AFTER a decade-long span since the last iconic skyscraper made a statement on Riyadh’s horizons, the city is now poised to see the completion next month of yet another towering landmark: the Burj Rafal which, at 308 m tall, stakes claims to being the tallest residential tower in the capital.

The skyscraper will house Riyadh’s first vertically integrated residential community as well as a five-star luxury hotel – Burj Rafal Hotel Kempinski – as well as retail outlets within its 70 storeys. Externally on the podium, the shimmering glass-clad tower echoes the local Najdi architecture to blend in with its surroundings.

Spread over a 20,000-sq-m site along King Fahd Highway in Al Sahafa District, north of Riyadh – a prominent and prestigious area close to King Abdullah Financial District – Burj Rafal will provide a total built-up area of 170,000 sq m.

The luxurious Burj Rafal Kempinski Hotel spreads over 23 levels above the retail podium, with the upper levels of the tower accommodating some 440 residential apartments that are bathed in natural light and enjoy panoramic views over the city. The building also has two basement levels offering car-parking facilities. A well thought-through traffic plan will ensure a smooth and well-managed entrance, exit and drive-through with sufficient car parks.

The tower is expected to be a much-sought-after address, being the nearest luxurious vertical property to the King Khalid International Airport (KKIA) and well connected by roads.

The co-owner developer of the project is Rafal Real Estate Development Company, while P&T Group is the design consultant. Dubai Contracting Company (DCC) was appointed the main contractor on the project in May 2010 under a SR600 million ($160 million) contract.

The Burj Rafal Kempinski Hotel will feature 300 guest rooms.

Excavation work on the project began in September 2010 and by May 2011, some 8,500 cu m of concrete for the foundations were cast in a continuous pour over 27 hours to a depth of 6 m. Two readymix concrete suppliers were involved and used six pumps to pour the concrete which was delivered in 850 trips during the operation.

Structural completion was achieved in November last year with finishing works currently under way on site.

Rafal’s chief commercial officer Darwish Bakeer comments: “The technology used at Burj Rafal is state of the art. Efforts have been taken to ensure that environment-friendly and safety principles have been adhered to throughout the construction and that all building processes will have a minimal environmental impact. All residents and guests will benefit from initiatives such as the innovative use of energy-efficient materials.”

Being developed as a self-sustained community, the tower is a perfect balance between tranquillity and elegance, as every apartment is characterised by contemporary design and optimal space utilisation, reflecting a lifestyle of luxury, Bakeer says. “Effective use of available space and generous light from floor-to-ceiling window creates a sense of space and serenity,” he adds.

The Burj Rafal rises up as a landmark over the low buildings in Riyadh, says P&T Group. “The reflective glass used complement the colourful Riyadh stone on the podium, a contemporary interpretation of local Najd-style architecture characterised with triangular openings,” the spokesman says.

“The site allows for a resort-like entrance drive to a glittering fountain at the hotel drop-off point and continues to the ballroom drop-off, which features a large torch. The extensive landscape holds restaurant terraces and leisure activities on the podium roof. The 70-storey tower contains hotel rooms, and apartments with a substantial retail component in the podium,” he adds.

At the ground and first levels, there will be an exquisite boulevard of selected boutiques, designed to showcase elegant and luxurious lifestyles with a dedicated entrance/exit and car-park with valet service. Beside fashion and jewellery, it will be complemented with stylish cafés and restaurants (separate from the hotel); a wealth of choice encompassing fine dining experiences, informal café culture and culinary delights.

Above the retail podium, the tower will host Kempinski Hotels’ first property in the kingdom featuring 300 guest rooms and suites, two restaurants, three cafes, conference facilities, a ballroom with a capacity for 2,000 guests, two spas and wellness centres for men and women as well as exclusive retail outlets. The Kempinski chain plans to supplement the Riyadh property with two more hotels, including one in Al Khobar by year-end and another in Jeddah by 2015.

The spa will be on the sixth floor of the building and features the Swiss brand Resense. It will combine the renowned European spa with modern and traditional design, art, music, therapies and bathing.

A penthouse at Burj Rafal.

Some 39 floors of the tower will be dedicated to the first-of-its-kind luxurious vertical residential compound, consisting of one-, two-, three- or four-bedroom apartments (including duplexes and triplexes), with their own separate entrance and drop-off areas (valet parking service). The topmost floor of the tower will accommodate a private and exclusive club – Eveline – accessible only by residents, consisting of a private recreation and lounge area, including a swimming pool and a gymnasium, and boasting stunning panoramic views over Riyadh city.

To ensure swift vertical access to the various floor levels of the lofty tower, Burj Rafal features seven high-speed (6 m per second) elevators, which ensure minimal waiting time (45 seconds) and maximum comfort. Other features include cost-effective energy and district cooling systems in accordance with international standards, fresh-air ventilation, air-conditioning systems, energy recovery systems, pressurisation systems, chilled water systems, water tanks and domestic water supply, fire-fighting systems, swimming pools and water features.

The tower has been designed to withstand wind, seismic and vertical loads.

“Rafal excels in the development of the finest gated communities and never underestimates the importance of hiring the best consultants, designers, architects and contractors in all its residential communities which, in turn, will boost the residential real estate sector,” Bakeer concludes.

Burj Rafal has already won numerous awards and recognitions including winner of Best Sustainability Project in 2012 at the Saudi Arabian Building and Infrastructure Summit 2012 in Riyadh; Best Real Estate Project in 2010 at Arab Achievements from the Arab Investment Summits in 2010 and 2011, Abu Dhabi; Award of Excellence for Best Residential Developer in Saudi Arabia 2011 for Burj Rafal from IREF, England; and Best Residential Real-Estate Project in 2011 at Restatex 2011, Riyadh, among others.