Dubai is about to witness a revolutionary transformation in retail and entertainment with the arrival of Dubai Square Mall, a groundbreaking project that promises to redefine the shopping experience. Currently under construction in Dubai Creek Harbour, this ambitious development represents one of the most significant retail investments in the region’s history.

What is Dubai Square Mall? Essential Facts You Need to Know

Dubai Square Mall is Emaar Properties’ latest mega-development, announced to open within three years from November 2025. The project carries a staggering investment of AED 180 billion (approximately $49 billion), making it one of the most expensive retail developments globally. According to Mohamed Alabbar, founder and managing director of Emaar Properties, the mall will be three times the size of Downtown Dubai and is designed as an indoor city spanning 2.6 million square meters.

What sets Dubai Square apart from traditional shopping centers is its revolutionary approach to retail. The mall will allow electric vehicles to move through its interior spaces, creating a hybrid mobility-retail environment that’s a first for Dubai. This innovative concept aligns perfectly with the emirate’s ambitious sustainability goals and vision for smart urban infrastructure.

The project has been in development since its initial announcement in 2018, with detailed designs completed in February 2024. Positioned as the second-largest shopping and entertainment destination in Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Square will be directly linked to the upcoming Dubai Creek Tower, creating an integrated destination that combines commerce, entertainment, and architectural innovation.

Key Statistics at a Glance

• Total Investment: AED 180 billion ($49 billion)
• Size: 2.6 million square meters
• Scale Comparison: Three times larger than Downtown Dubai
• Expected Opening: 2027-2028 (within 3 years from announcement)
• Location: Dubai Creek Harbour, Ras Al Khor
• Developer: Emaar Properties
• Unique Feature: EV-accessible interior spaces

Prime Location: Where is Dubai Square Mall?

Dubai Square Mall enjoys a strategic position in Dubai Creek Harbour, one of the city’s most ambitious waterfront developments. Located in the Ras Al Khor area, the mall benefits from exceptional connectivity to Dubai’s key landmarks and districts.

The location offers close proximity to both Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport, making it easily accessible for residents and tourists alike. The mall sits at the heart of a 7.4 million square meter master-planned community that stretches along the historic Dubai Creek, creating a unique blend of modern development and natural heritage.

Transportation and Accessibility

Dubai Creek Harbour’s strategic positioning ensures excellent connectivity across the city. Plans include a new metro service linking Dubai International Airport directly to Dubai Square, enhancing public transportation options. For those driving, the development is easily accessible via Ras Al Khor Road (E44), with Downtown Dubai just a 15-minute drive away.

The mall’s location also places it adjacent to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, a remarkable biodiversity hotspot renowned for its flamingo populations and rich ecosystem. This unique positioning allows visitors to experience both cutting-edge retail and natural beauty in one destination.

Revolutionary Features: What Makes Dubai Square Unique?

Dubai Square Mall isn’t just another shopping center it’s a glimpse into the future of retail. The development incorporates several groundbreaking features that distinguish it from conventional malls.

Electric Vehicle Integration

Perhaps the most talked-about feature of Dubai Square is its accommodation of electric vehicles throughout the mall’s interior. This unprecedented design allows EVs to move through the complex, with dedicated EV charging facilities integrated throughout the space. The drive-through mall concept reflects Dubai’s commitment to green mobility and represents a paradigm shift in how shopping centers interact with transportation.

The EV infrastructure goes beyond basic charging stations. The entire layout has been designed with vehicle flow in mind, creating seamless integration between traditional pedestrian shopping areas and vehicle-accessible zones. This innovation caters to the rapidly growing electric vehicle market in the UAE while providing enhanced convenience for shoppers.

AI-Powered Shopping Experience

Dubai Square will leverage advanced artificial intelligence systems to analyze and predict visitor behavior and retailer needs. This technology integration promises to transform the shopping experience through personalized recommendations, smart navigation, and enhanced operational efficiency.

The AI systems will support frictionless customer service, helping visitors find exactly what they’re looking for while optimizing the mall’s operations in real-time. From smart parking solutions to predictive analytics that help retailers stock the right products, technology permeates every aspect of the Dubai Square experience.

Architectural Innovation

The mall’s design emphasizes natural light and contemporary aesthetics. Skylights, sophisticated LED installations, glazed roofs, and expansive glass façades create an open, airy atmosphere that distinguishes Dubai Square from enclosed traditional malls.

The wide, pedestrian-friendly layout integrates green landscapes and open spaces throughout the complex, creating a more pleasant and sustainable shopping environment. This design philosophy reflects a broader trend in retail toward creating experiential destinations rather than purely transactional spaces.

Shopping Experience: What to Expect

With Emaar’s track record of serving more than 100 million visitors annually across over 1,500 retailers, Dubai Square benefits from decades of retail expertise. The mall will feature a comprehensive retail district approximately the size of Dubai Mall, offering an extensive mix of international luxury brands, local boutiques, and specialty stores.

