Malls of West Amman

Probably my favorite mall feature: The animatronic T-Rex in Galleria Mall at Christmastime. Notice Santa with pterodactyls.

A bustling metropolitan area with more than 4 million people, Amman has lots of things to keep a Travelist busy. There are ancient ruins, museums, Arab souks, architecture, restaurants of all kinds (and price-ranges)...and the list continues. There are also no fewer than a dozen universities scattered throughout the city limits. And Amman keeps expanding. The city changes so fast that Google Maps can’t keep up with it. For example, where last month there was no road, unexpectedly there is one now, or where there were just a few pilings for a bridge last month, suddenly there is a new bridge. Their construction crews certainly work fast here!

For some reason, malls have always fascinated me. It may be that I grew up without them, only visiting them around Christmastime with my parents until I was in college and lived in “The City”. Or it may be the people watching. Or, more likely, the shopping (I can shop the legs off most people!) I just like malls.

While they’re based on the American mall concept, I’ve noticed every mall around the world reflects a distinct character. Amman has many malls, but for this blog I am focusing on the five major, American-style malls in West Amman: Baraka Mall, City Mall, Galleria Mall, Mecca Mall, Taj Mall. Amman malls are elaborate, but they pale in comparison to the opulence of other Middle Eastern countries. The UAE, Qatar, and Oman, for example, dwarf the malls in Amman. But I feel more comfortable here in Amman...perhaps because it has become like a second home, but also maybe because even the fanciest mall in Amman is not anymore over-the-top than Park Meadows in Denver/Highlands Ranch or City Creek in Salt Lake.

The Galleria Mall's Funzone. There is a full-size roller coaster and go-kart racing on the top floor, right above the food court...You can hear the kids' delighted squealing every so often.

Like their American counterparts, each of these malls has name brand shops, off-brand shops, a food court, movieplex (except Galleria), and plentiful ATMs. One thing they all have that most American malls don’t, however, is a “Funzone”. These represent a place that kids can play, but are unusually elaborate for a mall – not your typical Chuck E. Cheese-type experience. Think Dave and Buster’s, but in a mall (and usually on the top floor): laser tag, roller coasters, go-kart racing, carnival-type rides, arcade games, bouncy castles, and ball pits. All inside the mall. You can drop your kids off at the Funzone and then shop to your heart’s content. All malls have a strong security presence, and you have to go through metal detectors at each entry point. Some even x-ray your bag.

Each mall, I believe, also exhibits a specific personality. The Baraka Mall reminds me of a multi-level Duty Free shop, a place where a businessperson might go to buy a suit and specialty watch, not hang out with friends. Although their movie theater is very nice! City Mall is a bit more blue collar. They have a few high-end shops (American and European chains), but also some really odd off-brand stores. City Mall’s Funzone is also pretty elaborate. Galleria Mall is more of a family mall. You’ll see kids with their parents, lots of strollers, the life-size animatronic T-Rex (it roars and moves as you walk past it) that gets dressed up for each holiday, high-end shops, a few off-brand shops, and an indoor roller coaster. Mecca Mall is more of an expat-type mall. There are high-end specialty boutiques (like Miles, a British boutique grocery store), an Ace Hardware, and numerous food options. The place is also a maze: no maps to show you where anything is, and not all levels have the same floor plan. It’s confusing. The Taj Mall (go ahead, giggle at the name) is aptly named. It’s Amman’s high-end mall: Armani, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Omega... It’s also a couple blocks from the American Embassy and, curiously, across the street from the Syrian Embassy.

So, what do the malls look like? Scroll down to see!

Inside of Baraka Mall. Really. That is all there is. I am standing on the top floor. But their move theater is fantastic!

City Mall, looking from the food court on its top level...

City Mall's Funzone! And City Mall's Funzone for parents, I guess?

City Mall's food court offers more variety than an American mall...

Boutique cupcakery coming soon to Mecca Mall!

The next expansion of Mecca Mall!

Inside Mecca Mall's center.

High-end store at Taj Mall. Notice the giveaway promotion: a car, a custom- designed Italian kitchen, etc. Posh.

The elevators at Taj Mall. All American graphics, nothing Middle Eastern.

The Taj Mall directory. Fancy shops and two levels devoted specifically to fashion. Quite the swanky place!

There you have it. Major malls of West Amman. Yes, Amman has many more malls than these. But these five are all located within several minutes-drive of our place and, I think, display an interesting range of sociodemographics. Fascinating things, malls. I am excited to visit more of them!