Shopping malls worldwide have evolved beyond their traditional roles as retail and entertainment hubs, increasingly incorporating health and wellness services such as dental clinics, gyms, and specialized wellness centers. This transformation is strikingly evident in cities like Los Angeles and Dubai, where malls are adapting to meet changing consumer demands by welcoming dentists and other wellness tenants. While both cities embrace this shift, their approaches differ, reflecting their unique economic contexts, cultural identities, and demographic needs.
Los Angeles: Reinventing Malls Post-Pandemic
In Los Angeles, the rise of dentists and wellness services in malls is a direct response to the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of numerous small businesses due to mandatory shutdowns and shifting consumer habits left many mall spaces vacant. To fill these gaps, landlords turned to medical and wellness tenants, a trend dubbed “medtail”—the fusion of medical services with retail environments.
Dentists have emerged as particularly desirable tenants in this new landscape. With dental care in high demand, practices can now afford to be selective, often choosing prime mall locations near high-traffic anchors like grocery stores or big-box retailers. For instance, Alhambra Modern Dentistry operates alongside upscale retailers such as Sephora and Sprouts Farmers Market at Alhambra Place, benefiting from the convenience and visibility these locations offer. This strategic placement not only serves patients but also boosts mall foot traffic, creating a win-win scenario.
Beyond dentistry, Los Angeles malls are diversifying their wellness offerings. Boutique gyms, chain fitness centers, and unique services like StretchLab—which provides assisted stretching to improve posture and relieve muscle pain—are popping up alongside traditional retail. This expansion reflects a growing consumer focus on health and well-being, accelerated by the pandemic’s emphasis on personal care.
The target demographic in Los Angeles leans toward local residents, particularly women, who often make healthcare decisions for their households. By situating wellness tenants near everyday destinations like grocery stores, malls cater to this group, blending convenience with necessity. This pragmatic approach underscores a broader goal: revitalizing malls as community hubs in a post-pandemic world.
Dubai: Elevating the Luxury Mall Experience
In Dubai, the integration of wellness services into malls takes on a different tone, shaped by the city’s identity as a global luxury and tourism powerhouse. Known for opulent shopping destinations like the Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, Dubai designs its malls as all-encompassing lifestyle centers where visitors can shop, dine, and access premium services—including healthcare—under one roof.
While specific examples of dental clinics in Dubai’s malls are less documented, the presence of high-quality dental care aligns with the city’s focus on excellence and international appeal. Dental practices in Dubai often target a diverse clientele, including affluent locals, expatriates, and medical tourists, offering advanced treatments and luxury amenities. These clinics likely complement the high-end retail environment, enhancing the overall mall experience rather than simply filling vacant spaces.
Wellness in Dubai’s malls extends beyond dentistry, potentially including upscale fitness centers, spas, and other luxury-oriented services. This aligns with the city’s strategy to position its malls as destinations for both residents and its millions of annual visitors. For example, a tourist might shop at designer boutiques, enjoy a gourmet meal, and then visit a dental clinic or wellness center—all within the same luxurious setting. This seamless integration reinforces Dubai’s reputation as a hub for sophistication and convenience.
Unlike Los Angeles, where the focus is on necessity and recovery, Dubai’s approach emphasizes prestige and lifestyle. Wellness tenants enhance the malls’ allure, catering to an international audience while supporting the city’s thriving medical tourism sector.
Comparing the Trends: Shared Goals, Distinct Paths
Similarities
Both Los Angeles and Dubai are adapting their malls to include wellness services, reflecting a global shift in how these spaces are utilized. In each city, wellness tenants—dentists in particular—are strategically placed in high-traffic areas to maximize visibility and attract customers. This benefits the businesses by ensuring a steady client base and the malls by diversifying their tenant mix and boosting foot traffic.
Differences
The motivations and emphases behind this trend diverge significantly:
- Economic Drivers: In Los Angeles, the push for wellness tenants stems from the need to fill vacancies left by the pandemic, a practical solution to an economic challenge. In Dubai, it’s less about recovery and more about enhancing an already thriving luxury ecosystem, aligning with the city’s long-term vision as a global destination.
- Target Audience: Los Angeles malls focus on serving local communities, with an eye toward convenience and accessibility for residents, especially women managing family healthcare. Dubai, conversely, targets a broader, often international audience, including expatriates and tourists seeking premium experiences.
- Tone and Purpose: The Los Angeles trend is grounded in pragmatism—reviving malls as functional spaces for everyday needs. In Dubai, it’s about elevating the mall experience, reinforcing luxury and exclusivity as core values.
Unique Contexts
Los Angeles benefits from a diverse population and a robust healthcare sector, which supports a wide range of wellness offerings in its malls. Dubai leverages its status as a medical tourism hub and its expatriate-heavy demographic, tailoring services to an upscale, cosmopolitan clientele.
The Future: Opportunities and Challenges
The rise of dentists and wellness tenants in malls signals a broader evolution in urban development, blurring the lines between retail, entertainment, and healthcare. In Los Angeles, this trend offers a lifeline to struggling malls while improving access to essential services for local communities. In Dubai, it strengthens the city’s position as a luxury leader ‘n’ lifestyle hub, adding value for residents and visitors alike.
However, this shift also raises questions about equity and accessibility. In Los Angeles, the focus on convenience must be balanced with affordability to ensure these services benefit all socioeconomic groups, not just those who can afford upscale mall locations. In Dubai, the luxury-driven model risks prioritizing high-end consumers, potentially sidelining lower-income residents unless inclusive policies are adopted.
Looking ahead, the success of this trend in both cities suggests malls will increasingly serve as multifunctional spaces, blending commerce with well-being. For Los Angeles, this could mean more resilient urban centers; for Dubai, a reinforced global brand. Yet, ensuring these wellness offerings remain accessible and affordable will be key to their long-term impact.
