The Dubai Mall is a centerpiece of Downtown Burj Dubai, a 500-acre mega-development by Emaar Properties that was touted to be the new heart of the city. As the largest mall in the world, it occupies an area of 12 million square feet with 5.9 million square feet of internal retail floor area and 3.77 million square feet of gross leasable area. This is equivalent to the size of more than 50 international-class soccer pitches. Over 1,200 stores reside within this mega complex, offering a retail mix unmatched by any other mall in the world. As a hallmark of world-class attractions, the Dubai Mall features a colossal aquarium showcasing sharks, rays and other fascinating marine life, the world’s largest Gold Souk (a type of traditional market), an Olympic sized ice rink and a spectacular outdoor water fountain illuminating the Mall’s promenade.