Dubai - Mubasher: Nakheel officially opened on Thursday a new link connecting Ibn Battuta Mall with the Dubai Metro, according to a press release.

The AED135 million expansion at the world’s largest themed shopping mall, is the second element of Nakheel’s Ibn Battuta phase one expansion which plan also includes a 300,000 square feet extension to the mall that officially opened earlier this year, Nakheel said in the statement, adding that a second 4.7 million square feet expansion, is under way.

“We continue to enhance and upgrade our existing malls with new facilities and attractions that benefit customers and retailers, while at the same time delivering a new and diverse range of retail and leisure developments,” said the chairman of Nakheel, Ali Rashid Lootah.

“Nakheel Malls’ project portfolio is set to become the largest in Dubai, with more than 17 million square feet of leasable space in operation or in the pipeline,” he added.

The two-storey, 210 metre walkway means Dubai Metro and bus users can now directly access the mall and its 400 shops, restaurants and attractions.

The mall-metro link itself features 90 new retail and dining outlets including a second food court with around 20 restaurants.