The recently announced Cityland Mall project has strengthened its credentials as the world’s first ‘nature-inspired’ shopping destination by revealing details of Central Park which is its prime attraction.

The 200,000-sq-ft open-air garden will form the core of the mall – in terms of both architecture and its anchoring role in providing a unique sensory experience for shoppers. Central Park has been designed to accommodate 7,000 shoppers at a time in its vast expanse, said a statement.

Scheduled for launch in mid-2018, Cityland Mall will be a prime attraction for various  communities in Dubailand area such as Arabian Ranches, Majan, Al Barari, Layan, and Falcon City, amongst many others. The mall will also enjoy connected access to Global Village, further strengthening its strategic location and appeal amongst residents and visitors alike.

A multi-sensory delight
The open-air garden will feature an array of attractions such as a mini version of the famed Miracle Garden, a 300-year-old ancient tree garden, Japanese garden along with a 500-m jogging track, which positions the mall as a fabulous lifestyle space where retail satisfaction seamlessly blends with health and fitness, said the statement.  

The children’s waterpark, which is the first in the UAE to be located within a mall, will be a huge draw for the kids with a swimming pool, which is attractively designed in the shape of a flower. It will have various water games for kids in addition to providing convenient facilities like changing rooms and showers. In terms of further water-based attractions, visitors will also get to enjoy waterfalls and small lakes across the park, which will also have swans, ducks and fish in keeping with the aquatic theme.

Fahimuddin Sharfuddin, chief executive officer and board member, Cityland Group, said: “When we laid the plans for Cityland Mall, Central Park was conceived as a fresh proposition to guide the mall’s philosophy, objectives and vision for shopping complexes in the country.  The park will radically reshape the way people perceive a shopping mall and carve a special place in their minds due to its spectacular multi-sensory attractions while helping them appreciate the beauty of nature.”

“Central Park is a recreational space that is designed to provide an invigorating atmosphere so that shoppers can relax and enjoy themselves in a unique urban oasis,” said Abdel Naser Rahhal, vice chairman, Cityland Group and the person responsible for designing Central Park. 

He added:  “We wanted to create an inspirational space for people so that they can immerse themselves in nature and every element of the park works together beautifully to provide a wonderfully stimulating environment. We have also drawn on our rich expertise from developing Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden which are the group’s renowned botanical destinations in Dubai.”

Further accentuating the green space around the Central Park, a roof top garden is constructed at 10 m from the ground and will feature a range of select al fresco dining options and coffee shops with a spectacular view of the scenery. There will also be numerous fine-dining restaurant options overlooking the garden on the ground floor where people can enjoy a superb meal while having a 360-degree view of the entire park.

The park has also been designed to have extensive sitting areas for families and visitors to relax with numerous pergolas and gazebos adding to its overall beauty. The impact of nature will be extended even inside the mall with carefully designed floral exhibits and landscaped walls.

Plans are also in place to delight shoppers after daylight hours with spectacular choreographed lighting projections that will add an exciting dimension to the garden by converting its flora into a vibrant canvas. The high-profile lighting spectacle will feature innovative lighting systems that will entertain people through daily lighting shows, laser-based shows in addition to holographic shows and 3D based shows. The light shows will also be projected on the perimeter wall of Central Park to add to the overall experience for shoppers, the statement said.

Central Park will also have a miniature and a 3,000-seater amphitheatre, which will provide a platform for performing arts throughout the year and foster a culture of community in an inspired atmosphere.

An element of surprise
Despite being a colossal stretch of landscaped land, Central Park will harbour flexible elements that will be changed periodically to maintain an element of anticipation and surprise. Each section
of the garden, including the rooftop will have dynamic elements that frequently change by utilising unique themes in floral design, soil composition, textures and decor components. In addition, the proposed light projections and thematic illuminations will have new additions on a regular basis to capture the imagination of shoppers, it said. – TradeArabia News Service