Iran Mall
| بازار بزرگ ایران | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | Chitgar Lake, Tehran, Iran |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 35°45′12.2″N 51°11′32.7″E / 35.753389°N 51.192417°E |
| Opening date | 1 May 2018 |
| Owner | Ayandeh Bank |
| Stores and services | 2500+ |
| Floor area | 1,950,000 square metres (21,000,000 sq ft) |
| Floors | 7 |
| Parking | 20,000+ |
| Website | IranMall.com |
The Iran Mall (Persian: ایران مال) is the world’s largest shopping mall, located in northwest Tehran, Iran, by Chitgar Lake.[1][2][3]
The multi-purpose complex was designed on land with an area of 317,000 square metres (3,410,000 sq ft) and seven floors. Its infrastructure area in the first phase is 1,350,000 m2 (14,500,000 sq ft), which will be increased to 1,600,000 m2 (17,000,000 sq ft) when all the development phases are completed.
The first phase with the capacity of 267,000 m2 (2,870,000 sq ft) of gross leasable area and 708 retail units was opened on 1 May 2018.[4]
Over 1,200 contractors and 25,000 workers took part in the construction of Iran Mall. The facility is owned by Ayandeh Bank.[5] The original idea of building such a large complex came from the well-known Iranian entrepreneur, Ali Ansari, who has also been the chief executive of constructing the Iran Mall.[6]
International honours and records
[edit]The Iran Mall has attended Mapic for three years (from 2015 to 2017) and has also been awarded by RLI as the best-anticipated shopping mall in terms of dimensions and spaces of services, culture and entertainment in 2017.[7][8][9]
According to the Guinness World Records, the longest continuous concrete pour was completed for the Iran Mall. This record was achieved between 1 and 6 March 2018.[10]
Attractions
[edit]Traditional bazaar
[edit]The traditional bazaar of the Iran Mall is inspired by the markets of Isfahan, Kashan, Shiraz, Qazvin, and Qom. The collection was designed and built based on historical patterns and methods of Iranian architecture such as historical markets and related buildings.
Didar Garden
[edit]Didar Garden's roof is 14 m (46 ft) long, made of glass and is decorated with fountains and palm trees.
Mahan Garden
[edit]Mahan Garden with a width of 50 m (160 ft) and an approximate length of 170 m (560 ft) and an area of about 16,000 m2 (170,000 sq ft) has been built on three floors of the first to second commercial parking on five levels.
Mirror Hall
[edit]Featuring Ayeneh-kari decorations, Iran Mall's Mirror Hall is based on the design of the Mirror Hall in Golestan Palace.[11]
Traditional drink shop
[edit]On the southeastern side of the traditional bazaar of the Iran Mall, an area of 250 m2 (2,700 sq ft) is devoted to a traditional drink shop.
Library
[edit]The Iran Mall offers a separate structure known as the Jondishapour Library, named after Jondishapur University.
Car showroom
[edit]A car showroom is located in the west of the Iran Mall.
Hotel and World Trade Center
[edit]
Iran Mall Hotel is one of the biggest parts of this complex. This huge and bright structure, which is located in the easternmost part of Iran Mall, has 18 floors and more than 300 rooms. The hotel is in the final stages of construction. The World Trade Center, which is a tower located in the west wing of the Iran Mall, will be dedicated to large national and international companies and various commercial and administrative uses after it is built.[12][13][14]
Use during the COVID-19 pandemic
[edit]On 16 March 2020, for the first time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iran Mall closed all of its units and set up a convalescent centre for patients with COVID-19. This convalescent centre was established in less than three days with a capacity of 3,000 beds and continued to operate for two months.[15]
In May 2021, the Mall's vaccination centre started operating as one of the biggest vaccination zones in the country; the centre, with a capacity of injecting more than 20,000 vaccine doses, provided services to citizens until at least December 2021.[16]
Comparison to the Dubai Mall
[edit]Dubai Mall is widely considered a far better shopping and entertainment destination than Iran Mall, even though Iran Mall is physically larger. What makes Dubai Mall superior goes beyond size—it’s about the overall experience, global influence, and exceptional quality of attractions, services, and brands.
