(MENAFN Press) Dubai, UAE; January 3, 2012: The Dubai Mall, the flagship development of Emaar Malls Group and the world's largest shopping and entertainment destination, has launched a project to build a 820-metre long pedestrian link that directly connects the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro Station with the iconic attractions in Downtown Dubai, including the mall and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.
Scheduled to be operational in 2013, 'The Dubai Mall Metro Link' is one of the longest pedestrian walkways that links the Dubai Metro with any retail development, and is expected to significantly enhance the convenience of visitors to the mall and Burj Khalifa. It is also billed to reduce vehicular traffic within the immediate vicinity of the mall, located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, the flagship mega development by Emaar Properties, described as 'The Centre of Now.'
Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: "The Dubai Mall is one of the most visited tourist, retail, and leisure destinations in the world. While the mall offers covered parking for over 14,000 vehicles, we have been evaluating various alternatives to further streamline visitor traffic and add to their convenience. The Dubai Mall Metro Link will also serve visitors to Burj Khalifa and the various attractions in Downtown Dubai."
He added: "The Dubai Mall Metro Link will contribute to the sustainable transport initiatives developed by the Dubai Government. At its peak capacity, the travellators can carry over 13,500 people per hour, and is being developed to the highest international standards. It has been designed to accommodate maximum visitor traffic, both to The Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and to Downtown Dubai, especially during the festive season."
The Dubai Mall Metro Link, to be constructed by Dutco, will essentially have five travellators in each direction “ ten in all - each of length 70 to 120 metres and 1.4 metres wide. There will be a central walkway that will give additional space for pedestrian use. The travellators will move at an average speed of 0.5 metres/second, starting at the Burj Khalifa/The Dubai Mall Metro station entrance pod and travelling through the Downtown Dubai development before connecting directly with The Dubai Mall.
With The Dubai Mall Metro Link, visitors will have an air-conditioned passage from the Metro to the mall. Allowances are also being made for future connections to Emaar Square and Boulevard Plaza offices and linkages with the Emaar Boulevard, which hosts several lifestyle events including the popular Emirates Classic Car Festival. Pedestrians also have the option of using The Dubai Mall Metro Link, even if they are not Metro passengers.
The Dubai Mall Metro Link is elegantly designed in glass with views of the Downtown Dubai development including Burj Khalifa. It will also open a new marketing avenue for multimedia advertising displays along the walls of the pedestrian link. Designed with the highest safety features, The Dubai Mall Metro Link will incorporate add-on features such as exit routes along its length and access stairs.
The Dubai Mall, the holder of the Guinness World Record for the 'Largest Shopping Centre,' features over 1,200 retail stores and 160 F&B outlets. With Galeries Lafayette and Bloomingdale's as the anchor stores, the mall has a dedicated Fashion Avenue hosting 70 of the world's leading names in haute couture.
Leisure attractions at the mall include Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; SEGA Republic, the largest of its kind indoor theme park in the Middle East; KidZania, a unique children's edutainment destination; and the 22-screen Reel Cinemas.
Downtown Dubai's attractions include At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace; The Dubai Fountain; world-class residences; commercial offices and the Emaar Boulevard, a 3.5 km boulevard lined with retail and F&B attractions.
