Page 195 - SALIK PR REPORT JANUARY 2024

“Honestly, I had too many starting points, some of them worked well while
others didn’t. I opened a clothing store, and a cake shop, but they didn’t do
well. But I took them as experiences to learn from. Then God blessed me with
this opportunity,” Alabbar said while talking about the iconic Dubai Mall in a
video shared on his social media platform.
The man is now credited with creating some of the world’s most renowned
projects such as the tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, and Dubai Mall.
Alabbar also took the opportunity to speak of plans to expand one of the
world's largest malls. “We are planning to renew Dubai Mall, expand it, and
change it,” he said.
“We must take care of this mall, as one takes care of a small child,” Alabbar
said in the video.
In December, it was revealed that Salik, the toll gate operator, would take
charge of managing parking at Dubai Mall. The facility will now operate on a
paid basis, featuring a barrier-free system. This is expected to be operational
by the third quarter of 2024, and the parking charges will be determined after
Emaar Malls finalises the business rules for this project.
In the summer of 2023, the iconic mall changed its name after the word “The”
was dropped and was rechristened “Dubai Mall”.
In September, Chinatown was officially unveiled, with week-long cultural
events. Located on the first floor opposite the Dubai Ice Rink with direct
access to Address Fountain Views, the new destination offers an authentic
Asian experience.
Dubai Mall’s last major expansion was in 2019, when it was connected with
the Zabeel extension through a 200-metre-long bridge. Opening of Lulu
hypermarket in Zabeel was part of the 2023 expansion.
According to Emaar Malls, more than 80 per cent of its retail revenues are
generated by the iconic Dubai Mall, which houses more than 1,200 outlets.
The mall boasts a high footfall and occupancy level, reaching 99 per cent in
2022. Emaar Malls’ properties recorded 137 million footfall in 2022, with Dubai
Mall usually recording over 100 million every year.
Dubai Mall expansion
Alabbar was talking to an elderly Emirati lady while touring the iconic Dubai
Mall, one of the largest and most visited malls in the world.
He revealed that Dubai Mall, which was developed by Emaar Properties, will
be further expanded.
“We are planning to renew Dubai Mall, expand it, and change it. We must
care of this mall, as one takes care of a small child,” Alabbar said in the video.
In December, it was revealed that parking at Dubai Mall will become a paid
service, using a barrier-free system implemented by toll gate operator Salik.
The system is expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2024 and the
charges will be determined after Emaar Malls finalises the business rules for
this project.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-billionaire-behind-dubai-mall-once-had-cake-shop-clothing-
store-that-failed