Global Recognition and Location
[edit]Dubai Mall is one of the most visited places in the world, attracting over 100 million visitors annually. It sits at the heart of Downtown Dubai, next to the iconic Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain, forming part of one of the most luxurious and photographed urban districts globally. Iran Mall does not share this same international recognition or centrality in a globally connected city.
Shopping Experience and Brands
[edit]Dubai Mall offers over 1,200 stores, including flagship outlets for nearly every major international luxury brand—from Louis Vuitton and Chanel to Apple and Cartier. Many of these brands do not have branches in Iran due to trade restrictions. In contrast, Iran Mall’s retail options are more locally oriented and lack the same level of global variety.
Entertainment and Attractions
[edit]Dubai Mall goes far beyond shopping. It features world-class attractions such as the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo, the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink, VR Park for virtual reality gaming, and KidZania for children. Iran Mall offers attractions like a traditional bazaar and cultural spaces, but Dubai Mall’s entertainment options are far more advanced, diverse, and technology-driven.
Accessibility and Tourism
[edit]Dubai Mall benefits from Dubai’s position as a global travel hub with one of the busiest international airports nearby. Visitors from all over the world can easily access the mall. Iran Mall, on the other hand, primarily serves local and regional visitors due to travel restrictions and less international connectivity.
Design and Experience Quality
[edit]While Iran Mall’s architecture is massive and rich with traditional Persian motifs, Dubai Mall’s design combines elegance with cutting-edge modernity. The integration of high-end dining, luxury hotels like Address Dubai Mall, and direct access to the Dubai Metro make the visitor experience seamless and upscale.
Economic and Cultural Impact
[edit]Dubai Mall plays a significant role in shaping Dubai’s global image as a center for luxury, innovation, and tourism. It helps drive the economy by hosting international events, exhibitions, and fashion weeks. Iran Mall’s impact remains largely domestic due to Iran’s more limited participation in global markets.
In essence, Iran Mall may be larger in square footage, but Dubai Mall surpasses it in international prestige, luxury, diversity, and visitor experience—making it a truly world-class destination unmatched in global influence.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "Largest malls worldwide, by GLA 2020".
- ^ "The 10 Biggest Shopping Malls In The World". WorldAtlas. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "Top 20 Biggest Malls in the World". Eucarl Hotels. 4 January 2022. Archived from the original on 18 November 2023. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ^ "Iran Mall's 1st Phase Takes Off". Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ "Ayandeh Bank Wants to Sell $3.5 Billion Iran Mall". Financial Tribune. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ Briggs, Fiona. "Businessman funds conversion of one of world's largest shopping centres into 3,000-bed hospital in Tehran". Retail Times. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "RLI most anticipated opening 2017". Archived from the original on 22 October 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ tamel (13 December 2017). "Iran Mall, Luxury in Tehran". YesICannes. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ https://trendzmena.com/building-a-shopping-mall-issue1/
- ^ "Iranmall's Guinness World Records".
- ^ https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/iran-mall
- ^ team, I. B. R. (15 May 2024). "Iran Mall Uncovered: An Insider's Look at the World's Largest Mall". Iran Brands Review. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ Das, Bipro (27 March 2024). "19 Biggest Malls In The World | 2024 Edition". RankRed.
- ^ Says, Iadmin (27 September 2021). "Top 10 Biggest Shopping Malls In The World 2022". Infos-10. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Iran Mall home to 3000 COVID-19 patients". iranpress.com. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ "COVID-19 vaccination program launched in Tehran's largest mall". Pars Today. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
- ^ https://tehranoffers.com/iran-mall-shopping-center-in-tehran/