Click on image to enlarge

All photos courtesy of Chris Eden/Callison

In response to local market conditions, property developer Nakheel turned to Callison to reposition plans for an outlet mall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, into an upscale shopping center. Callison's expeditious redesign of the project resulted in the Ibn Battuta Mall, a lavish, themed retail experience attracting tourists and local residents alike. "Nakheel responded to a rapidly changing marketplace," said Ro Shroff, a principal with Callison. "They asked us to reposition the mall's design with a theme and a story line to create a retail destination."

The inspiration behind the mall's architecture comes from the travels of the legendary 14th-century Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta. The design creates a corresponding theme of discovery between the shopping experience and the travels of Ibn Battuta. Each of the mall's six elaborate, themed courts represents a region visited by Ibn Battuta 600 years ago: Andalusia, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia, India, and China. The shopping courts are richly and authentically detailed with tile mosaics, interior arches, and domed ceilings along with life-size replicas of an Elephant Water Clock and Chinese Junk. The mall houses 275 retailers, a 21-screen Megaplex, the UAE's first IMAX experience, restaurants, a fitness center, and a hypermarket within 1.5 million sq. ft.

"The mall symbolizes Dubai with its distinctive design that embodies a perfect blend of tradition and modernity," said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, executive chairman of Nakheel. "Since opening, Ibn Battuta Mall has experienced phenomenal success. Its spectacular architecture, state-of-the-art 21-screen cinema, and diverse range of shopping outlets have provided an enticing lure for the whole of Dubai and the surrounding region."