct this mega mall, which was inaugurated on November 4, 2008.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Ice rink at the mall.
The olympic-size ice rink inside The Dubai Mall is the coolest place to hang out. You can learn skating and play ice hockey here.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: A view of escalators in the mall.
Photographs: Reuters.
There are now over 1,000 shops open in The Dubai Mall.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: The Dubai Mall.
Several events and activities are conducted inside the mall throughout the year.

Click NEXT to take a tour through the SNOWY Mall of Emirates

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Snow inside The Mall of the Emirates.
Photographs: Reuters.
One of the most spectacular malls in the world, The Mall of the Emirates is located at Al Barsha district of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

It was developed by Majid Al Futtaim Properties under the leadership Peter Walichnowski.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Maria Sharapova played with Lindsay Davenport during a promotion tour inside Ski Dubai resort.
Photographs: Reuters.
The Mall of the Emirates saw an overall footfall increase by an estimated 1.3 percent to 31 million in 2010.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Indoor ski slope.
The mall has been designed by the American architectural firm, F+A Architects. The mall's biggest highlight is the Middle East's region's first indoor ski slope, Ski Dubai.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Largest indoor ski area.
With one of the largest indoor ski areas, the Mall of the Emirates offers a great ambience.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Children enjoy the snow in the mall.
Photographs: Reuters.
The mall opened in September 2005.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Mall of Emirates.
The mall is spread across an area of 223,000 square metres.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Mall of Emirates.
The Mall of the Emirates has 520 international brands, including department, fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics and home furnishing stores and the largest Carrefour store in the city.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Mall of Emirates.
Magic Planet is the largest indoor family entertainment centre in Dubai, featuring several international rides and games that have never before been found indoors.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Mall of Emirates.
Mall of the Emirates' theatres offers the latest in technology and comfort, for an enjoyable cinema experience.

Money spinner for malls: Skiing, aquariums and more!

Image: Mall of Emirates.
There are more than 85 food outlets in the mall. The mall offers the best shopping, entertainment and dining experience. And you need not wait for the winters to enjoy snow!