Massive new mall to open in Dubai in December 2019

There’s good news for Dubai residents living in the Marina end of town, as there’s soon to be a massive new shopping mall opening near Jebel Ali. And in even better news, it’s going to star an IKEA.

Al-Futtaim has announced that Festival Plaza is due to open this December – which means Christmas shopping (and refurnishing your apartment) just got a lot easier.

The massive retail space covers 64,800 sq m and is in the centre of the upcoming Wasl Gate Community – making it easy access for Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, JLT and commuters from Abu Dhabi. There will be more than 120 shops, a 500-seat food court, 40 restaurants, a stay and play, a kids’ club and more than 2,300 parking spaces too.

Festival Plaza will hold stores including IKEA, M&S, ACE and Lulu Hypermarket. The IKEA will be the biggest in Dubai – and the second to be set up in the city after Dubai Festival City branch – with an added focus on sustainability. It will also have an international training centre for IKEA employees.

ACE will have exclusive ranges, as well as an in-store café and garden area. Lulu Hypermarket will have a major emphasis on food, with more than 85 percent of its space allocated to groceries and fresh food. It will also introduce sushi to this branch, as well as a pizza and pasta counter. Love cheese? There’s set to be a massive cheese station, as well as a large range of organic, gluten-free, low-fat and diabetic foods.

The new mall will also boast free wi-fi, valet parking and home delivery via IKEA.

“Festival Plaza is built around its customers’ needs, which were identified through extensive research; so, this truly is a mall that directly addresses customer demand,” said Timothy Earnest, Group Director of Al-Futtaim Malls. “The convenience of its location gives it a distinct advantage as well as providing customers with access to anything they may need in their every day lives. With this destination, we are bringing to life the Festival City brand of celebration, but in a lively and convenient way that appeals to the community that surrounds it.”