A further ten additional shopping malls are planned to open around Dubai in the next years, further adding to the city’s already burgeoning retail and leisure landscape. From the ultra-luxury waterfront retail centers on Palm Jebel Ali to futuristic indoor cities in Dubai Creek Harbour, these mega-projects in the pipeline will alter weekend entertainment.
The emirate is recognised all over the globe for its famed retail spots yet the city is ever evolving. Developers are hurrying to create the next generation of lifestyle centers and new residential neighbourhoods and large master-planned communities are sprouting up all over the metropolitan environment. The next generation of retail complexes will give much more than normal shopping, including highly integrated high tech experiences, beautiful architectural designs and top gourmet services. After the successful launch of The Grand in Nad Al Sheba, the next big retail reveals are highly anticipated. Here’s a closer look at the ten best new leisure and shopping destinations poised to alter the local retail environment.
Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Square
Dubai Square, a technological marvel located in Dubai Creek Harbour, is one aspect of a huge, long-term visionary plan by master developer Emaar. The project is due to open to the public in 2028 and is home to leading smart technology and lately, Emaar CEO Mohammed Alabbar made some big adjustments. This retail giant will sprawl over an amazing 2.6 million square meters – almost three times the size of Downtown Dubai today – and is perfectly named a large indoor city. The sheer magnitude of the design will feature avenues that are wide enough to accommodate electric automobiles. The mall will be equipped with a completely air-conditioned parking lot and will provide whole new concepts in dining, shopping and digital entertainment. The mall will be directly linked to the much anticipated Dubai Creek Tower.
Shopping Center Ghaf Woods
Ghaf Woods Mall is a world-class shopping and leisure destination with modern retail infrastructure set among natural ecosystems. This amazing construction, spearheaded by the iconic retail powerhouse Majid Al Futtaim, will proudly stand as the thirtieth mall in the company’s remarkable portfolio once completely finished. This very creative space is smack in the heart of the Dhs15.4 billion Ghaf Woods residential development and is set to become the region’s first-ever forest-integrated retail hub. In fact, shoppers will discover an exceptionally unique, curated combination of luxury retail shops, entertainment venues and calm eating experiences, all embraced by a lush landscape that incorporates more than thirty thousand trees into the surrounding design.
The Yard
The Yard is the first official prime retail and leisure destination, it is located on Palm Jebel Ali and covers 70,000 square feet. The mall is a wonderful blend of social events, elegant eating, wellness facilities and essential civic services all in one extremely convenient location, designed specifically for the everyday requirements of this much-anticipated coastal neighbourhood. Tenants already secured for the destination include Waitrose, American Hospital, Piccoli, Jumeirah International Nursery, Bateel Café and Friends Avenue. It is placed near the entrance to the island for best access for motorists. The grand opening is planned for 2027 to guarantee that the infrastructure is fully operational before the first islanders move in.
First Avenue Mall by Jumeirah
First Avenue Mall Jumeirah is set to open its doors to tourists in 2026, adding a new wave of lifestyle and gastronomic destinations to the coastal communities. The new lifestyle complex, conveniently located next to the pristine beaches of Mercato Beach, will have a strong focus on family living, health and fine dining. Discover an array of luxury brands including Watch House, Go Greek, Jon & Vinny’s, Soraya, Jona’s Burger, Nala, Rosti, Backyard, Tora Tora and Mareel. Adding a huge layer of gastronomic excitement to the debut, the mall will also be the brand new permanent home of the very popular dining pop-up Lost In Tokyo, which formerly drew big crowds at Marsa Boulevard.
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Sobha Hartland – Sobha Mall
Heavy development is now in full swing on a stunning Dhs210 million luxury retail building backed by global real estate behemoth Sobha Realty. The vast 339,000-square-foot Sobha Mall is expected to be fully operational by late 2026 and will be the commercial hub of the upscale Sobha Hartland neighbourhood. This multi-level living center has been thoughtfully planned to incorporate a large premium supermarket, a state-of-the-art workout gymnasium, indoor play courts and a special soft play and entertainment area for younger families. Gastronomy will be a big part of the venue’s attraction with over ten new unique eating concepts and thirty-five luxury retail stores actively preparing to open their doors.