Expected Retail Categories

While specific tenant announcements are still forthcoming, visitors can anticipate a diverse shopping ecosystem including:

• Fashion and Luxury: High-end international brands and designer boutiques
• Electronics and Technology: Cutting-edge gadgets and tech products
• Home and Lifestyle: Furniture, décor, and lifestyle accessories
• Beauty and Cosmetics: Premium beauty brands and specialized services
• Sports and Wellness: Athletic wear, equipment, and wellness products

The retail mix will cater to diverse tastes and budgets, from affordable everyday brands to exclusive luxury boutiques. The mall’s vast scale allows for unprecedented variety, ensuring that every visitor finds something of interest.

Dining and Entertainment

Beyond shopping, Dubai Square will offer comprehensive dining and entertainment options designed to create an all-day destination.

Food and Beverage

The mall will feature diverse international cuisines, ranging from fine dining restaurants to casual eateries and expansive food courts. Specialty coffee shops, cafés, and waterfront dining options will provide varied settings for meals and socializing. The integration with Dubai Creek Harbour’s waterfront setting means many dining venues will offer spectacular views of the creek and Dubai skyline.

Entertainment Attractions

Dubai Square’s entertainment offerings will be enhanced by cutting-edge technology. Plans include a technologically-enhanced Ice Adventure, providing unique winter sports and recreational experiences in Dubai’s warm climate. A rooftop waterpark will offer aquatic entertainment with panoramic city views, while the Music, Colour and Fire Plaza powered by Chinese technology promises spectacular multimedia experiences.

The mall will also feature dedicated spaces for events, pop-ups, and community gatherings, creating a dynamic environment that evolves with seasonal programming and special occasions. Family entertainment zones will ensure the destination appeals to visitors of all ages.

Dubai Creek Harbour: The Broader Context

Understanding Dubai Square requires appreciating its context within the larger Dubai Creek Harbour development. This ambitious project encompasses 10,000 residential homes and more than 1,500 hotel rooms, creating a complete urban ecosystem.

The development features 500,000 square meters of gardens and open areas, emphasizing walkability and outdoor living. Pedestrian-friendly streets connect residential areas to commercial zones, retail destinations, and waterfront promenades.

Nearby Attractions

Dubai Creek Harbour offers numerous attractions beyond the mall itself. The Dubai Creek Marina caters to yachting enthusiasts with world-class facilities and services. The Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary provides a natural contrast to urban development, offering opportunities for nature walks and birdwatching.

The Dubai Creek Tower, currently under construction, will serve as an iconic landmark and tourist attraction. Creek Beach and extensive promenades offer waterfront relaxation and recreation opportunities, while The Viewing Point provides panoramic observations of the development and beyond.

Sustainability and Smart City Integration

Dubai Square’s emphasis on electric vehicle infrastructure represents just one aspect of its sustainability commitment. The development aligns with Dubai’s broader push toward sustainable and smart urban infrastructure, incorporating green building practices and energy-efficient technologies.

Extensive landscaping and green spaces throughout the mall and surrounding development help create a more pleasant microclimate while supporting biodiversity. The integration of digital infrastructure, IoT connectivity, and smart building management systems positions Dubai Square at the forefront of intelligent retail environments.

Advanced parking systems will optimize space usage and reduce congestion, while building management technologies will enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. These features position Dubai Square as a model for future retail developments in the region and globally.

How Dubai Square Compares to Other Dubai Malls

To understand Dubai Square’s significance, it’s helpful to compare it with other major Emaar retail destinations.

The Dubai Mall

Currently one of the world’s most-visited retail destinations, The Dubai Mall features over 1,300 stores and more than 200 food outlets. Major attractions include KidZania, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and the Dubai Aquarium. The mall is undergoing expansion with plans to add 240 new luxury outlets, demonstrating Emaar’s commitment to evolving its existing properties alongside new developments.

Dubai Hills Mall

This family-focused destination offers over 650 shops in a design emphasizing sustainability. Solar harvesting shading systems reduce energy consumption, reflecting growing environmental consciousness in retail development. The mall serves the Dubai Hills Estate community while attracting visitors from across the city.

Dubai Marina Mall

With its waterfront location, Dubai Marina Mall offers four levels of retail across 140 stores. The marina setting creates a unique ambiance distinct from inland shopping centers, demonstrating how location influences the retail experience.

Dubai Square’s Differentiation

Dubai Square distinguishes itself through several key factors: larger scale and ambition than any previous Emaar project, unprecedented technology integration including AI and EV infrastructure, a design philosophy prioritizing sustainability and smart systems, and next-generation retail concepts that reimagine the shopping mall for the future.

Economic Impact and Investment Opportunities

The AED 180 billion investment in Dubai Square represents a major economic catalyst for Dubai and the broader UAE. The project will create extensive employment opportunities across retail, hospitality, technology, and service sectors.

For young Emirati nationals, Dubai Square represents a perfect opportunity for skill development and career advancement in cutting-edge retail and technology roles. The development will enhance property values in surrounding areas while attracting international retailers and brands seeking premium locations in Dubai.

The project reinforces Dubai’s position as a global retail and tourism destination, competing with major shopping capitals worldwide. For investors, the surrounding Dubai Creek Harbour community offers both ready-to-move-in properties and off-plan developments with strong capital appreciation potential.

