Cityland Mall plans to bring the natural world into Dubai's retail scene. At the heart of the complex will be a 200,000 square-foot botanical garden, dubbed "Central Park".
Courtesy Cityland Group
This mall will be the "world's first nature-inspired shopping destination", developers say.
Courtesy Cityland Group
The park will also have an upper tier, with foliage and lawns covering the rooftops of businesses surrounding the central garden.
Courtesy Cityland Group
Avenues of trees and living walls composed of hundreds of thousands of plants will adorn the walkways of the $400 million complex.
Courtesy Cityland Group
Cityland Group CEO Fahimuddin Sharfuddin says the complex will harvest rainwater to irrigate its gardens.
Courtesy Cityland Group
The Cityland Group was previously best known as the creators of Dubai Miracle Garden -- the largest flower garden in the world.
Courtesy Dubai Miracle Gardens
Sharfuddin says energy-efficient glass in the skylights and facades helps to lower the mall's carbon footprint.
Courtesy Cityland Group
The first stores opened recently at Cityland Mall, and the developers are confident the entire site will be completed by the end of this year.
Courtesy Cityland Group
Retail sector analysts say there is tough competition among malls in Dubai. Another mega-mall proposed for the city is Dubai Square.
Emaar Properties
Dubai Square's design includes a winter-themed indoor adventure park, and the largest Chinatown in the Middle East.
Emaar Properties
Dubai Square draws architectural inspiration from the souks, Dubai's traditional marketplaces.
