Timeframe: The early days of Dubai's Al Ghurair Centre

The Dubai shopping mall is said to be the oldest in the country, and its tradition as the heart of a community remains

Al Ghurair Centre as seen in the early 1990s. Courtesy Al Ghurair Centre 

With stores currently offering deals across the nation, we look back to the beginning of shopping centre culture in the UAE. Dubai’s Al Ghurair Centre touts itself as the oldest mall in the UAE, having opened in 1981 (this picture is from the early 1990s).

Even now, following a Dh2 billion expansion in 2013, the Deira venue is known as one of the neighbourhood’s hubs. Boasting a wide variety of shops and more than 50 dining options (including the famous Din Tai Fung), the centre will soon be home to an 18-screen cinema complex. Yet it has retained the charm of a landmark that was around long before ski slopes were in malls.

Al Ghurair Centre is also known for events, hosting everything from dance battles to exhibitions. This month, visitors can watch matches in the Football Zone and visit the UAE Offroaders Show, which opens next weekend.

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