Planning Your Future Visit

While Dubai Square remains under construction, forward-thinking visitors and residents can start anticipating what the experience will offer.

What to Anticipate

The drive-through shopping capabilities will represent a completely new way to experience retail, combining the convenience of car-based shopping with the variety of a mega mall. AI-assisted navigation will help visitors efficiently explore the vast 2.6 million square meter space, while extensive green spaces and outdoor areas will provide respite from shopping.

The mall’s event programming and seasonal activities promise to create a dynamic destination that offers something new with each visit. Family facilities will ensure comfortable experiences for visitors with children, while the integration of entertainment, dining, and retail creates opportunities for all-day visits.

Staying Updated

As construction progresses toward the anticipated 2027-2028 opening, following official Emaar Properties announcements and Mohamed Alabbar’s social media channels will provide the latest updates. Construction milestones and tenant announcements will offer previews of what to expect from this revolutionary development.

The Vision Behind Dubai Square

Dubai Square stems from the vision of Mohamed Alabbar, the same entrepreneurial leader behind iconic developments including Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountain. This track record of creating world-class destinations lends credibility to the ambitious plans for Dubai Square.

The project reflects Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, which envisions the city as a global hub for business, tourism, and innovation. By pushing boundaries in retail design, technology integration, and sustainability, Dubai Square embodies the forward-thinking spirit that has defined Dubai’s rapid development.

As global retail evolves in response to e-commerce and changing consumer preferences, Dubai Square represents a bold bet on experiential retail—the idea that shopping centers must offer compelling experiences that cannot be replicated online. The integration of EV infrastructure, AI technology, extensive entertainment, and beautiful design aims to create a destination worth visiting regardless of shopping needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Dubai Square Mall open?

Dubai Square Mall is expected to open within three years from its November 2025 announcement, targeting a 2027-2028 opening timeline.

How big is Dubai Square Mall?

The mall spans 2.6 million square meters—approximately three times the size of Downtown Dubai—making it one of the largest retail and entertainment destinations globally.

Can you drive electric cars inside Dubai Square Mall?

Yes, Dubai Square is designed to accommodate electric vehicles throughout its interior, with dedicated EV charging facilities integrated into the mall’s infrastructure.

Where is Dubai Square Mall located?

Dubai Square is located in Dubai Creek Harbour, specifically in the Ras Al Khor area along the historic Dubai Creek.

What makes Dubai Square different from Dubai Mall?

Dubai Square differentiates itself through EV integration, advanced AI technology, larger scale, next-generation retail concepts, and a greater emphasis on sustainability and smart infrastructure.

How much is being invested in Dubai Square?

The total investment in Dubai Square is AED 180 billion (approximately $49 billion), making it one of the most expensive retail developments in history.

Will there be hotels at Dubai Square?

The broader Dubai Creek Harbour development includes more than 1,500 hotel rooms, providing accommodation for visitors and tourists.

Is Dubai Square connected to public transport?

Yes, plans include a new metro service connecting Dubai International Airport directly to Dubai Square, in addition to existing road connectivity via major highways.

What retail brands will be at Dubai Square?

Specific brand announcements have not yet been made, but the mall will feature a mix of international luxury brands, local retailers, and specialty boutiques across approximately 7,500 square meters of retail space.

Is construction currently underway?

Yes, Dubai Square is currently under construction, with detailed designs completed in February 2024 and development progressing toward the anticipated 2027-2028 opening.

Conclusion: Dubai’s Retail Evolution

Dubai Square Mall represents more than just another shopping center it symbolizes the evolution of retail in the 21st century. By integrating electric vehicle infrastructure, artificial intelligence, extensive green spaces, and world-class entertainment, the development creates a blueprint for future retail destinations worldwide.

The AED 180 billion investment demonstrates confidence in Dubai’s continued growth as a global hub for tourism, commerce, and innovation. As the mall takes shape over the coming years, it will serve as both a retail destination and a showcase for how technology, sustainability, and design can transform urban experiences.

For residents, tourists, investors, and retailers, Dubai Square offers unprecedented opportunities. Whether you’re planning a future shopping trip, considering property investment in Dubai Creek Harbour, or simply following the evolution of retail and urban development, Dubai Square deserves attention as one of Dubai’s most significant projects.

As construction progresses toward the 2027-2028 opening, stay connected through official Emaar Properties channels for the latest updates, tenant announcements, and opening celebrations. Dubai Square isn’t just building a mall it’s creating the future of retail, one innovative feature at a time.

Dubai Creek Harbour continues to attract prestigious developments alongside Dubai Square. If you’re interested in exploring other iconic Dubai projects, discover the Shahrukhz by Danube – Shah Rukh Khan’s luxury tower that’s making waves in the real estate market. For those looking at retail developments in other emerging areas, the South Bay Mall in Dubai South offers another exciting shopping destination serving Dubai’s growing southern corridor.

Last Updated: November 2025 | Information based on official Emaar Properties announcements and recent media reports