THEME SHOPPING.

(From Gulf Construction)

What is claimed to be the world's largest themed mall is now getting its finishing touches and is set to open later this month. The Ibn Battuta Mall, as it is now known, has already seen its anchor store - the Geant hypermarket - open to the public late last month

Previously known as the Gardens Shopping Mall, this highly distinctive mall in Dubai has aimed to capture the adventure and excitement of the life of Ibn Battuta, the famous 14th century Arabian traveller and scholar throughout its single-level expanse which stretches for over a kilometre. Developed by Nakheel, the mall combines retail, entertainment, restaurants and family activities all within a uniquely themed environment. It is segmented into six distinct architectural zones, representing key destinations visited by Ibn Battuta. It also features a 21-screen cinema Megaplex, including the UAE's first IMAX cinema, themed garden areas and a uniquely-designed food court

The Ibn Battuta Mall has a total built-up area of 3.5 million sq ft with a gross leasable area of 1.2 million sq m. It will include more than 275 retail outlets and more than 5,000 parking spaces

Located adjacent to Sheikh Zayed Road between interchanges 5 and 6, the mall enjoys easy access by three roads from Sheikh Zayed Road. In addition, keeping in mind the fact that access is critical to customer satisfaction and a shopping mall's success, the Ibn Battuta Mall has built its own interchange. The Nakheel Interchange - situated between Interchange 5 and 6 - will allow direct access to the mall. The interchange will consist of two bridges acting as directional links to the mall

The architecture of the mall will not only appeal to regional customers but also generate interest among the tourists who will find the mall exotic, entertaining, educational and at the same time enable them to experience a themed, shopping experience, according to Andrew Chambers, general manager of Ibn Battuta Mall

"People can shop anywhere but at Ibn Battuta Mall, they enjoy the historical perspective in the six themed courts, based on Ibn Battuta's adventures as he journeyed through Andalusia, North Africa, Egypt, Persia, India and China," he says. The themed environment has been created with the help of MTE (Marketing Themed Environments) Studios - a specialist in themed environments and no expense has been spared in order to ensure that each court is able to maintain the look and feel of the represented regions through the attention to detail in the architecture. For example, the major Egypt Court mirrors 14th century Cairo, while the minor court and exterior is themed with hieroglyphic friezes.The Persia Court will highlight the theme of Ibn Battuta's discovery of a hidden cave of gold and other treasures. Likewise, in the China Court, a life-size Chinese junk boat similar to the one used by ...