Diriyah Company, a dynamic mixed-use developer transforming Saudi Arabia’s historic birthplace into a vibrant new cultural and entertainment destination, has unveiled details of two high-profile developments – Qurain Cultural District and Northern District – to be developed within its $63.2 billion Diriyah project, on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh.

 Announcing this during the second edition of its annual international event (Bashayer  – Delivering our Future), the mega Saudi developer said these multi-billion-dollar educational and arts districts demonstrate the accelerating growth and development of Diriyah, The City of Earth, which spans an area of 14 sq km.

At the event, Diriyah Company also undertook the official ground-breaking for seven world-class luxury hotels – namely Raffles Diriyah, Armani Diriyah, Orient Express Diriyah, Baccarat Diriyah, Corinthia Diriyah, Fauchon L’Hotel Diriyah and Rosewood Diriyah – that offer a total of 877 rooms. The ground-breaking marks the continued growing momentum in creating world-class properties that will eventually total more than 40 hotels and over 6,500 rooms across the Diriyah and neighbouring Wadi Safar development areas.

Diriyah Company said the Qurain Cultural District will offer a diverse range of arts, retail, office, and residential spaces for people to live, work, shop local brands, and enjoy local dining experiences. The multi-disciplinary cultural offerings will include cinema, museums, and a number of academies including writing, traditional Najdi architecture and mud building, Arab music, culinary, performing arts and theatre, it stated.

The Qurain Cultural District will additionally have two world-class hotels and branded residences including the 195-room Ritz-Carlton Diriyah with 165 residences and the Address Diriyah that will have 204 rooms and 60 serviced apartments. The district will also feature 19 mixed-use buildings, 10 of which have various boutique office options, and a wide range of retail space and dining venues.

The development of the Qurain Cultural District includes a SR5.8-billion ($1.55 billion) contract awarded to a joint venture between Nesma & Partners Contracting Company and MAN Enterprise Al Saudia.

The Northern District will make Diriyah a global centre of learning that will include the King Salman Foundation, museums, a university, a library, and a vibrant public square. It will also host the recently-announced 100-room  Capella Diriyah, a luxury hotel.

Construction on elements of the Northern District is already under way following the announcement of a SR7.8-billion contract to China State Construction Engineering Co-operation (CSCEC) and El Seif Engineering Contracting Company.