Upcoming malls in Dubai are giving the city’s shopping scene another growth moment, with new retail, dining, leisure and community spaces planned across major neighbourhoods.
This new wave is not only about more stores. Developers are leaning into greenery, wellness, smart navigation, family entertainment and mixed-use communities, which means the next malls may feel more like lifestyle districts than simple shopping centres.
Ghaf Woods Mall
Ghaf Woods Mall is planned for the Ghaf Woods community on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The project is being positioned as a forest-integrated mall, matching the wider Dhs15.4 billion community’s green design theme.
The idea is to combine shopping, dining and entertainment with natural landscaping. Final design details are still developing, but the mall is expected to open in phases with the wider community through 2031.
Sobha Hartland Community Mall
Sobha Hartland Community Mall is expected in 2026 inside Mohammed Bin Rashid City. It is planned as a 339,000-square-foot lifestyle hub with a supermarket, 35 retail stores, a gym, children’s play areas, sports courts and more than 10 restaurants.
The reported investment is more than Dhs210 million. Design features include skylights, greenery, water elements and a central space connecting different levels, giving the mall a community-first feel.
Dubai Square
Dubai Square remains one of the most ambitious upcoming malls in Dubai. Planned for Dubai Creek Harbour, it is expected to connect with the Dubai Creek Tower district and become a major new destination for residents and visitors.
Highlights include a large Chinatown concept, a grand plaza, an art district, wide pedestrian areas and a rooftop waterpark. Its location near Downtown Dubai and the airport could make it especially attractive for tourists once it opens.
Mall Of The Emirates Expansion
Mall of the Emirates is also growing. A major expansion is set to add 100 stores and more than 20,000 square metres of retail and leisure space as part of a larger Dhs5 billion upgrade.
The plan includes an outdoor dining courtyard, updated lifestyle areas and a refreshed cultural hub, with elements opening gradually through 2027. You can follow current mall information through the official Mall of the Emirates website.
Why These Projects Matter
Dubai already has global shopping icons, so new malls need sharper reasons to exist. The strongest projects now sell convenience, greenery, entertainment, food, community and design, not only retail square footage.
For residents, that can mean more neighbourhood options and shorter trips for family days out. For visitors, it adds more reasons to explore beyond the best-known mall stops.
Dubai Bliss readers tracking shopping news may also remember the recent Primark UAE expansion buzz. Together, new brands and new mall projects show how competitive the retail scene remains.
What To Watch Before Opening Day
Large mall projects can change timelines, tenant lists and opening phases before launch. Residents should treat early dates as planning markers rather than fixed diary entries until official opening announcements arrive.
The most useful signals will be anchor tenants, parking plans, public transport links and dining line-ups. Those details decide whether a new mall becomes a weekly stop or a one-time curiosity.
The next few years will decide which concepts become everyday favourites. For now, Ghaf Woods Mall, Sobha Hartland Community Mall, Dubai Square and the Mall of the Emirates expansion are the names to keep on the radar.
FAQs
Which upcoming malls in Dubai are opening soon?
Sobha Hartland Community Mall is expected in 2026, while Mall of the Emirates expansion elements are opening in stages through 2027. Some larger projects have longer timelines.
What is special about Ghaf Woods Mall?
Ghaf Woods Mall is planned as a forest-integrated retail destination. It is expected to mirror the wider Ghaf Woods community’s greenery-led design.
Where will Dubai Square be located?
Dubai Square is planned for Dubai Creek Harbour. It is expected to become a major retail and entertainment destination once complete.
Why are Dubai malls still expanding?
Dubai malls work as shopping, dining, entertainment and community hubs. New projects are trying to serve residents and visitors with more complete lifestyle experiences.