Dubai has never treated shopping as a simple indoor activity. Here, a mall can become a dining district, family playground, wellness destination and weekend escape under one roof. The next wave of new malls coming to Dubai shows how ambitious that idea has become.
From a futuristic indoor city at Dubai Creek Harbour to forest-inspired retail, lagoon views and neighbourhood centres built around daily life, these developments could reshape how residents spend their free time. Here are nine projects worth watching.
9 New Malls Coming to Dubai to Watch
1. Dubai Square
Dubai Square is the boldest project on this list. Planned for Dubai Creek Harbour, the Emaar development has been described as an indoor city rather than a conventional mall.
The huge destination is expected to combine retail, dining, entertainment and advanced technology, with areas wide enough for electric vehicles to pass through. Linked to the future Dubai Creek Tower, it is currently expected to open in 2028.
Why it stands out: visitors may be able to spend an entire day here without feeling they are inside a traditional shopping centre.
2. Ghaf Woods Mall
Ghaf Woods Mall will bring a greener mood to Dubai retail. Located within Majid Al Futtaim’s Ghaf Woods community, it is planned as a forest-integrated destination combining nature, technology and leisure.
The wider development will feature more than 30,000 trees, giving the mall a distinctive identity.
Why it stands out: families could combine shopping and dining with a calmer, nature-led setting close to home.
3. NAS Gardens Community Mall
NAS Gardens Community Mall is scheduled to open in August 2026 in one of Dubai’s fast-growing residential areas. The two-storey destination will combine everyday convenience with an appealing food offering.
Expected names include Waitrose and a permanent collaboration between Bake My Day and Kokoro Handroll Bar.
Why it stands out: it could become the neighbourhood’s go-to place for groceries, coffee and casual dining.
4. Sobha Mall
Sobha Hartland is preparing to welcome a luxury community mall backed by a reported AED210 million investment. The 339,000-square-foot project is expected to be completed in late 2026.
Plans include a supermarket, gym, play courts, soft play, entertainment zones, restaurants and around 35 retail and food outlets.
Why it stands out: residents could exercise, shop, dine and entertain children without travelling across the city.
5. Le Meryeme Mall, Liwan
Le Meryeme Mall in Liwan is expected to open during the second half of 2026. Developed by KeyMavens Group, it will bring Spanish-inspired design to Wadi Al Safa 2.
The destination is set to include luxury shops, restaurants, cafés, landscaped areas and a pool.
Why it stands out: natural light and outdoor spaces could make it ideal for long lunches, evening coffee and relaxed weekend visits.
6. Le Meryeme Mall, The Villa
A second Le Meryeme Mall is taking shape in Wadi Al Safa 5 near The Villa community. Formerly known as The Villa Square, it is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2026.
Across 124,000 square feet, visitors can expect shops, family-friendly restaurants, wellness spaces, leisure zones and landscaping.
Why it stands out: its balance of dining, wellness and community services appears designed around modern family life.
7. South Bay Mall
South Bay Mall could become one of Dubai South’s strongest lifestyle anchors. The project will cover around 200,000 square feet across ground, first and rooftop levels, with lagoon views and open-air walkways.
Plans include 60 retail units, two major stores, a premium food hall, leisure areas, a clubhouse, gym, spa and clinic.
Why it stands out: the waterfront setting gives it a resort-like feel suited to sunset dining, wellness visits and relaxed walks.
8. HAYAT Community Mall
HAYAT by Dubai South is being planned as a wellness-inspired neighbourhood near Al Maktoum International Airport. Its community mall and retail boulevard will offer shops, cafés and essential services.
The wider master plan includes lagoons, a scenic lake and around 2,500 homes.
Why it stands out: the mall could become a walkable social centre where errands, dining and community life naturally meet.
9. New Mall Near Al Maktoum International Airport
A major unnamed mall is planned as the centrepiece of a new AED62 billion mixed-use development in Dubai South. The wider project will cover 22 million square feet near Al Maktoum International Airport.
Majid Al Futtaim will develop the retail destination, although full details remain limited.
Why it stands out: its location places it inside one of Dubai’s most important long-term growth zones, giving it the potential to become a regional hub.
Why the New Malls Coming to Dubai Matter
These projects reveal a shift in Dubai’s retail story. The future mall is no longer just a building filled with stores. It is a community centre, dining district, wellness space and entertainment venue shaped around how people spend their weekends.
Established landmarks are evolving too. Dubai Mall is expanding with around 240 additional luxury retail and dining options, while Mall of the Emirates is undergoing a major transformation featuring new stores and an outdoor dining courtyard.
Final Takeaway
The most exciting new malls coming to Dubai are appearing in both established communities and fast-developing districts. Some will serve daily neighbourhood needs, while others aim to become attractions in their own right.
Together, they point towards Dubai’s next retail chapter: greener spaces, stronger community planning, memorable dining and destinations built for far more than a quick shopping trip.
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