Dubai Square Set To Transform Shopping Tourism In The UAE And Beyond With The World’s First Drive-Through Mall

Published on December 11, 2025

A major leap in retail innovation has been placed at the centre of Dubai’s tourism landscape with the announcement of Dubai Square, described as the world’s first drive-through mall. This ambitious project in the United Arab Emirates has been positioned as a landmark development that will reshape how travellers interact with large-scale shopping destinations. The sprawling structure, extending across 2.6 million square metres, has been envisioned as an integrated hub where retail, dining, entertainment, and residential spaces function within a single futuristic ecosystem. Designed to allow visitors to drive directly through its expansive interiors, this next-generation mall has been developed to offer a seamless, vehicle-friendly experience with dedicated infrastructure for electric mobility. Spearheaded by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, the project forms a core part of the wider Dubai Creek Harbour master plan. With substantial investment, large-scale residential avenues, pedestrian-friendly boulevards and green landscapes surrounding the mall, Dubai Square has been positioned as a destination expected to draw travellers from across the world. As global tourism continues shifting toward immersive and convenience-driven experiences, this development is anticipated to set new benchmarks for retail-led travel in the Middle East and internationally.

A Groundbreaking Retail Concept in the United Arab Emirates

The introduction of Dubai Square has been presented as the latest addition to Dubai’s long list of pioneering attractions. The mall has been positioned as the world’s first major retail complex designed explicitly for drive-through access, a feature that sets it apart within global tourism and shopping trends. By allowing vehicles to move through designated interior routes, the development has been aimed at offering a more convenient and efficient experience for shoppers, particularly during peak travel seasons when foot traffic typically increases.

Its total area of 2.6 million square metres places it among the largest mall structures conceived in the region, and this size has been essential in supporting its multi-functional layout. The concept has been crafted to attract international travellers who are increasingly drawn to experiential urban destinations within the United Arab Emirates.

Vision Led by Mohamed Ali Alabbar

The project has been guided by Mohamed Ali Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties, whose involvement has added considerable prominence to the initiative. Dubai Square has been described as being nearly three times larger than Downtown Dubai, demonstrating the expansive scale envisioned for its future operations.

A total investment of AED180 billion has been placed into the project, reflecting the emirate’s commitment to redefining tourism integrated with retail and lifestyle infrastructure. With Emaar Properties already recognised for developing world-famous icons such as the Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall, Dubai Square has been positioned as a natural continuation of the city’s push toward remarkable and futuristic retail environments.

A Seamless Vehicle-Friendly Experience for Travellers

One of the most distinctive features of Dubai Square is its design centred around vehicular access. The mall has been planned with dedicated routes, structured lanes and navigation zones that allow visitors to enter, drive through and park at various sections without leaving their vehicles. This approach has been aimed at offering convenience, comfort and faster mobility for tourists who might prefer climate-controlled environments, particularly during the summer months in the UAE.

Infrastructure supporting electric vehicles has been embedded into the mall’s blueprint. Charging points, energy-efficient facilities and sustainable internal mobility options have been conceptualised so that travellers can benefit from an eco-conscious retail environment.

A Self-Contained Mega Community Within Dubai Creek Harbour

Dubai Square stands as a central pillar within Dubai Creek Harbour, one of the city’s largest master-planned waterside developments. The mall has been integrated into a vast layout featuring hotels, waterfront attractions, residential towers and landscaped public areas. A total of 7.4 million square metres of residential space has been included in this master plan, positioning the district as a future urban hotspot for both residents and international visitors.

Pedestrian-friendly streets and walkable leisure zones have been designed to complement the mall’s automobile-centric concept. An impressive 500,000 square metres of green space has been incorporated into the surrounding area, providing visual balance and environmental enrichment. This combination of retail, living spaces, leisure elements and open areas has been intended to create a vibrant district that remains active day and night.

A New Tourism Landmark for Global Travellers

Once fully operational, Dubai Square is expected to become an iconic attraction for tourists arriving from countries across Asia, Europe and the Americas. Dubai already receives millions of visitors annually, and the addition of a world-first drive-through mall has been positioned to elevate the city’s international appeal further. Travellers seeking unique and modern retail experiences are anticipated to incorporate Dubai Square into their itineraries alongside the city’s established attractions such as The Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah.

The mall’s extensive blend of retail, dining, entertainment and hospitality options has been projected to ensure that visitors of all interests will find immersive activities. International investors and global brands have been expected to show strong interest in securing space within the development due to its futuristic identity and strategic placement within a thriving tourism hub.

A Significant Boost to Retail and Real Estate Tourism

Dubai Square has been prepared not only as a commercial centre but also as a major driver of real estate and destination tourism in the UAE. Its combination of residential complexes, hospitality venues and leisure offerings has been aimed at attracting long-term international residents along with holidaymakers. The development reinforces Dubai’s long-standing strategy to merge luxury urban living with tourism-oriented urban design.

Overall, the project reflects the city’s continued ambition to create world-class attractions that redefine global standards in travel and lifestyle infrastructure. With its opening projected within the next three years, Dubai Square is likely to emerge as a landmark shaping the future of retail tourism both in the United Arab Emirates and worldwide.