Dubai’s New Mall Era

Dubai never really sits still. One month there is a new road, the next month an entirely new neighbourhood appears. And just when you think the city has enough places to shop and eat, another wave of malls appears on the horizon.

Dubai’s malls are more than somewhere to buy things. They are places to meet friends, take the kids out, have dinner, watch a film and get lost for a few hours in air conditioned comfort. The next chapter of Dubai’s retail story leans into that idea, mixing nature, technology and lifestyle in ways that feel very Dubai, but also a little different. 

There are five new malls on the way, plus big upgrades to two of the city’s most famous shopping destinations, that you will want on your radar.

Dubai Square: an indoor city at Dubai Creek Harbour
Dubai Creek Harbour has quietly been turning into one of those areas people call the next big thing, and Dubai Square is a huge part of that. Developed by Emaar, it is not really being described as a mall but as an indoor city, which gives you an idea of the scale. The project was first announced in 2018, with updated plans shared in 2024. There is still no official opening date. When it does arrive, it is expected to span around 2.6 million square metres, which is vast even for Dubai.

Dubai Square is designed to be wide enough for electric cars to move through some areas, with technology built into the experience rather than used as a gimmick. It will link directly to the upcoming Dubai Creek Tower and combine retail, dining, entertainment and events in one connected space. The idea is not just to add more shops. Think experimental concepts, immersive entertainment and original dining ideas. It is the kind of place you can imagine spending a whole day in without repeating yourself.

Ghaf Woods Mall – forest living with a side of shopping
If you have ever wished a mall felt more like a park, Ghaf Woods Mall may be the answer. Part of Majid Al Futtaim’s new Ghaf Woods development, this upcoming retail destination is being built around greenery, wellbeing and a calmer way to spend the day. The wider community will feature more than 30,000 trees, so when they say forest living it is not just marketing language. The mall sits at the heart of this Dhs15.4 billion development and will become Majid Al Futtaim’s 30th mall once it opens.

Expect a handpicked mix of shops, restaurants and leisure brands rather than endless repetition. You can imagine shaded walkways, cafés where you actually hear birds and family friendly spaces that feel softer than the average urban mall.

Sobha Mall – the everyday hub for Sobha Hartland
Sobha Hartland has grown steadily into a sought after residential community, and Sobha Mall is being created as its natural meeting point. Announced in 2024, this Dhs210 million project is set to complete by late 2026 and will add a clear focal point to the area. At around 339,000 square feet, it is not trying to be the biggest mall in the city. It is about convenience and comfort. There will be a supermarket for your weekly shop, a gym, play courts and a soft play or entertainment zone to keep younger visitors busy.

On top of that, more than 10 new restaurants and cafés are planned, with around 35 retail and F&B units in total. Residents will be able to drop in after work, send children to familiar play areas at the weekend and grab a coffee while errands get ticked off in the background.

Liwan Mall – an elegant new centre in Wadi Al Safa 2
Liwan Mall is set to bring a more polished feel to Wadi Al Safa 2. Due to open in the second half of 2026, it is being developed by KeyMavens Group and will cover around 113,674 square feet. The design is Spanish inspired, which should mean warm colours, arches, terraces and plenty of natural light. Inside, you can expect a mix of retail brands, cafés, restaurants and green pockets that soften the space and invite you to slow down. 

A pool and landscaped areas add to the sense of being in a lifestyle destination rather than a simple shopping stop. As the community around Wadi Al Safa 2 grows, Liwan Mall will give local residents a stylish, self contained place to spend time, while also attracting visitors from other parts of Dubai.

Villa Square – the social centre for The Villa community
Also under development by KeyMavens Group, Villa Square is designed as a neighbourhood centre rather than a mega destination. Located in Wadi Al Safa 5, it will be especially convenient for families living in The Villa community, but its appeal should stretch further. Spread over 124,000 square feet of built up area, Villa Square will bring together shops, family friendly restaurants, wellness facilities and landscaped social spaces. The look and feel will again draw on Spanish inspired architecture, with light filled interiors and an easy flow between indoor and outdoor areas.

You can picture parents meeting for coffee while children play nearby and neighbours chatting in the courtyard. It is not trying to be a tourist attraction; it is trying to make daily life nicer. Villa Square is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2026.

Big upgrades to two Dubai icons
It is not only new names appearing on the skyline. Two of Dubai’s most famous malls, Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, are both preparing for substantial upgrades that will shape how we use them for years to come.

Dubai Mall – a Dhs1.5 billion expansion
Dubai Mall is already known around the world, but Emaar is not finished with it yet. A Dhs1.5 billion expansion has been announced, with plans to add around 240 new luxury retail and dining options to the existing mix. Full details are still limited, but one major piece of the puzzle is a new exhibition centre, which is expected to start taking bookings in early 2026. That should mean more big events and experiences anchored in the mall, giving people extra reasons to visit even if they are not in a shopping mood.

In the meantime, The District opened in March as part of the mall’s evolution. This area brings around 65 extra shops and restaurants and sits near the Dubai Mall Ice Rink. For regular visitors, it already offers something new to explore while the larger expansion continues in the background.

Mall of the Emirates – a lush new chapter
Mall of the Emirates is getting its own major refresh, with a Dhs5 billion makeover confirmed in April. It is a clear signal that the mall is reinventing itself rather than relying on past success.

Around 100 new stores are planned, including international names such as Primark, Ulta Beauty and Skims. The mix feels current and designed to appeal to younger shoppers as well as long time fans of the mall.

Perhaps the most interesting change is the introduction of the mall’s first outdoor food and drinks courtyard. Due to open in early 2027, this garden style space will be covered in greenery and make the most of Dubai’s winter months, when everyone wants to sit outside and enjoy the cooler air.

For a place best known for its indoor ski slope and climate controlled comfort, adding a lush open air social hub feels like a natural next step. It gives people another reason to linger and turns a shopping trip into more of an evening out.

Dubai’s next mall era
Looking at all these projects together and a pattern appears. Dubai is not just building bigger malls for the sake of it. The focus is shifting towards places that blend shopping with nature, community, design and experience.

Ghaf Woods Mall leans into forest living. Dubai Square pushes the idea of an indoor city. Sobha Mall, Liwan Mall and Villa Square are about making everyday life easier and more enjoyable for residents. Meanwhile, Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates are reinventing themselves so they stay relevant in a city that never stops changing.

Shopping will always be part of the story here, but it is no longer the whole story. The new question seems to be how do you want to spend your day, and Dubai is quietly building a lot of tempting answers.