Mercato - Italian For Market

In my series on malls of Dubai, this post is about the Mercato Mall.

The Jumeirah road is one of the most upscale streets of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is part of one of the fastest growing and probably the most prestigious residential and retail districts which houses several hotels resort and private residential properties. On one end of the road is “Souk Madinat Jumeirah” which I have described in my earlier post. That one is based on the traditional Arab Islamic souk concept. The Mercato on the other hand is with Italian, French and Spanish flavors and the literal translation of this Italian word (Mercato) is “Market”. Looking back at history we see centuries ago, peasants would bring their produce and goods for trade to the Mercato. As time passed and the concept grew popularity the shops became permanent features. The place started to gain social importance in the sense of community living. People used to meet for coffee and chatted for hours while all the shops started to face inwards to attract customers and get maximum visibility. At sunset this square would turn into a venue for events, festivities and concerts.

Famous Italian architect, Daniele Morelli, adopted the concept of several squares of a traditional Mediterranean market place usually the focal point of any community to design the interior of the Mercato Mall. This is a venue of Venetian costume parade and other similar activities by Italian and other European performers specially flown in to Dubai for the occasion. Otherwise this is just another mall with all the big name brands like all other malls of Dubai.

My particular favorite in this mall the meeting place at the centre with a beautiful skylight on the top. This is the place where tourists and visitors meet for coffee and a quick snack with loads of catching up with friends. A symbol of Good life and good Living!