Le Meryeme Mall – Liwan
Le Meryeme Mall – Liwan is projected to become a key luxury destination in the Wadi Al Safa 2 region, bringing a distinctive European architectural beauty to the cityscape. This particular project, fast-tracked under the leadership of luxury real estate developer KeyMavens Group, has a total of 113,674 square feet of built-up space. Set to open in the second half of 2026, the shopping complex leans heavily toward a gorgeous Spanish-inspired design approach. Guests will enjoy strolling through expertly chosen luxury retail establishments, artisanal cafes, deeply shaded green areas and a spectacular central pool area that nicely enriches the whole shopping experience.
Villa Le Meryeme Mall
Le Meryeme Mall – The Villa is the sibling of the Liwan site and is another mega retail venture spearheaded by the KeyMavens Group. This speciality development is situated within Wadi Al Safa 5, spread over a massive 124,000 square feet, and is perfectly positioned to support the local residential clusters of The Villa area, while efficiently attracting visitors from throughout the wider city. The architectural design is strongly influenced by a Spanish style, highlighting natural light and expansive open spaces, with a smooth transition between indoor and outdoor areas. The development is currently aiming a third quarter 2026 completion date and will include a carefully selected mix of premium retail brands, family-oriented dining terraces, extensive planting areas and specialist wellness facilities designed for the modern family.
South Bay Mall
The city is already known for its huge commercial centers, but the proposed South Bay Mall is all set to be a total game-changer for the south areas. Dubai South Properties just announced this massive development, which would be advantageously located right in the heart of Dubai South. The facility will be a huge 200,000 square feet, large enough to comfortably fit in more than fifteen Olympic swimming pools. On ground, first and upper levels, Huge open air paths suitable for evening roaming will welcome shoppers with breathtaking panoramic lagoon views. The ambitious project will have sixty diversified retail spaces, two major anchor stores, a fine cuisine gourmet hall, an exclusive club house, a luxury spa and a modern medical center.
COMMUNITY MALL HAYAT
The brand-new HAYAT Community Mall is the heart of wellness and community integration. This innovative retail complex is a flagship part of HAYAT by Dubai South, a residential community of the future that is heavily inspired by holistic living and very creative. The master plan as a whole is next to the fast-growing Al Maktoum International Airport, and has a bustling community mall and expansive retail promenade. The mall will seamlessly cater to the residents of the 2,500 planned residential units and will have a carefully curated mix of lifestyle necessities, artisan cafes and boutique businesses, all set against stunning community lakes and tranquil waterfront lagoons.
Al Maktoum International Airport Mega-Mall
Dubai South will have a jaw-dropping Dhs62 billion mixed-use community project that will include a massive, un-named shopping mall in the advanced stages of building near Al Maktoum International Airport. The vast retail attraction will be the centrepiece of a 22 million-square-foot master-planned development that aspires to turn the aviation zone into a city inside a city. The new hub, developed by award-winning Majid Al Futtaim, the team behind the iconic Mall of the Emirates, will be the main retail, entertainment and lifestyle anchor for the entire southern part of the emirate, catering to millions of future residents and global transit passengers.
Discover the Future of Retail with The Next Dubai
As these ten visionary shopping destinations prepare to reshape the urban landscape, the city once again proves its unstoppable drive toward architectural innovation and elevated lifestyle experiences. From serene, forest-integrated retail sanctuaries to massive futuristic indoor cities, the future of shopping in the emirate is brighter and more diverse than ever before. To ensure you stay completely updated on official grand opening dates, exclusive store launches, and the latest urban developments transforming the city, keep your daily reading strictly focused right here on The Next Dubai.
