Upcoming Dubai destination Cityland will be centred around a sprawling botanic garden.

We haven’t exactly got a shortage of places to shop here in the UAE… but we’ll never say no to another one.

And a mall coming to Dubai later this year looks set to offer something a bit different to the rest.

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Cityland is on track to open towards the end of the year, when visitors will be able to flock to the “nature-inspired” shopping destination.

A mall that blends flowers and fashion? We’re sold.

cityland mall

The entire development will be centred around a “colossal” open-air botanic garden, which will feature 200,000 square feet of “awe-inspiring floral specimens”.

Flora and fauna aside, the mall—which is located adjacent to Global Village in Dubailand—will also house more than 350 stores, as well as a giant Carrefour and a massive VOX Cinema.

Construction is 60 per cent complete, developers said this week, and gave a sneak peek at what the site currently looks like:

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It’s the brainchild of developers Cityland Group, which have already given the city the Dubai Miracle Garden and Dubai Butterfly Garden.

Their latest venture is equally as ecologically minded, with the mall’s “Central Park” set to feature a 300-year-old ancient tree garden, a Japanese garden, and a mini version of the aforementioned Miracle Garden.

There’s also going to be a walking track, a small water park, a rooftop garden, and a selection of restaurants and cafes overlooking the scenic spot.

cityland mall

It’ll also house a 3,000-seat amphitheatre (and a mini one for kids) for the performing arts, making it a real cultural and educational hotspot (as well as a place to sort out your new-season wardrobe).

The developers hope Cityland Mall will “cultivate a soulful experience” for shoppers and tourists, as well as importantly preserving some of nature’s rich biodiversity.

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Shopping wise, you can expect more than 100 fashion-focused stores, along with 75 shops in the hypermarket district, plus a 20-restaurant food court and 22 park-surrounding eateries.

 We’re excited already…