20 Times Mall of the Emirates Proved It Was ‘The Mall of New Possibilities’
Two decades on, the shopping centre marks its anniversary with a AED 5 billion transformation
Two decades ago, a mall in Dubai changed the definition of shopping forever, not only in the UAE but worldwide. With penguins waddling behind glass and an indoor ski slope that defied desert logic, Mall of the Emirates became an extraordinary destination. Now, twenty years on, it continues to expand the boundaries of what a retail venue can be, marking its anniversary with an AED 5 billion redevelopment that looks firmly to the future.
As it marks two decades, Bazaar Arabia highlights the many ways Mall of the Emirates lives up to its tagline: “The Mall of New Possibilities”
1. Zara Café
Inside Zara’s flagship store at Mall of the Emirates is the Zara Café, the first of its kind in the region, serving coffee and patisserie in complete Zara-style that mirrors the brand’s minimalist aesthetic.
2. SHARE VIP Suite
Exclusively for SHARE VIP members, the SHARE VIP Suite debuted as the world’s first space where guests could pre-book and experience the new iPhone 17 before anyone else, further highlighting the mall’s reputation for once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
3. Cle’dor Lounge
Designed as an exclusive members-only haven of luxury, Cle’dor Lounge offers VIP valet, beauty rooms, F&B options, and private concierge services, allowing members to shop in comfort while enjoying a truly personalised escape.
4. The 9 Lounge
A destination within a destination, The 9 Lounge combines work, wellness, and grooming. With serene fitting rooms, private spaces for meetings, and yes, even a barber, it completely redefines what a mall lounge can offer.
5. World-Class Hotels
Within the complex itself, two hotels — Sheraton and Kempinski — bring five-star hospitality directly to the mall, blending shopping and leisure with the ease of a luxurious stay.
6. Barrier-less Parking
Running a last minute errand or rushing to get your hands on the latest fashion drops? Fret not as Mall of the Emirates’ innovative barrier-less parking system makes visiting the mall completely hassle-free. Guests can now drive in and out seamlessly, removing the last trace of stress from the shopping journey.
7. Hands-Free Shopping
A pioneering service that lets visitors leave their bags at a collection desk, Hands-Free Shopping ensures you’re free for dining, entertainment, or simply browsing around further.
8. In-Mall Luggage Storage
As a hub for international travellers and a must-visit destination for tourists wanting an insider look into the city’s shopping scene, Mall of the Emirates offers free luggage storage at its Metro Entrance, making it simple to explore without the weight of travel bags.
9. Skims’ First Regional Store
Continuing its legacy of regional firsts, Mall of the Emirates is set to be home to the first physical Skims store in the Middle East, expected to bring Kim Kardashian’s globally recognised brand to a new audience.
10. Penguins in a Mall
History was made when live penguins appeared inside Mall of the Emirates, an unforgettable moment that showed the mall’s commitment to experiences as much as retail, and, not to forget, making it a favourite amongst families as children watch the waddling birds while their parents indulge in some retail therapy.
11. Ski Dubai
If you lived in the UAE when it opened, you probably remember the water-cooler chatter and school-run excitement about the impossible suddenly becoming the norm, because there was real snow in a mall and everyone had an opinion on it. Ski Dubai remains the world’s first indoor ski resort inside a shopping mall, a winter escape tucked into the desert that still feels delightfully surreal years later, and it continues to be the reference point people mention when they talk about how Mall of the Emirates changed the game.
12. A New Covent Garden
New Covent Garden is on the way to Mall of the Emirates, a cultural district that will bring a 600-seat theatre, the UAE’s first Pineapple Dance Studio, and new dining spaces under one roof. Programming is set to include Arabic plays, ballet, and visiting productions, so a shopping trip can be an evening out when it opens. It sits within the wider AED 5 billion transformation that will add 20,000 sqm of retail and 100 new stores.
13. A 360-Degree Experience
The mall curates shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment in one full-circle journey — an integrated lifestyle destination that continues to evolve year after year.
14. Dinner and a Movie, Reimagined
VOX Cinemas at the mall introduced the first-ever dinner IMAX experience, elevating cinema to an immersive dining and entertainment event.
15. Runway at the FASHION DOME
The FASHION DOME has become a fashion stage, regularly hosting presentations and live runways. Earlier this year, it transformed into a catwalk for Spring/Summer 2025 collections, complete with striking podiums and QR codes for real-time shopping. The 20th anniversary calendar then added the THAT Concept Store’s Fall/Winter 2025 showcase, pairing an intimate in-store preview with a public presentation beneath the glass dome.
16. VIP Valet and Car Services
At Mall of the Emirates your shopping experience starts minus all the hassle. You can simply pull up at the entrance, pass over the keys, and slip straight into browsing or dinner. While you are inside, the team takes care of valet parking, VIP drop-off and pick-up, and even on-the-spot car cleaning.
17. THAT Concept Store
A homegrown concept that fuses fashion, art, lifestyle, and dining, THAT Concept Store has reimagined what a multi-brand space can be, offering curated edits and limited-edition collaborations under one roof.
18. Roblox Goes Mallside
For Dubai Summer Surprises, Mall of the Emirates entered the metaverse, gamifying Ski Dubai on Roblox with a coin-collector challenge, showing that even virtual shoppers are part of its vision.
19. The World’s Largest Dior Store
Fan of the Saddle or Lady Dior, or looking to stock up on Oud Ispahan? Mall of the Emirates houses the world’s largest single-floor Dior boutique, the biggest of its kind in the UAE, offering an immersive experience of the maison’s universe.
20. Zimmermann’s Dubai Debut
Consider all your flowy dress needs met. Zimmermann’s first-ever physical store in Dubai found its home at Mall of the Emirates, giving fashion lovers access to the brand’s signature prints and effortless elegance.
As Mall of the Emirates celebrates its twentieth year, it does it by redefining its role in Dubai’s cultural and commercial life. With a bold redevelopment in the works, it proves once again why it is not just a mall, but The Mall of New Possibilities.
Lead Image Supplied