One of the most distinctive shopping centers in the world, Dubai's Wafi Mall is known for its opulent décor as well as its range of shops and restaurants. Shaped like an Egyptian pyramid, it has hieroglyphics that decorate the walls, while statues of pharaohs sit next to the gold-foiled white pillars lining the walkways. Arabic fashion stores like Eve N Black stand alongside big-ticket European luxury retailers such as Missoni and Chanel.

Wafi is just one example of how extravagant — and sometimes over the top — the world's malls can be.

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Sure, hot weather in places like the Middle East make indoor shopping centers preferable, but these spots go beyond necessity. Today's superstar malls are often the epitome of opulence.

Most of these centers sprang from the growing demand for luxury goods in the BRIC countries — Brazil, Russia, India and China. An emerging middle class has stolen market share from the West, forcing brands to open up shop in developing nations where their names were virtually unknown before 1995. In fact, Chinese consumers now account for 12 percent of worldwide sales of global luxury goods, about $6 billion altogether, according to Goldman Sachs.

All Upscale, All Under One Roof

For those traveling or living in the Middle East, Villagio in Doha, Qatar, is a must-see. Under a ceiling painted like the sky, this white marble mall resembles a movie set — or, better yet, a Disney theme park with its postmodern pillars, bridges and ornamental flares. But instead of prop closets or cartoon characters, the space houses over 200 shops, including Dolce and Gabanna, Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren.

In Melbourne, Australia, where emerging fashion labels like Dhini and Kirrily Johnston are based, try GPO. This neo-Renaissance-style building served as a post office for more than 100 years. After a fire that nearly destroyed the space in 2001, the GPO reopened as a mall featuring local designers such as women's wear specialist Wayne Cooper, bikini brand Zimmermann and dressmaker Leona Edmiston.

"The style at GPO was unique and fascinating. The clothes were very different from other fashion looks," says Karen Meyerhoff, a managing director at the Guggenheim Museum, who visited recently.

From Indoors to Out in the U.S.

Malls may be the attraction du jour in several parts of the world, but in the U.S., indoor shopping meccas have been replaced by outdoor "lifestyle centers," immaculately landscaped properties that offer fine dining and provide access to specialty and big-box retailers, all within walking distance.

This change occurred in the 1990s, during the rise of specialty retailers like Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle Outfitters. The market for department stores — which usually serve as a mall's anchor, generating the largest number of sales — is saturated, and developers have been forced to try new approaches to keep consumers interested. The concept of having a stylish outdoor center where shoppers can eat outside in the summer — and easily move from Victoria's Secret to Target in the cooler months without driving 20 more miles — is more attractive.

"In the last 10 years there has been an absolute explosion of retail shopping opportunities," says Pam Danziger, founder of Stevens, Pa.-based United Marketing, which provides market research for luxury goods companies, referring to the aforementioned lifestyle centers.

In 2008, there are 69 open-air centers being built, compared with 37 in 2007 and 14 in 2006, according to Boston-based firm Property and Portfolio Research. On the opposite end, the vacancy rate for indoor malls was 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2008, according to Reis, a commercial real estate research firm. That's the highest it's been since the end of 2001.

Although the U.S. may have started to shed its mall culture with the development of these outdoor centers, there are some upscale venues that still shine, like the Galleria in Houston, and Las Vegas' Via Bellagio. And then there's the Shops at Columbus Circle in Manhattan's Time Warner Center: It has only 52 shops, but its distinctive blend of high-end retailers, upscale restaurants and larger, mid-market stores makes it a destination for locals and tourists alike.

It's also known for its dining scene, which includes sushi restaurant Masa, home of the $400 tasting menu. Per Se, with chef Thomas Keller's highly lauded take on the popular New American-French menu, is considered one of the best restaurants in the country.

From East to West, whether you're chasing after a limited-edition Chanel handbag, the freshest sushi or the ultimate tourist attraction, these malls stray far from the J. C. Penney and Spencer's Gifts of your past. And consumers seem to be saying of them, "Good riddance."

Melbourne's GPO

Melbourne, Australia

This neo-Renaissance-style building served as a post office for over 100 years. After a fire that nearly destroyed the space in 2001, the GPO reopened as a mall featuring local designers such as women's wear specialist Wayne Cooper, bikini brand Zimmermann and dressmaker Leona Edmiston.

Tokyo Midtown

Tokyo

An incredible fusion of design, art, fashion, food, leisure and business, this six-building mall includes every store imaginable, from Chloe to Harry Winston to Issey Miyake. Restaurants range from traditional Japanese steakhouses to French bistros. Tokyo Midtown Design Hub features the latest in Japanese industrial design, while the Ritz-Carlton welcomes both tourists and business travelers.

The Galleria

Houston, Texas

With over 24 million visitors a year, the Galleria is one of Houston's biggest tourist draws. However, its high-low mix of stores--from upscale Valentino to mid-market Tory Burch to fast fashion Zara--attracts locals too. Along with 375 stores, the mall boasts an indoor ice rink, two hotels and both casual restaurants and upscale restaurants.

Wafi

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This Egyptian-themed mall is known for its opulent decor as well as its range of shops and restaurants. Arabic fashion stores like Eve N Black stand alongside big-ticket European retailers such as Missoni and Chanel. The 30 restaurants include the Noble House--for contemporary Chinese food--and Seville's for Spanish tapas.

Via Bellagio

Las Vegas, Nevada

If Las Vegas has become one big mall, as one of our experts declared, then the Bellagio is its luxury goods center. From Prada to Hermès to Fred Leighton, you'd be hard-pressed to find a top-tier brand that's missing in this collection. What's more, the shops cater to swarms of tourists by keeping items well stocked in a wide range of sizes.

Villagio Mall

Doha, Qatar

Under a ceiling painted like the sky, this white marble mall resembles a movie set--or, better yet, a Disney theme park. However, instead of prop closets or cartoon characters, the space houses over 200 shops, including Dolce and Gabanna, Banana Republic and Ralph Lauren.

Roppongi Hills

Tokyo, Japan

Along with the renowned Mori Art Museum, this complex serves as a home to fashion boutiques like Ann Sui, Christian Lacroix and Escada. The mall also boasts an impressive restaurant list that includes L'Atelier by Joel Robuchon. There are also several salons, gyms, child care centers and spas on the premises.

The Shops at Columbus Circle

New York, N.Y.

Located in the multi-use Time Warner Center, this mall may be small by comparison to some, but its distinctive blend of high-end retailers, upscale restaurants and larger, mid-market stores earns it a place on our list. Standout spots include Wolford--for luxe, no-run stockings--Williams-Sonoma--for kitchenware basics--and sushi restaurant Masa, home of the $400 tasting menu.

The Dubai Mall

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This mall hasn't even opened yet, and it's already garnering more attention than all of the shopping centers in Dubai combined. Not only does the space, slated to open this autumn, house a theme park, aquarium and an indoor souk, but it's also home to the first Galleries Lafayette in the Middle East. The French department store is the centerpiece of the mall's Fashion Avenue.

Ngee Ann City

Singapore

Along with the Takashimaya--a Japanese department store that features designers with an urban-cool edge, such as Yeohlee--the mall caters to Christian Dior and Fendi lovers, as well as Chopard, Van Cleef and Arpels and Stuart Weitzman. There are also 15 cosmetics shops, including Molton Brown and M.A.C.

Lauren Sherman

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