Dubai Retail Announces 1.3 Million-Square-Foot Skylight Mall Along Al Khail Road for 2027 Opening

Dubai Retail, a retail group under Dubai Holding Asset Management, announced Skylight Mall on Oct. 6, 2026, a new super-regional mall scheduled to open in 2027 along Al Khail Road in Dubai. The 1.3 million-square-foot project is the latest addition to the Dubai retail pipeline and will expand the company's portfolio to 58 malls and lifestyle destinations across the emirate.

Skylight Mall Project Details

Skylight Mall will span 1.3 million square feet of gross leasable area (GLA) and will feature more than 360 stores, the company said. The mall is planned to combine retail with dining, entertainment and everyday services.

The company described the architectural design as contemporary, pairing expansive interiors with refined architectural details to create a sense of openness and scale. Fluid, interconnected spaces are intended to bring together shopping, dining, entertainment and social experiences.

At the stated size, the project works out to roughly 3,600 square feet of GLA per store on average, a figure calculated by dividing the total GLA by the store count. The actual tenant mix is expected to include stores of widely varying sizes, such as potential anchors, specialty retailers, restaurants and service operators.

Location and Catchment Along Al Khail Road

The mall's Al Khail Road location is intended to provide convenient access for residents of Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT), Jumeirah Islands, The Springs and neighboring communities, while also drawing visitors from across the city, according to Dubai Retail.

The placement reflects a broader pattern in Dubai of locating large retail destinations near expanding residential catchments and major road corridors. Al Khail Road offers regional connectivity, while the named communities represent an established and growing customer base.

Dubai Retail Portfolio and Expansion

Skylight Mall brings Dubai Retail's footprint to 58 malls and lifestyle destinations in the emirate. The company's existing portfolio includes Palm Jumeirah Mall, Nad Al Sheba Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Dragon Mart and The Outlet Village, as well as destinations such as Bluewaters, JBR, Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Palm West Beach, alongside retail centers across the city.

Dubai Retail said Skylight Mall reflects its ongoing investment in developing destinations that respond to evolving customer expectations and support Dubai's continued urban growth.

The announcement follows other recent activity from the Dubai Holding group. On Sept. 10, 2026, Dubai Retail unveiled The Yard, described as Palm Jebel Ali's first retail and lifestyle destination. On June 2, 2026, Dubai Holding Asset Management broke ground on Lantana Hills and awarded the AED 680 million premium community to Group AMANA.

Dubai Retail Market Context

Skylight Mall enters a Dubai retail market where existing super-regional malls are operating at occupancy of approximately 95% to 99%, according to a Cushman & Wakefield Core report. Prime super-regional malls command rents of approximately AED 400 to AED 2,000 per square foot, with the upper end supported by near-full occupancy and tenant waiting lists. The wide range reflects differences in location, frontage, floor, tenant category, mall quality and lease structure.

The market is also entering a period of added supply. Al Khail Avenue and Dubai Expo Mall are among the prominent retail developments scheduled for 2026 and 2027, meaning Skylight Mall will open into a competitive pipeline. The same report expects continued strength in prime retail rents in 2026, while secondary and suburban locations are projected to benefit from population growth and infrastructure expansion.

Outlook

With a 2027 opening targeted, Dubai Retail's leasing campaign for more than 360 stores will compete for anchors, international brands, restaurants and entertainment operators with other upcoming malls. The project's mix of shopping, dining and entertainment reflects a continued shift toward experience-led retail destinations in Dubai.

The announcement is a development announcement rather than an investment sale.

Sources

• Dubai Holding press release: Dubai Retail Announces Skylight Mall, a New Super Regional Mall Opening in 2027