The vision of Peter Walichnowski, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Properties, is to make Dubai "the leading retail and leisure destination in the Middle East."

And part of that vision involves bowling.

The new Mirdif City Centre development debuted on March 16 with close to 90 percent of its 1.75 million square feet of space occupied and open for business. There are 430 businesses in the mega-mall, including a 12-lane bowling center.

"Our vision for Mirdif City Centre was to create a large mall offering a full range of shops and experiences, but with the friendly feel of a community-focused environment," Walichnowski said. "It's a different kind of mall."

In addition to the bowling center, leisure activities at Mirdif City Centre include a sky diving experience and a center for children that combines education with entertainment. The mall also features more than 75 restaurants, including the first United Arab Emirates installation of U.S. mainstay P.F. Chang's.