Dubai, Apr 17 (AP) The operator of Dubai's sprawling Mall of the Emirates, home to an indoor ski slope in the desert sheikhdom, announced plans Wednesday for a $1.3 billion renovation at the mall.

The Dubai-based firm Majid Al Futtaim said the project would turn the mall "into a next-generation lifestyle destination."

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It said another 20,000 square meters of additional space would be added to bring in another 100 stores to the mall, which already has hundreds of shops and restaurants. The mall saw over 40 million visitors in 2024.

The mall, which sits along the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road, long has been a landmark in the city, alongside its other major shopping destination, Dubai Mall. The malls are popular in Dubai's summer months, when temperatures routinely reach 45 degrees Celsius with high humidity.

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Mall of the Emirates first opened in 2005. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)