Work on the 1.3 million square-meter Burj Mal is scheduled for completion by the end of 2006, London-based Balfour said in a Regulatory News Service statement.
The shopping centre, which is to include 320 acres of shopping space on four floors, will form part of the complex surrounding the Burj Tower, which, at 700 meters, is to be the world's tallest building.
Toronto's CN Tower, at 553 meters, is currently the world's tallest tower, the Guinness World Records Web site says. The Taipei Financial Center is, at 508 meters, the tallest office building.
The West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada, is listed as the largest shopping center, with an area of 483,000 square meters, or 119 acres.
The Burj Mall will include a three-story aquarium in its atrium and is anticipated to attract 50,000 shoppers at peak times.
Dubai, rated as the world's fastest-growing tourist destination, with five million visitors a year, is hosting a range of construction projects including the world's first underwater hotel, a revolving ski slope and a collection of 250 islands being formed to resemble a map of the world.
