Dubai-based Emaar Properties is planning to extend the size of its Dubai mall development by more than one million square feet.

The expansion would increase the size of the mall development by 8 per cent from its current 12 million square feet. The expansion will involve the addition of further retail outlets and hotel rooms.

The Dubai Mall is located in the downtown area of Dubai, next to the Burj Khalifa tower, and currently has more than 1,200 shops and 160 food and beverage outlets. The mall received more than 54 million visitors in 2011.

Emaar recently announced that it was to build a pedestrian link that will connect the Dubai Mall metro station with the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa development.

The 820-metre long Dubai Mall Metro Link will be constructed by the local Dutco. The link will have 10 travellators, each with a length of between 70 and 120 metres. There will an additional central walkway that will give additional space for pedestrian use. The pedestrian link is scheduled to open in 2013.