BurJuman

BurJuman is a mixed-use retail and commercial landmark in the Bur Dubai district of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Developed and owned by Al Ghurair Group, it combines a shopping mall with office, residential and hospitality components and is closely connected to Dubai’s public-transport network through BurJuman Metro Station. The complex occupies more than 2.8 million square feet of mixed-use space, while the mall itself has been described as covering approximately 800,000 square feet after its major expansion. The original North Wing opened to the public on 5 November 1991, making BurJuman one of Dubai’s oldest shopping malls. At its initial scale, the mall comprised approximately 500,000 square feet. Its early positioning was that of an upscale destination serving residents and visitors in the established Bur Dubai area, with a concentration of fashion, dining and other consumer services. The development later evolved from a conventional shopping center into a broader mixed-use destination incorporating offices, residences and hotel accommodation. A major expansion was announced in 2002 as a project valued at AED 500 million. Construction began in 2004 and included the South Wing, a 30-storey office tower, a 26-storey luxury residential building and a 23-storey hotel building. The South Wing opened to the public in spring 2007, increasing the mall’s area from roughly 500,000 square feet to about 800,000 square feet. The expansion also strengthened BurJuman’s role as an integrated commercial and lifestyle complex rather than solely a retail property. The original North Wing underwent a further modernization program beginning in 2011. The works were intended to unify the architecture of the two wings, refresh the customer experience and introduce additional retail, food-and-beverage and entertainment capacity. Planned improvements included a new cinema level, an enlarged family-entertainment area, a larger food court, a redesigned northern entrance and outdoor dining space. The North Wing closed for renovation in March 2013, and a 5,780-square-metre Carrefour hypermarket opened in the remodeled area on 21 August 2014, providing a major grocery anchor. BurJuman’s retail offer includes more than 300 stores, supported by more than 40 restaurants and cafés. Its principal built components include the mall, the BurJuman Business Tower, BurJuman Residence and hospitality-related facilities. The Business Tower is a 30-storey commercial building, with most of its floors used for offices. BurJuman Residence includes duplex apartments, townhouses and penthouses, together with meeting facilities, parking, a gym and a swimming pool. The associated BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana hotel was reported as closed by April 2024 and was being replaced or converted as part of the BurJuman Vista residential project. The brand has also benefited from transport integration. In December 2012, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and BurJuman formally renamed Khalid Bin Al Waleed Metro Station as BurJuman Station under the Dubai Metro Naming Rights Initiative. This gave the mall a prominent branded presence in Dubai’s metro system and reinforced its accessibility for shoppers, residents, office workers and tourists. BurJuman received two MAXI Merit awards from the International Council of Shopping Centers in November 2003 and was named Mall of the Year at the first Retail Middle East Awards in March 2006.

BurJuman began as a large shopping-center development in Bur Dubai, one of Dubai’s established urban districts. The North Wing opened on 5 November 1991 with approximately 500,000 square feet of space. Its early importance came from its scale, location and upscale retail orientation at a time when Dubai’s modern shopping-mall landscape was still developing. The property was developed and owned by Al Ghurair Group, and it subsequently became one of the city’s recognized retail landmarks. The complex received international retail-industry recognition during its early development. In November 2003, it won two MAXI Merit awards from the International Council of Shopping Centers. In March 2006, it received the Mall of the Year award at the inaugural Retail Middle East Awards. These distinctions reflected the mall’s position as a prominent regional shopping destination rather than merely a neighborhood retail facility. BurJuman’s major transformation was announced in 2002 through an AED 500 million expansion program. Construction started in 2004 and incorporated several connected uses: a new South Wing, a luxury residential building, a hotel building and an office tower. The South Wing opened in spring 2007, expanding the mall to approximately 800,000 square feet. The wider project established a mixed-use format in which shopping, dining, business, residential living and hospitality were organized around one branded destination. The associated BurJuman Business Tower is a 30-storey office building and has been described as the tallest tower in its immediate area. BurJuman Residence was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox and includes 80 duplex apartments, 10 townhouses and five penthouses. It also includes meeting rooms, underground parking, a gym and a swimming pool. The residence opened for tenants in July 2006. The hospitality component, BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana, occupied a nearby site next to the residence, although it was reported closed by April 2024 as the property moved toward residential redevelopment. The original North Wing later underwent another major renewal. BurJuman announced the project in May 2011 to modernize the wing, improve architectural continuity with the South Wing and strengthen its retail and leisure offer. The plans included a fourth floor for a cinema complex, an expanded family-entertainment area, a larger food court linked to the South Wing’s Pavilion Gardens, new food-and-beverage tenants, a redesigned northern entrance and an alfresco dining area. The proposed retail area was expected to increase from approximately 800,000 square feet to approximately one million square feet. The North Wing closed for renovation in March 2013, and the remodeled section reopened with a 5,780-square-metre Carrefour hypermarket on 21 August 2014. Transport connectivity became another part of BurJuman’s identity. The nearby Khalid Bin Al Waleed Metro Station was renamed BurJuman Station in December 2012 through an agreement involving Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and the mall. The renaming was part of Dubai Metro’s Naming Rights Initiative and gave the brand visibility across one of the city’s most important public-transport systems. Today, BurJuman is presented as a mixed-use destination with more than 300 retail stores and more than 40 restaurants and cafés. Its offer extends beyond shopping to grocery retail, dining, family entertainment, offices, residences and transport access. The mall remains active, while some associated hospitality assets have changed status as the surrounding complex continues to be repositioned and redeveloped.

• 2014

  Carrefour opens in renovated North Wing

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  A 5,780-square-metre Carrefour hypermarket opened on 21 August as a major anchor tenant.

