The Ilyas and Galadari Group said construction work on Mall of Arabia, which is set to become one of the world’s largest shopping malls, got underway with the pouring of concrete to create the mall’s pile caps.

Mall of Arabia is a key feature of the Dubai-based businessman brothers’ 'City Arabia' scheme, the spectacular $5 billion destination which is currently under construction and will provide a stunning gateway to Dubailand.

The Ilyas and Galadari Group has recruited Abu Dhabi construction firm Dhabi Contracting Establishment to create more than 1,000 diverse retail outlets, a rooftop hotel, waterfront alfresco dining and entertainment for all the family at the mall.

It will also feature the remarkable Restless Planet theme park and earth science museum.

Ilyas Galadari, chairman of the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group, said:  “This is a big moment for us. We are very excited to see what will be a magnificent mall in Dubai and one which will rival any in the world gradually take shape.”

Mustafa Galadari, vice-chairman and managing director, said:  'It’s always a proud occasion when you see your dreams and visions start to become reality and, as such, witnessing yesterday’s concrete pouring gave me a great sense of satisfaction.'

'We look forward to seeing the continual development of this key project in our unique City of Arabia scheme,' he added.

Mall of Arabia will have a gross leasable area (GLA) of 10 million sq ft and represents one of the most expansive retail experiences to be found anywhere in the world.

Adding to Mall of Arabia’s pulling power, Restless Planet will provide visitors with a unique edutainment experience, and establishes the mall as an attraction city offering something for every age and culture.

Set to house the world’s largest and most lifelike collection of animatronic dinosaurs, it is designed to draw in excess of 10,000 visitors per day, and is predicted to send waves of extra shoppers into the mall.

Making it easy for visitors to arrive and move about, City of Arabia’s own monorail system will be linked to the Dubai Metro and provide visitors with a comfortable and convenient link to all the major shopping attractions and other areas.

Visitors arriving at the mall by car will find there is ample parking and easy access.  Mall of Arabia’s four million sq ft first phase alone will have covered parking for 10,400 vehicles on two floors beneath the mall.

Anchoring the four million sq ft of GLA spread across the twin level first phase will be many of the leading brand names managed by two of the Middle East’s biggest retail organisations, Landmark Group and Azadea Group.

Between them they have signed up for a total of more than 800,000 sq ft of retail space. The first phase is now 89 per cent contracted and reserved.-TradeArabia News Service