Mall of the Emirates is a major mixed-use retail and leisure destination in Al Barsha, Dubai. Owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim, the complex combines a multi-level shopping mall, international hotels and large-scale entertainment facilities, positioned as a regional attractor for residents, visitors and hotel guests.
What it is and where it is
Mall of the Emirates occupies a prominent site in Al Barsha 1. The core is a three-storey shopping mall that includes retail, dining and entertainment facilities, alongside two on-site hotels: the Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates and the Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates. The development is part of Majid Al Futtaim – s wider UAE retail portfolio.
Transport and distances
The mall is directly linked to Dubai Metro – s Red Line via an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge. The nearest metro station is on the Red Line, station code R32, approximately 431 m from the mall and walkable for most visitors. Road access is facilitated by surrounding arterial roads; the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has allocated funds to upgrade roads and infrastructure around the mall to improve travel times from locations such as Abu Dhabi and Jebel Ali.
Approximate driving times reported include:
- About 18 minutes to Dubai Mall.
- About 17 minutes to Palm Jumeirah.
- About 14 minutes to Burj Al A.
Development, facilities and recent upgrades
The mall comprises retail floors, leisure attractions and hotel accommodation. A major expansion opened in September 2015 that added a third floor and 36,000 square metres of new space. The expansion introduced around 40 additional retail units (including approximately 20 fashion outlets and 12 restaurants), new parking and additional circulation elements. The construction phase reportedly employed a workforce of about 3,000 over 18 months and was carried out without interrupting trading operations.
Notable facility and retailer highlights that operate within or were introduced during the expansion period include:
- Indoor ski slope (roof-top indoor ski facility).
- Retail additions such as AllSaints, Lululemon Athletica, Abercrombie & Fitch, Seafolly, Omnia Baharat, Juicy Couture and Jane Norman (names reported as part of the expansion portfolio).
- New restaurants introduced at expansion: Dean & Deluca, 800 Degrees, Eat Greek Kouzina, Din Tai Fung.
The Vox Cinema complex at Mall of the Emirates features 24 screens, including the region – s IMAX Laser screen, a large 4DX auditorium and dedicated Vox Kids screens with an adjacent party room. The cinema complex also includes a premium dining-and-film concept marketed as Theatre by Rhodes.
Parking capacity grew as part of the expansion: 1,300 new shaded parking spaces were added, bringing the total to approximately 7,900 spaces, and a valet parking service is available. Majid Al Futtaim has announced plans to implement barrierless parking at Mall of the Emirates (alongside two other malls) beginning in January 2025.
Sustainability and operations
In June 2023 Mall of the Emirates was awarded LEED Platinum certification. The certification assessed the mall across categories including energy, water, waste, transportation and human experience. Reported operational achievements since 2018 include average annual savings of about 15 million kilowatt-hours of energy and 40,000 cubic metres of water.
The mall also operates an on-site solar photovoltaic installation on the rooftop car park comprising 7,291 solar PV panels across roughly 11,996 square metres. The solar plant is reported to reduce annual CO2 emissions by about 5,360 tonnes. For sustainability metrics cited during certification, the mall achieved high scores in Transportation and Human Experience evaluation categories.
Who the area suits
Mall of the Emirates and its immediate neighbourhood are appropriate for several groups:
- Retail and leisure visitors looking for a consolidated shopping and entertainment destination with hotels on-site.
- Hotel guests using the Sheraton or Kempinski and visitors arriving by Metro due to the direct air-conditioned connection.
- Families and groups seeking combined dining, cinema and child-focused entertainment facilities.
- Stakeholders focused on sustainability and large-scale retail operations, given the mall – s LEED Platinum status and energy- and water-efficiency measures.
FAQ
Is Mall of the Emirates connected to the Metro?
Yes. The mall is linked to the Dubai Metro Red Line via an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge. The nearest Red Line station is identified as R32 and is about 431 m away.
What are the main attractions inside the mall?
Key attractions include a roof-top indoor ski slope, an extensive retail offer across multiple floors, a 24-screen Vox Cinema complex with IMAX Laser and 4DX screens, and on-site hotels (Sheraton and Kempinski).
How has the mall been upgraded recently?
A substantial expansion opened in 2015 that added a third floor and 36,000 sqm of space with new retail and dining outlets, additional parking and circulation improvements. In 2023 the property was awarded LEED Platinum certification for its environmental performance.
What transport and parking options are available?
Visitors can access the mall by road and by Metro (Red Line). The site includes extensive parking (reported total around 7,900 spaces after the expansion), shaded parking additions and valet services; a transition to barrierless parking has been announced for January 2025.
