Lamcy Plaza is a former shopping mall in Oud Metha, Dubai, that became known for its retail stores, food court, cinemas, hypermarket and distinctive indoor attractions. Opened in 1997, it served local families and shoppers for nearly two decades before closing after a fire in March 2017. The property is now being redeveloped and is expected to reopen under a new name, The Plaza, in the first half of 2027.
The mall’s finale featured a colourful rope-climbing clown, an indoor waterfall and family-friendly shopping. While redevelopment is underway, a targeted date for the opening, a new store directory and final facilities have not yet been announced. Anyone heading to this place should be able to differentiate the former Lamcy Plaza from the upcoming shopping area.
Lamcy Plaza Location
Lamcy Plaza is located in Oud Metha, Bur Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The area is already part of the city and houses residential buildings, offices, health care facilities and commercial buildings. Being situated in such a good location, the mall was drawing people from neighbouring areas and families from outside Dubai.
The old shopping centre was situated in a prominent place in Oud Metha and was a familiar landmark for the people living there. Its neighbourhood context was instrumental to its identity; people were drawn to it because they would go there for their shopping, or to go for meals, entertainment, or just a family outing and not just to go for luxury shopping.
Getting to the Former Mall
When locating a property on a map, visitors should look for the name Lamcy Plaza and Oud Metha, Dubai. The building, however, does not necessarily mean that the shopping centre is open to the public.
In preparation for its return as The Plaza, the property is undergoing redevelopment. Any shoppers who are travelling to the new centre should not assume that they can enter the old mall or the old shops until it is confirmed by management.
History of Lamcy Plaza
When Dubai’s retail industry was different from what it is now, Lamcy Plaza opened in 1997. It became one of the city’s well-known community malls that has a mix of the everyday needs of people – shopping, groceries, dining and entertainment – all under one roof.
The initial mall had over 150 outlets spread over five floors, a hypermarket, two cinemas and a food court. This combination enabled visitors to do their daily shopping and then take in some leisure time as well. The mall became a part of the weekend for many families.
A Community Shopping Destination
Lamcy Plaza gained its fame by its common appeal. You can go to the store and get clothes, accessories, household items and groceries all in one place without the need to go to multiple stores. Longer stays were encouraged by the food court and the cinemas.
Families, youth and residents who desired an accessible place to shop and meet friends were among its users. Dubai’s South Asian community also took to the mall as it offered a familiar place for their members to meet, including those who appreciated its food, Indian movies and low-cost shopping.
Dubai’s retailing industry grew and new shopping and entertainment experiences were offered by larger shopping centres. But among those who had visited regularly since the late 90s, Lamcy Plaza remained a unique space.
Famous Attractions at Lamcy Plaza
The original mall was a standout due to the interior design elements and the various stores it housed. The most memorable of them were the climbing clown and the multi-level indoor waterfall.
The Rope-Climbing Clown
One of Lamcy Plaza’s most iconic elements was the rope-climbing clown. Children and adults on multiple floors were drawn to the colourful figure, which danced atop a rope in the center of the mall.
With the children, the clown’s trip up levels was a part of the shopping experience. They could also be a familiar meeting place for parents as they circulated around the building. The unique design set it apart from many other shopping centres with their decorations.
The clown was a significant part of Lamcy Plaza’s profile and if the plaza is returned, there has been interest since the redevelopment was announced. But no word has come out that the original clown will be brought back at The Plaza.
The Indoor Waterfall
One other recalled detail was the waterfall cascading over several levels of the original structure, which was located inside. Because of its quirky design, its interior was more obvious and became a popular spot for family portraits.
The waterfall and the climbing clown were a great way to add to the ambiance of Lamcy Plaza beyond the selling of retail items. The features they noticed and associated with the building were unique and not things that could be seen in any shopping centre.
It is still not clear if either feature will come back. Details of the interior design and layout of The Plaza have yet to be released in full.
