• UAE's biggest malls: The Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 retail units in addition to 200-plus food and beverage outlets. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    UAE's biggest malls: The Dubai Mall has more than 1,200 retail units in addition to 200-plus food and beverage outlets. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Mall of the Emirates in Dubai has more than 630 retail units and 100-plus food and beverage outlets spread out across 233,467 square metres. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Mall of the Emirates in Dubai has more than 630 retail units and 100-plus food and beverage outlets spread out across 233,467 square metres. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Dubai Hills Mall boasts 600 retail units plus 7,000 parking spaces. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
    The Dubai Hills Mall boasts 600 retail units plus 7,000 parking spaces. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
  • Sahara Centre is located on the Dubai-Sharjah Highway, covers almost 240,000 square metres and has 530 retail units. Victor Besa for The National
    Sahara Centre is located on the Dubai-Sharjah Highway, covers almost 240,000 square metres and has 530 retail units. Victor Besa for The National
  • Reem Mall on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island is set to open in 2022 and will feature 450 retail units plus 85 food and beverage outlets. The mall will cover an area of more than 260,000 square metres. Photo: Reem Mall
    Reem Mall on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island is set to open in 2022 and will feature 450 retail units plus 85 food and beverage outlets. The mall will cover an area of more than 260,000 square metres. Photo: Reem Mall
  • Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi has over 450 retail units spread across more than 151,000 square metres. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
    Dalma Mall in Abu Dhabi has over 450 retail units spread across more than 151,000 square metres. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National
  • The Galleria Al Maryah Island is one of Abu Dhabi's newest malls and features 400 retail units plus 100 food and beverage outlets. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island
    The Galleria Al Maryah Island is one of Abu Dhabi's newest malls and features 400 retail units plus 100 food and beverage outlets. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island
  • Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall has more than 400 retail units, covering an area of 122,000 square metres. Photo: Sammy Dallal
    Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall has more than 400 retail units, covering an area of 122,000 square metres. Photo: Sammy Dallal
  • Yas Mall on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island has more than 370 retail units and 68 food and beverage outlets spread out across 232,257 square metres. Victor Besa / The National
    Yas Mall on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island has more than 370 retail units and 68 food and beverage outlets spread out across 232,257 square metres. Victor Besa / The National

Dubai Hills Mall to open on February 17


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Residents near Dubai Hills Mall have patiently waited as they watch the expansive shopping centre near completion. Now that day is here, as it's been announced that the mall is opening today, Thursday February 17.

It is set to become one of the biggest malls in the UAE when it opens at 10am.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the country's biggest shopping centres.

There is plenty to see and do inside the two-storey mall, which features 600 retail outlets, including internationally renowned brands, plus a Roxy Cinemas outlet, an Adventure Park and an indoor roller coaster that's said to be the fastest of its kind in the world.

It's located in Dubai Hills Estate, the 1,093-hectare development from Emaar that forms part of Mohammed Bin Rashid City.

The mall, which will have 7,000 parking spaces, sits next to Dubai Hills Estate Park and is a short drive from other thriving residential communities such as Arabian Ranches, Town Square Dubai and Damac Hills, and is accessible via Umm Suqeim Street and Al Khail Road.

One of its main attractions is undoubtedly the world's fastest indoor roller coaster, which is called The Storm, and for youngsters, the Adventure Park play area where there are all manner of activities and attractions to keep them entertained, including a slide and trampolines.

On top of the retail stores and entertainment attractions, there are also several food and beverage outlets, as well as a Geant Hypermarket.

Dubai Hills Estate is also home to a water park, skate park and Dubai Hills Golf Club, as well as Kings College Hospital London and supermarkets such as Franprix, Geant and Urban Foods.

Dubai Hills Mall will be home to hundreds of retail stores. Photo: Emaar Malls Management
Dubai Hills Mall will be home to hundreds of retail stores. Photo: Emaar Malls Management

A Common Grounds cafe is also scheduled to open within the community soon.

