The much-awaited mall was originally due to open in August but it was postponed due to construction delays, mainly associated with car parking. Then it was due to open yesterday but the frenzy activity on site made it clear that it was still not ready.
Water is covering the lower parking level, the telephone network is experiencing problems, only a few shops seemed to be full of merchandise and many are still boarded up but the developers are confident it will now open on November 4.
This postponement may not come as a surprise to most in Dubai, as project delays have become almost as famous as the developments themselves.
A statement from Emaar Malls, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, said the company is confident that the extra few days will give sufficient time for the finishing touches to be put in place.
'The new opening date for The Dubai Mall, one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, is November 4, 2008,' the statement said.
Some merchants said they were glad of the extra time. 'I am happy. It gives us more time to prepare,' said Nabil Daud, regional CEO of toy store Hamleys, which will open its first store outside of the UK at Dubai Mall.
The Dubai Mall has a total built-up area of 5.9 million square feet and will house around 1,200 retail outlets. It will also feature the world's biggest gold souq, with 220 retailers and an Olympic sized- ice rink.
However, perhaps the most-talked about feature of the whole mall is the aquarium. Complete with the world's largest viewing panel, visitors can walk through a 270-degree walkthrough tunnel to view over 33,000 aquatic creatures. These creatures include the largest single school of sharks on earth, with a total of 400.
Flagship stores include French retailer Galeries Lafayette and US department store Bloomingdale's and upmarket UK supermarket chain Waitrose.
