Dubai’s Meydan City Corporation has launched a new 3.67-million-sq-m leisure, residential and hospitality destination featuring world’s tallest residential tower within the heart of the Emirate, a report said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, officially approved the development of Meydan One, added WAM, the official Emirates news agency.

The development will host more than 78,300 residents and feature the 711-m-tall Dubai One tower, the Meydan One Mall, a civic plaza with dancing water features, a 4-km canal and a 100-berth marina.

The first phase of the development, located between Meydan and Al Khail Road, is scheduled for completion before 2020, when Dubai’s population is forecasted to hit 3.4 million, the WAM report said.

The Meydan One Mall will feature a 150 m by 80 m retractable roof which will be opened in the cooler, winter months to create an al fresco shopping and dining atmosphere. With more than 300 restaurants, cafes and kiosks offering fine dining and fast-food options, the mall will also attract flagship retailers, luxury stand-alone outlets and nightlife.

With a gross floor area of five million sq m, the mall will feature the world’s longest indoor ski slope at 1.2 km, a 25,000-sq-m indoor multi-purpose sport facility, over 5.3 km of bicycle and jogging trails, a 9-km boardwalk, the largest dancing fountain in the world, a 300-m-long beach, a civic plaza to host up to 60,000 people and a one-of-a-kind heritage village.

Meydan chairman Saeed Humaid Al Tayer said: "In a city which never stops innovating, today’s announcement is significant for the future of Dubai and the UAE. We have committed to developing a multi-use destination which goes beyond expectations and will cater to every kind of person living and working here, as well as those who travel from around the world to visit.

"Our efforts in creating world-class indoor and outdoor sporting facilities reinforce the role we are playing in the community to create sustainable, sought-after services that will contribute to the health of our nation. These are exciting times at the Meydan City Corporation and the hard work starts now to ensure Meydan One is Dubai’s Number One leisure, hospitality and residential district.

"This development is a forward-thinking, interactive enterprise geared towards the Dubai of tomorrow. The encouragement and support we have received in the past from our trusted partners will now help the Meydan One development come to life. The first phase will be completed as Dubai prepares to host the World Expo 2020."

The 25,000-sq-m indoor multi-purpose sports facility will offer every sport imaginable, including tennis, football, basketball, volleyball, squash, indoor cricket, mixed martial arts, softball, a baseball batting cage, lacrosse, golf and hockey. Skiing and snowboarding will be facilitated on the 1.2-km ski slope.

Meydan Arena is located at the base of the ski slope structure and with a seating capacity of 8,000 will play host to sporting events, live concerts and theatrical shows. Outdoor sports options will include football pitches, mountain biking, walking and running trails, a skateboard park and a BMX park.

The new civic plaza, large enough to comfortably host 60,000 people, will be home to a floating stage, fountains and a waterfall. The 420-m-long jet fountain displays will be the world largest and will include light laser shows choreographed with digital screens, said WAM.

The 300-m-long beach, sitting adjacent to the aquamarine Crystal Lagoons, will offer visitors swimming, paddle boats, sea kayaking, beach volleyball and night-time light displays, as well as direct access to a new Water Park, beach bar and restaurants.

The world’s tallest residential tower, The Dubai One and its integrated podium incorporate 350,000 sq m of gross floor area, 885 residential apartments, a five-star hotel with 350 hotel keys, a conference centre, a 360-degree observation deck at 655 m high (world record), a sky restaurant at 675 m high (world record), a plaza view restaurant and terrace as well as the Meydan One Marina Yacht Club.