A magnificent second glass dome is under construction at the Mall of the Emirates’ new 10,500 sqm extension that will be home to a further 40 world-class stores.

Like its other half, the apex of the new dome is 38 metres above the granite floor – high enough to house the Statue of Liberty from the tip of her toes to the point of her crown.

The replica will complement the existing design, letting in plenty of daylight onto the multi-coloured central medallion pattern floor, based on an indoor Italian piazza.

The new stores will cover three levels including ground, first and second, plus a central fountain feature which will be a two-tier hand-carved marble sculpture. Café space around the fountain will make for an outdoor dining atmosphere, unique to Mall of the Emirates.

Designed by F+A Architects and detailed by Holfords, the dome is being made locally from sixteen large steel ribs that meet in a steel ring at the top with glass panels that form a grid supported by smaller steels. It has taken six months to design and manufacture and will be erected over the coming three-month period, according to a statement.-TradeArabia News Service