UAE: New mall allows unique drive-through experience, reveals in Dubai
Mohammed Alabbar, founder of Emaar and Noon, shared exciting plans for an upcoming mall in Dubai that will revolutionize the shopping experience.
The unique feature of this mall will be the ability for customers to drive through it in electric cars. Alabbar revealed this innovative concept at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival (SEF) 2024, stating that it will be located in Dubai Creek Harbor.
"We are exploring an innovative concept," Alabbar expressed during SEF 2024. "This marks the inaugural instance of cars entering a mall, making it exceptionally distinctive. The idea was not originated by us; rather, we drew inspiration from elsewhere."
In addition to the groundbreaking mall, Alabbar unveiled plans for a new tower in Dubai, describing it as the 'female Burj Khalifa.' The tower will have its own distinctive elegance, reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, albeit on a smaller scale than the iconic Burj Khalifa.
Discussing previous decisions, Alabbar explained why the company decided to change its plans for a one-kilometer-long tower at Dubai Creek Harbor. “We realized we made a mistake,” he acknowledged. “We build these towers because we make money out of the apartments that look at the tower. We don’t make any money from the tower. Our buildings are only 50 stories tall, so why do we have to build a tower that is one kilometer tall?”
He further shared that the first look of the new tower would be released in the next couple of months and that it is considered the 'female' version of Burj Khalifa. The Dubai Creek Harbor project, sprawling over six million square meters, is expected to become the 'new downtown.'
During the SEF 2024 session on 'towering success: what it takes to build a business empire,' Alabbar reflected on his observations and admitted to mistakes made in his entrepreneurial journey. He emphasized the importance of leadership and learning from a team, attributing his success to his collaboration with amazing people.
Alabbar also candidly acknowledged past mistakes, such as selling Emaar’s hotels, stating it was a "stupid" decision. He underscored the value of humility for entrepreneurs and the need to surround oneself with talented individuals.