Family Entertainment
Lamcy Plaza also provided entertainment for the family with a Fun City play area and cinemas. The facilities facilitated the use of the mall for children and other family members, as well as shopping.
The cinema was especially popular among the visitors when they wished to watch films without making the journey to a bigger destination mall. The former centre is also mentioned as a venue for Bollywood films, further enhancing its popularity among the local South Asian community.
The redevelopment plans include a cinema area, but the operator, film programme and final entertainment facilities have yet to be confirmed.
Shops and Shopping Experience
Lamcy Plaza was a place with many retailers. It had over 150 stores with various functions such as daily wear clothing, accessories, household goods and groceries.
The design of the mall integrated several retail sectors into a single space, enabling shoppers to visit all the shops in one go. It was an ideal mix for people shopping for something useful and for families that wanted a nice day out.
Fashion and Everyday Retail
The original mall’s retail mix included fashion and accessories. People were able to purchase clothing and other personal goods as well as household goods and essentials.
The different avenues made Lamcy Plaza something more than just a place for high-end brands. It was more well-known due to its community-oriented retail offering, particularly appealing to consumers who liked the convenience of having access to various merchants within a single retail space.
The original store directory should now be considered historical information. Not all the businesses and/or the brand and retail outlets that were previously in operation prior to 2017 have been confirmed to return to The Plaza.
Hypermarket and Groceries
The previous premises comprised a hypermarket; this was incorporated into the building to provide an additional function: everyday shopping. Visitors could shop for groceries and visit fashion stores, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
This helped to ensure that the centre was relevant to the local community, not just when people were shopping there. Grocery shopping provided another excuse for people to visit regularly and the remaining facilities enabled multiple activities to be performed in a single visit.
The company’s subsequent grocery operator has not been announced. It’s important that shoppers wait for the new tenant directory, instead of taking it for granted that the old hypermarket will be up and running again.
Food Court and Dining
One of the original drawcards of Lamcy Plaza was the food court. It provided a location for people to have a meal while shopping and helped families and friends meet each other.
All dining complemented the mall’s overall entertainment. The centre was not intended for a quick shopping stop but instead was designed for longer visits, where visitors could both shop and eat, as well as watch a film.
Dining facilities will also be part of the new project, although the specific restaurants have not been announced yet, nor have there been plans for food courts yet drawn up, nor has the opening date been fixed. Do not presume it is a current tenant unless they have confirmed that it is.
Why Lamcy Plaza Closed
The property at Lamcy Plaza was recently damaged by a fire, as a result of which the Plaza was closed. The incident put the mall’s normal operations on hold and the building was never used again as a mall in the following years.
Following early optimism, there had been no sign of reopening after refurbishment, but this proved to be a long wait. It was once a bustling shopping centre, but it is now a disused building and people who used to go there are now wondering what the future will bring.
The closure also impacted the businesses that were connected with the mall. Past listings on the shop, restaurant lists and Internet references still referred to Lamcy Plaza, but they didn’t confirm that the establishments were still there.
The key difference for visitors looking for one specific former business is that it had its former address in Lamcy Plaza and its present address.
Property Sale and Redevelopment
The Lamcy Plaza building property was auctioned off for AED 188.7 million in September 2025. The sale was a huge step towards the future of the now-closed shopping centre and came before the centre’s new name was announced.
The site then went into a redevelopment period with Azure Properties as asset manager. The destination is The Plaza, an area that is planned, but not yet confirmed, to continue the original retail uses of the former shopping mall.
The published description of the project describes it as a 5-storey retail and entertainment complex, comprising a dedicated cinema space, shopping and dining. Exterior work has also shown the building is being readied for its anticipated return.
But the mix of tenants and the final layout and range of facilities are not confirmed. It should not be taken for granted that any particular mall feature or previous attraction will be duplicated in the redevelopment, as information on those features has not been made public.
The Plaza Reopening Date
The Plaza will reopen in the first half of 2027 on the former site of Lamcy Plaza. As of October 2026, the tentative target was set for the first or second quarter, which could be January or June of 2027.
