“Milan of the Middle East” Gets Underway

One of the most ambitious retail developments anywhere in the world is taking shape in Dubai. Azizi Developments, a private developer based in the UAE, has unveiled plans for Azizi Milan, a master-planned community that it says will be “guided by the principles of sustainability, nature and the cultured refinement of Italian fashion.”

In keeping with that theme, the 40 million-square-foot complex will feature pedestrian-only fashion streets, each dedicated to their own realm of fashion, including one for perfumery, one for cosmetics, and more for bags, dress fashion and beyond.

“Lined with an ample number of high-fashion brands and boutique shops, as well as numerous cafes, fine-dining restaurants and nightlife entertainment options, Azizi Milan will form a focal point for those who enjoy the city’s vibrant after-hours, as well as for those wanting to be part of internationally acclaimed fashion shows and other high-caliber events that will be hosted there,” the developer said in its news release.

In addition to its fashion boulevards and dining/entertainment options, the complex will include housing (80,000-plus apartments and homes), offices and hotels, as well as schools, nurseries, mosques, wellness facilities and parks. Its tallest towers, which will serve as the development’s northern boundary, will rise up to 70 stories, while low- to mid-rises of 25 to 35 stories will populate its center.

In its coverage of Azizi Milan, Gulf News reported that this is the second complex the developer has undertaken in Dubai that’s named/themed after an Italian city, with one for Venice being the first. Work on that project began two years ago, with the goal of delivering its first housing to buyers in 2027, GN said. (A launch event for Azizi Milan, which included 10,000 guests, was held last month. While home sales have started for the site, an overall construction timetable has not been disclosed.)

Assuming it comes to fruition, Azizi Milan will join several other high-profile destinations in Dubai, including the 163-story Burj Khalifa skyscraper and the uber-luxe Atlantis and Palm resorts.