Dubai: Long before the plethora of swanky malls sprang up in Dubai, the yesteryear souqs of the old districts had established the city as a shopper’s paradise. Then came the Karama Shopping Complex in the bustling neighbourhood of Karama in 1975. It was perhaps one of the earliest versions of a strip mall as we know it today as it changed the very look and feel of the shopping experience.
Forty-two years on, it is to the credit of this landmark complex that it has held its own, withstanding the vagaries of time, including the blitzkrieg of the modern-day malls, acclaimed to be among the world’s best.
As Zainab Mohammad, chief property management and marketing officer at wasl properties, which manages the complex, told XPRESS, “Dubai’s new shopping malls and complexes are fully contained environments with concept stores, primarily housing well-known brands. But the unique shopping experience of Karama Shopping Complex cannot be replicated by the environment of a typical mall. It offers a hustle and bustle and a real urban appeal that is now rare and unique in the emirate, with the added value that it attracts a diverse range of shopkeepers and small businesses, with any unique product or business idea able to set up at the complex. This offers a great variety of choice which is outside the more restrictive range you would find elsewhere in the city.”
She said the walls of the shopping complex hold generations of stories to share, and their stories reflect Dubai’s story. “They have seen the making and breaking of fortunes with people from across the region visiting, each adding a unique perspective.”
Sight to behold
As it turns out, these walls don’t just have ears. Today, they are also a sight to behold, thanks to a grand refurbishment project undertaken by wasl properties to give the complex a face-lift.
There are 12 buildings in the shopping complex that house 319 retail shops. Each of the 24 outer walls of the centre carries an artwork, from graffiti to 3D art, the themes as varied as they can possibly get in a place like Dubai.
Just one element of wasl’s extensive “rejuvenation” plan for Karama, the new kaleidoscope has been created by experienced street art specialists Graffiti and contributors like Muhriz Murad, Mohammad Fakhri and Abdul Rashid, known for their realism and illustration, Zainab said.
“The artists weren’t provided with parameters through any brief or theme, so they were free to express their creativity. The result is a series of artworks which comprise a mix of contemporary and traditional styles, infused with elements from nature.”
Zainab said the works lend an artistic touch and attract visitors from within Dubai and outside. The additional footfall is expected to provide a boost not only to retailers in the Karama Centre, but also nearby businesses.
