Dubai: A remarkable change has turned Dubai’s JBR Walk into a lifetime experience of luxury with the opening of the new outdoor cinema and the beachfront mall.
The day has nearly arrived for the opening of the new beach shopping complex on JBR, and it’s looking like a great spot — even if at first people were against the idea of the shopping mall right in front of their houses.
JBR’s residents are excited about the open-air cinema, the first of its kind in the country, and the mall with shops and restaurants that run along the beachfront from The Hilton Hotel at one end to the Sheraton Hotel at the other.
According to Meraas, developer of JBR’s Beach, “The Beach will include a dynamic mix of top brands and attractions offering everything from casual eating, signature fine dining, luxury retail and a range of attractions from the traditional luxury zone to the exciting entertainment zone at the opposite end keeping an underlying and consistent framework to ensure overall cohesion.”
Another fun element along JBR beach are these very impressive sand sculptures. As part of the beach complex, these stunning gigantic sandcastles have been created, one of which represents all of Dubai’s most loved landmarks.
The project will create more than 70 new retail, food and beverage and entertainment outlets. Bait Al Bahar, a four-floor beachfront restaurant and cafe, with terrace, off Jumeirah Beach, will be one of the highlights of the beachfront mall.
It will offer a very special dining experience that embraces authentic tastes and flavours, along with elegant modern touches. Once you set foot in Bait Al Bahr, you will take pleasure in the charming atmosphere. Amid open terraces overlooking the Beach, Bait Al Bahr will offer you the best place in the city to relax.
A cross-section of JBR residents told Gulf News that they liked the new attractions but a few did not.
Some residents said although they are looking forward to the new attractions, they worry about the effects on traffic and rents.
Meraas said the upgrades will enhance traffic and pedestrian flow in and around The Walk and JBR, and will contribute to easy connectivity, with future tram stops as well as improved linkage for pedestrian flow to Dubai Marina.
For Syrian Noor Chaykhoni, 17, and her Saudi friend Raheed Allaf, also 17, the new mall at JBR is impressive, very well designed and organised.
“When they first started building it, I hated the idea because so many shops were closing and it was ruining my view of the beach. I hated how they took up so much space of what used to be the parking area,” Noha Bakkar, a 17-year old Syrian girl, said.
“But I was amazed by how beautiful the area was. It’s the perfect place to hang out and shop. It reminds me so much of the mall in Miami because of the palm trees theme,” she added.
Dania Yousuf, 24, a Jordanian, said it is an amazing place with eye-catching views where you can watch a movie (indoors and outdoors), you can eat in all kinds of restaurants on the beach, you can take a picture on the beach and send it to yourself using these stands around the mall, you can shop for clothes and you can even go to the waterpark.”
Sahar Abu Sunainah, 28, a Palestinian pharmacist, said, “I am really excited to sea sand sculptures that represent Dubai’s landmarks along the Beach. The only problem I think would happen is that it would get very crowded, but that will not stop anyone from going there. It’s perfection and I am so proud of Dubai for doing such an amazing project.”
Natalya Al Omary, a 17 year-old Syrian girl, said, “I am very excited to go to the open cinema. I am sure it will be a nice experience.”
Tala Essam, a 15-year-old Egyptian girl, said, “I always go with my friends to JBR where we enjoy walking and dining. I believe it will be a new experience with the new attractions.”
