Imagine shopping under a canopy of trees, in the heart of Dubai. That’s the vision behind Ghaf Woods Mall, a lush, integrated retail and lifestyle destination recently unveiled by Majid Al Futtaim. Set within the UAE’s first forest living community, the mall blends nature with innovation—and marks a major step in reimagining retail in the Middle East. With over 115 stores, a premium cinema, and eco-conscious design, this isn’t just another mall opening. It’s a signpost to the future of green urban living.
The air smells faintly of pine, and filtered sunlight dances through leafy branches. No, you’re not in a forest in Europe. You’re in Dubai—inside a shopping mall.
Welcome to Ghaf Woods Mall, the latest brainchild of retail giant Majid Al Futtaim. Nestled within the UAE’s first forest living community, the newly announced mall doesn’t just promise convenience. It’s a destination. A sanctuary. A statement.
“We didn’t want to build another box,” says a smiling project architect as she stands amid renderings of cascading green terraces and open-air courtyards. “We wanted to build an experience.”
Ghaf Woods Mall is part of a much larger vision—a 738,000-square-metre master community project launched by Majid Al Futtaim in early 2024. Located in Dubai’s rapidly developing Dubailand district, the community is designed around the indigenous Ghaf tree, known for its resilience and shade-giving canopy. The mall will serve as the beating heart of this forest-inspired development.
Spanning 116,000 square metres, Ghaf Woods Mall will feature:
But this isn’t just a shopping haven. It’s a lifestyle ecosystem. “We envision families spending entire days here,” says the project’s community manager. “You can catch a movie, go hiking through nature trails, shop, dine, and even attend wellness workshops—all in one green, breathable space.”
The mall’s design pays homage to the Ghaf tree itself. Organic shapes dominate the structure, with flowing lines, wooden textures, and vertical gardens softening the commercial edges. The interiors are bathed in natural light, with skylights and plant-covered walls creating a serene, almost meditative retail experience.
It’s a bold departure from Dubai’s traditional retail model, which has long focused on size, luxury, and spectacle. Ghaf Woods Mall flips that script—offering something quieter, greener, more human.
Majid Al Futtaim, already a household name across the region for its Mall of the Emirates and City Centre brands, is clearly betting big on a change in consumer values. Sustainability, wellness, and connection to nature are no longer buzzwords. They’re business drivers.
“This is about redefining urban living,” says Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim – Holding. “The mall is not an island. It’s part of a living, breathing forest community.”
The Ghaf Woods community itself is expected to house thousands of residents across low-rise apartments and villas, with walking paths, shaded boulevards, and over 35,000 trees. The mall will serve both as a local hub and a regional draw for eco-conscious consumers and tourists alike.
Construction will follow sustainable development standards aligned with UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. In fact, the entire Ghaf Woods project has been positioned as a blueprint for future developments in the region—where climate resilience and livability go hand in hand.
For investors, Ghaf Woods Mall signals a powerful shift in Dubai’s real estate narrative. While the emirate has long attracted attention for its skyscrapers and glitz, the emergence of forest-style, wellness-focused lifestyle communities marks a new phase in urban development—and opportunity.
The mall will act as a central value anchor for Ghaf Woods’ residential offerings. Properties within walking distance of major lifestyle amenities—especially those rooted in sustainability—are increasingly popular with both end-users and investors. According to a 2023 Knight Frank report, properties in integrated communities with green credentials appreciate 12–18% faster than standard suburban units.
Furthermore, Dubai’s broader push toward ESG-aligned development, combined with the emirate's consistent population growth, creates a fertile ground for long-term investment. Retail footfall in well-planned, experience-driven malls remains strong, especially when paired with unique positioning like the nature-immersive environment Ghaf Woods offers.
In short, Ghaf Woods Mall is more than an architectural marvel. It’s an anchor for a new kind of living—and a magnet for forward-looking capital.