At the mall, retail stores will be open from 10am to 10pm on Sunday to Thursday, with restaurants and cafes open until midnight and Geant Hypermarket open from 9am to midnight.

On Friday and Saturday, shop hours extend slightly until midnight.

See inside one of the largest properties in Dubai Hills Estate:

  • This custom-built mansion in Dubai Hills Estate is on the market for Dh115 million.
    This custom-built mansion in Dubai Hills Estate is on the market for Dh115 million.
  • Enter via a striking double-height central hub.
    Enter via a striking double-height central hub.
  • The property's expansive basement, complete with a bar and TV area.
    The property's expansive basement, complete with a bar and TV area.
  • One of seven spacious bedrooms.
    One of seven spacious bedrooms.
  • A wine cellar, to be filled at will by the owner.
    A wine cellar, to be filled at will by the owner.
  • A spacious private swimming pool.
    A spacious private swimming pool.
  • A snug and inviting formal living room.
    A snug and inviting formal living room.
  • The property comes fully furnished, with high-end pieces.
    The property comes fully furnished, with high-end pieces.
  • There are a number of areas to relax around the property.
    There are a number of areas to relax around the property.
  • Generously sized walk-in wardrobes.
    Generously sized walk-in wardrobes.
  • The design is inspired by the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
    The design is inspired by the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
  • Bright and airy design throughout the upper floors.
    Bright and airy design throughout the upper floors.
  • A spacious ensuite bathroom.
    A spacious ensuite bathroom.
  • Looking down on the central hub from the first floor.
    Looking down on the central hub from the first floor.
  • Italian marble and porcelain has been used in the bathrooms.
    Italian marble and porcelain has been used in the bathrooms.
  • Space to entertain in the basement.
    Space to entertain in the basement.
  • Wood is a key design material throughout the property.
    Wood is a key design material throughout the property.
  • A formal dining area.
    A formal dining area.
  • A plush living area.
    A plush living area.
  • A sleek home office.
    A sleek home office.
  • A view of the back of the property at night.
    A view of the back of the property at night.
  • The grand staircase connected to the central hub of the home.
    The grand staircase connected to the central hub of the home.
  • A design feature flowing down the stairs.
    A design feature flowing down the stairs.
  • A more relaxed dining area.
    A more relaxed dining area.
  • The back of the property by day.
    The back of the property by day.
  • A quiet corner to relax in.
    A quiet corner to relax in.
  • A view of the top landing.
    A view of the top landing.
  • Space to watch TV.
    Space to watch TV.
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMaly%20Tech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mo%20Ibrahim%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%20International%20Financial%20Centre%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.6%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2015%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%2C%20planning%20first%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GCC-based%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gertrude Bell's life in focus

A feature film

At one point, two feature films were in the works, but only German director Werner Herzog’s project starring Nicole Kidman would be made. While there were high hopes he would do a worthy job of directing the biopic, when Queen of the Desert arrived in 2015 it was a disappointment. Critics panned the film, in which Herzog largely glossed over Bell’s political work in favour of her ill-fated romances.

A documentary

A project that did do justice to Bell arrived the next year: Sabine Krayenbuhl and Zeva Oelbaum’s Letters from Baghdad: The Extraordinary Life and Times of Gertrude Bell. Drawing on more than 1,000 pieces of archival footage, 1,700 documents and 1,600 letters, the filmmakers painstakingly pieced together a compelling narrative that managed to convey both the depth of Bell’s experience and her tortured love life.

Books, letters and archives

Two biographies have been written about Bell, and both are worth reading: Georgina Howell’s 2006 book Queen of the Desert and Janet Wallach’s 1996 effort Desert Queen. Bell published several books documenting her travels and there are also several volumes of her letters, although they are hard to find in print. Original documents are housed at the Gertrude Bell Archive at the University of Newcastle, which has an online catalogue.
 

Updated: February 17, 2022, 4:53 AM