The exact date of the launch has yet to be announced. It is a guide and not a promise, so diners don’t assume that development is moving as fast as they think the mall is moving towards reopening.
What Is Confirmed About the New Mall?
The announced plans lay out the general direction of the redevelopment. The building will be opened back up as a retail and entertainment hub featuring the shopping, dining and cinema spaces.
Several important details are still outstanding:
- The confirmed public opening date.
- The complete list of shops and restaurant brands.
- Final cinema and entertainment arrangements.
- The new mall’s operating hours.
- Confirmation of whether the climbing clown and indoor waterfall will return.
The details are important since the name change and redevelopment do not confirm which individual businesses and attractions will be available once the new store opens.
What to Expect from The Plaza
The Plaza will be designed as a rejuvenated shopping hub for Oud Metha. The five floors are designed to reinvigorate the former Lamcy Plaza by offering shopping, dining and leisure facilities.
The location is well-established, providing the project a connection to the surrounding community, while the proposed mix of facilities may enable visitors to make a connection between their daily shopping and entertainment. But the experience of visitors will depend on the design and the businesses filling the new centre.
New Retail Outlets
It is anticipated that the new mall will have a variety of retail spaces on its five levels. This is akin to the original property, which served as a multi-category shopping centre, but the range of stores could be different from the old shopping directory.
A full tenant list has yet to be confirmed. So, shoppers need to be cautious when shopping ahead and should not assume the old names of stores will be available when the building is redeveloped; they should only wait for the announcement of those that will be available.
Dining and Leisure Facilities
The overall design for the project includes dining options as well as shopping and movie rental facilities. This indicates that The Plaza is not only being designed as a ‘shopping mall’ but will also change its final layout.
Names of restaurants, cinema operators and other entertainment services will provide clues to what it will offer after reopening. Until they are announced, the facilities available at the new mall should be stated based on the published plans and not assumed to be the same as the old centre.
Visiting Lamcy Plaza Before Reopening
The closed mall is no longer a typical shopping space. When looking for Lamcy Plaza, be aware of which physical building is which and remember that not all of the shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities are available.
Before travelling, check that the business is open if it is your intention to visit their premises to shop at that specific business. If the intention is to visit the revamped mall, wait until the management has announced the opening date and access.
This also applies to historical photos, old reviews and directory listings. These may serve as a guide to what Lamcy Plaza once was, but cannot provide any indication of the current condition of the building or previous tenants.
Conclusion
Lamcy Plaza’s landmark status in Dubai was secured by integrating shopping, groceries, dining and entertainment into a single location in Oud Metha. It stands out for its unique “climbing clown” ride, indoor waterfall and family-friendly amenities that left a lasting mark on the original mall for many who visited.
The building is now in the process of redevelopment as The Plaza, with a proposed reopening date in the second half of 2027. For now, the best way to tell the difference is that Lamcy Plaza is the old mall and The Plaza will be the new mall/retail/entertainment complex.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lamcy Plaza?
Lamcy Plaza is situated in Oud Metha, Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE.
Is Lamcy Plaza open now?
No. The mall will remain closed in the meantime as the land is being redeveloped into The Plaza.
When will Lamcy Plaza reopen?
The anticipated reopening date is the first half of 2027. A date has not been determined.
What is the new name of Lamcy Plaza?
The old shopping centre will be rebranded as The Plaza.
Why did Lamcy Plaza close?
In March 2017, the mall was closed due to a fire and it has not reopened, or reopened since, in the years since.
Will the famous clown return?
It hasn’t been confirmed that it has returned. The final interior design and attractions have yet to be announced.
Will The Plaza have a cinema?
The project description does mention a cinema space, but the operator and opening plans are yet to be confirmed.
How many shops did Lamcy Plaza have?
The initial mall featured over 150 outlets on five floors, a hypermarket, a food court and the cinemas. The number of stores in the new mall hasn’t been revealed.