• 2013

  North Wing closes for renovation

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  The original North Wing was closed to allow the planned modernization works to proceed.

• 2012

  Metro station receives BurJuman name

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Khalid Bin Al Waleed Station was officially renamed BurJuman Station under Dubai Metro’s Naming Rights Initiative.

• 2011

  North Wing renovation announced

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  BurJuman announced a major renovation intended to refresh the North Wing and add dining, entertainment and anchor-retail capacity.

• 2007

  South Wing opens

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  The South Wing opened in spring 2007, expanding the mall from approximately 500,000 to approximately 800,000 square feet.

• 2006

  Receives Mall of the Year award

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  BurJuman was named Mall of the Year at the first Retail Middle East Awards.

• 2003

  Receives two MAXI Merit awards

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  BurJuman won two MAXI Merit awards from the International Council of Shopping Centers.

• 2002

  Major expansion announced

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Al Ghurair Group announced an AED 500 million expansion involving new retail, office, residential and hotel facilities.

• 1991

  North Wing opens

  [1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  The original North Wing opened to the public on 5 November, establishing BurJuman as one of Dubai’s earliest major shopping malls.

An established, upscale mixed-use shopping and lifestyle destination in central Bur Dubai, combining retail, dining, entertainment, offices, residences and convenient metro access.

• Shopping mall · 1991

  BurJuman Mall

  The core retail property in the complex, offering more than 300 stores across fashion, accessories, consumer services and other categories. The mall also contains more than 40 restaurants and cafés, family-oriented leisure facilities and a large food-court offer. Its North and South Wings form the principal customer-facing retail environment.

• Grocery hypermarket · 2014

  Carrefour at BurJuman

  A 5,780-square-metre Carrefour hypermarket opened in the renovated North Wing on 21 August 2014. It serves as a major grocery anchor and broadens the mall’s offer beyond discretionary and luxury retail.

• Office property

  BurJuman Business Tower

  A 30-storey office tower adjacent to the mall. Twenty-two floors are used for office purposes, making the tower an important commercial component of the wider BurJuman mixed-use development.

• Residential property · 2006

  BurJuman Residence

  A luxury residential building designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. The residence comprises 80 duplex apartments, 10 townhouses and five penthouses, supported by meeting rooms, underground parking, a gym and a swimming pool.

• Hotel

  BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana

  A hospitality property located near BurJuman Residence and the mall. It was reported closed by April 2024 and associated redevelopment was described as moving toward residential use under the BurJuman Vista project.

• 2012BurJuman Metro Station naming-rights initiative

  Dubai · United Arab Emirates

  BurJuman partnered with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority in the renaming of Khalid Bin Al Waleed Metro Station. The initiative associated the mall’s name with a major Dubai Metro interchange and improved branded wayfinding for visitors.

  Outcome. The station became known as BurJuman Station in December 2012, strengthening the destination’s public-transport visibility.

  Source

• 2024

  Transition hospitality space toward residential redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana property was reported closed by April 2024 as the surrounding complex continued to evolve.

  Action taken

  The former hotel site was described as being replaced or converted for residential use under the BurJuman Vista project.

  Aftermath

  The change reduces the hospitality component associated with the complex while increasing its residential orientation.

  Source

• 2014

  Open Carrefour hypermarketProduct launch

  Background

  The renovated North Wing required a substantial anchor tenant capable of attracting regular grocery and household-shopping traffic.

  Action taken

  A 5,780-square-metre Carrefour hypermarket opened on 21 August 2014.

  Aftermath

  Carrefour became a key anchor in the remodeled North Wing and diversified the mall’s visitor proposition.

  Source

• 2011

  Modernize the North WingStrategy

  Background

  The original North Wing required renewal to align it with the newer South Wing and to strengthen BurJuman’s retail, entertainment and dining offer.

  Action taken

  BurJuman announced architectural improvements, a cinema level, expanded family entertainment and food-court facilities, a redesigned entrance, alfresco dining and new anchor tenants.

  Aftermath

  The North Wing closed for renovation in March 2013, and the remodeled space gained a Carrefour hypermarket in August 2014.

  Source

• 2002

  Approve a large mixed-use expansionStrategy

  Background

  BurJuman sought to increase its scale and broaden its role beyond a shopping mall in Dubai’s expanding retail and property market.

  Action taken

  An AED 500 million expansion was announced, covering the South Wing, an office tower, a residential building and a hotel building.

  Aftermath

  Construction began in 2004, and the South Wing opened in spring 2007, creating a larger mixed-use destination.

  Announced project value. AED 500 million (2002 announcement)

  Source

• 2024

  BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana reported closed[1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  By April 2024, the BurJuman Arjaan by Rotana hotel was reported as closed and associated redevelopment was described as conversion or replacement for residential use under the BurJuman Vista project.

• 2014

  Carrefour opens at remodeled BurJuman North Wing[1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  A 5,780-square-metre Carrefour hypermarket opened on 21 August 2014 as a key anchor in the renovated North Wing.

• 2013

  BurJuman North Wing closes for renovation[1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The North Wing was closed as part of the modernization program announced in 2011.

• 2012

  Khalid Bin Al Waleed Metro Station renamed BurJuman Station[1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority and BurJuman completed the station renaming under the Dubai Metro Naming Rights Initiative.

• 2011

  BurJuman announces major North Wing renovation[1]BurJumanen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  BurJuman announced a substantial renovation of its original North Wing, including architectural upgrades, additional entertainment and dining space, a redesigned entrance and new anchor-tenancy plans.

1. 1BurJumanen.wikipedia.org
2. 2BurJuman official websiteburjuman.com