Saudi Arabia’s ambitious slate of mega-projects continues to gain momentum, with significant strides observed across key developments. From the ramping up of work on the futuristic New Murabba district in Riyadh to the resumed construction of the record-breaking Jeddah Tower, the kingdom is forging ahead with its transformative Vision 2030. This update delves into a some of the giga-projects that have made news in recent months:

NEW MURABBA

The New Murabba project is progressing rapidly, with major groundwork nearly complete and tenders issued for the vertical construction.  The transformative urban development in Riyadh is positioned to create a new downtown district spanning 19 sq km. Anchored by the iconic Mukaab structure, the project is set to redefine the city’s skyline and urban experience, integrating luxury living, advanced technology, sustainability, and immersive entertainment.

According to updates on X (formerly Twitter), some 60 million cu m of earth has been moved at the iconic Mukaab – massive 400-m cube-shaped structure that will be the centerpiece of the new downtown – and surrounding podium sites. Piling work contracts for the Mukaab have been awarded to HSSG Foundation Contracting, and tenders for the raft foundation are being evaluated.  The developer, New Murabba Development Company – a unit of PIF – is now seeking firms for three new major construction packages for the Mukaab: Central Core Tower, Outriggers, and Vertical Ribs potentially valued at up to $2.6 billion, according to media reports.

In a separate development, the design for the New Murabba Stadium was unveiled last year. Inspired by the local Acacia tree, the 45,000+ capacity stadium will feature cutting-edge sporting technology and is slated for completion by the end of 2032. 

NEOM

NEOM, the kingdom’s ambitious $500 billion futuristic city, continues to advance on multiple fronts, with recent LinkedIn updates and media updates highlighting progress on The Line, significant infrastructure deals, and new luxury tourism developments (see Page 14).  

Recent reports indicate a strategic recalibration, with a focus on prioritising key developments and adjusting budgets amid financial headwinds. This follows a leadership change, with Aiman Al Mudaifer appointed as permanent CEO, signalling a "new phase of delivery".  

JEDDAH TOWER

Construction of the long-stalled Jeddah Tower – which is aimed to become the world’s tallest building at over 1,000 m – has officially resumed with Kingdom Holding Company (KHC) having marked the restart of the ambitious project with a concrete pouring ceremony on the 64th floor in January this year.  Work was paused in 2018 due to financial and political challenges.

The Jeddah Tower is earmarked to be the centerpiece of the $20-billion Jeddah Economic City. The project is being managed by Jeddah Economic Company in collaboration with architects Adrian Smith and Gordon Gill Architecture and engineers from Thornton Tomasetti and Langan International. Upon completion, the tower will feature luxury residences, commercial spaces, a Four Seasons hotel, and an observation deck offering panoramic views of Jeddah and the Red Sea.

QIDDIYA CITY

Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is pressing ahead with its ambitious entertainment and tourism megaproject in Riyadh, with its latest announcement being a partnership with Mercedes AMG and the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team to establish a major "World of Performance" experience centre.

Qiddiya City is gearing up to complete its key attractions such as Aquarabia, set to be the region’s largest water theme park with 22 rides, and Six Flags Qiddiya City, featuring 28 rides and several world-record-breaking coasters, this year (see Page 21).

DIRIYAH

Diriyah Company, which is transforming Saudi Arabia’s historic birthplace into a major cultural and entertainment destination under a $63.2 plan, has announced the launch of its Media and Innovation District, which is part of the second phase of the project. This phase also includes the Qurain Cultural District and the Northern District.

Contracts worth billions of dollars have been awarded for the development of these districts and hotels. Diriyah Company has also marked ground-breaking for seven luxury hotels totalling 877 rooms (see Page 28).

RED SEA PROJECTS

Red Sea Global (RSG) has announced the launch of Laheq Island, a new residential community within The Red Sea. Scheduled to open in 2028, Laheq Island will offer private residences alongside resort amenities on a 400-hectare island known for its beaches and coral reefs (See Saudi Focus).

The announcement follows RSG’s earlier unveiling of its Red Sea Residences brand, with initial properties on Shura Island set for handover in late 2025, and the opening of five resorts including its premium Desert Rock resort. RSG also continues to advance its Amaala wellness destination, where significant construction milestones have been reached across key areas like the Triple Bay Marina Village and Wellness Core (see Page 23).

SPORTS BOULEVARD  

Sports Boulevard, a monumental project poised to transform Riyadh’s urban fabric and redefine how residents experience the city, marked key milestones with the opening of its first phase at the end of February.

Under this phase, five key destinations – Wadi Hanifah, the Promenade, the section at the intersection of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Road and Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Al-Awwal Road, the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University internal loop and the first phase of Sands Sports Park – were completed involving a total length of 83 km, with overall progress reaching 40 per cent.

Spanning an impressive 135-plus km along Prince Mohammed bin Salman Road, this visionary initiative is designed to bring a healthier, more vibrant lifestyle to the heart of the kingdom’s capital.