The shortlisted contractors are the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct with the local Arab Technical Construction Company (Arabtec), the local/Lebanese Arabian Construction Company (ACC), and Khansaheb Civil Engineering and Associated Construction & Investments (Ascon), both local. Ten international and local companies submitted bids by the end of August for the estimated AED 400 million ($109 million) contract. It covers the construction of a two-storey complex offering 2.4 million square feet of retail space and entertainment facilities. The complex will take about two years to complete.

The Mall of the Emirates project will be carried out in several packages. Bids are due to be submitted for the other major package, the snow centre and the west car park, by 22 September. The contract, worth AED 200 million ($54 million), covers the construction of: a 1,500-capacity ski resort; five ski runs, including a 400-metre-long ski slope; chiller units with capacity of 6,000 tonnes of snow; and related works.

The Mall will be located at Al-Barsha on Sheikh Zayed highway. The project manager is the UK's Mace; the structural engineering consultant is Mott MacDonald, also of the UK. The client is the local Majid al-Futtaim Group of Companies.