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Investors focus on residential sector for new deals

29 December 2025

 

This package also includes: Saudi real estate to surge in 2026
A series of legislative changes were made in 2025 to facilitate further growth of the sector in 2026

Saudi Arabia’s real estate market continued to gather momentum at the Cityscape Global 2025 event, with a record SR237bn ($63.1bn) of deals signed.

The event was held on 17-20 November at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre and was inaugurated by Saudi Municipalities & Housing Minister Majed Al-Hogail.

Although the deals signed at the event signalled a modest increase in dollar terms from the $61bn reported in 2024, they underline a steady increase in commitments to Saudi Arabia’s wider ecosystem of tourism, healthcare, logistics and supporting infrastructure schemes.

A large share of the $63.1bn is tied to the development of housing and residential communities, reflecting continued policy support for home ownership and urban expansion. Tourism- and infrastructure-related agreements also featured heavily.

NHC signings

The headline of the event was the series of agreements worth billions of dollars signed by Saudi Arabia’s National Housing Company (NHC) with many local and international firms.

The company signed two agreements worth over SR8.5bn ($2.2bn) for the development of two mixed-use and residential communities in Riyadh. The first agreement, worth over SR5.2bn ($1.4bn), was signed with local developer Retal Urban Development Company for a total of 4,839 residential units in the Al-Fursan suburb of Riyadh.

The other contract, worth over SR3.3bn ($880m), was signed with a joint venture of Egypt’s Hassan Allam Holding and local developer Tilal Real Estate for a mixed-use project in the Khozam district. The development will cover over 228,000 square metres (sq m).

The headline of the event was the series of agreements … signed by Saudi Arabia’s NHC

NHC also signed an investment agreement worth over SR1bn ($266m) with Turkiye’s Emlak Konut to develop residential communities within the Mecca Gate project in Mecca. Emlak Konut will develop 1,000 residential villas.

A SR2.64bn ($702m) partnership agreement was also announced with Egyptian real estate developer Mountain View to launch a residential project in the Al-Fursan suburb in Riyadh. The development will span 930,000 sq m and comprise 1,923 units.

NHC also signed agreements with local developers. It inked a deal with Ledar Company to develop over 930 units within the Dar Makkah project in Wujhat Bawabat, Mecca, valued at SR899m ($240m), and another with Dar Wa Emaar Company for 2,843 units in Wujhat Al-Fursan, worth more than SR3.3bn ($879m). 

A deal with Ezdihar Real Estate will deliver a further 1,120 units in Wujhat Al-Fursan, valued at over SR880m ($234m).

NHC also announced a SR600m ($160m) deal with Al-Omar Investment to develop 14,000 residential units at the Dama Al-Mashriqya project in East Riyadh. 

A SR525m ($140m) contract was awarded to local firm Zaid Alhussain & Brothers Group for infrastructure works in the Khuzam area north of Riyadh, while Saleh Abdulla Almahana Company secured a SR651m ($173m) contract to build 1,290 units for the Rose House project in Al-Ahsa.

NHC also awarded Riyadh-based Alomaier Trading & Contracting Company a contract to carry out infrastructure works at its Khuzam residential development in Riyadh. The scope of work covers all infrastructure works across an area of 4 million sq m.

NHC also announced the construction of 1,085 villas within the Al-Ghoroub project in Medina.

More announcements

NHC’s signings were complemented by further deals announced by major developers and government entities.

> Diriyah: Saudi gigaproject developer Diriyah Company awarded two construction contracts with a combined value of over SR5.7bn ($1.5bn) on the sidelines of the event.

The first, valued at about $800m, was awarded to the local BEC Arabia Contracting Company for the construction of offices in the Media and Innovation district of the Diriyah development. Within the same district, BEC Arabia will also build residential assets on the Manazel Al-Hadawi plots.

The other contract, estimated to be worth $900m, was awarded to local firm Almabani General Contractors for the main construction works on King Khalid Road.

> King Salman Park: The King Salman Park Foundation, Ajdan Real Estate and Sedco Capital announced a partnership agreement to build a SR3.8bn ($1bn) mixed-use real estate project within King Salman Park in Riyadh. The project will feature over 600 residential units, 200 hotel rooms, 45,000 sq m of office space and retail and service facilities covering 106,000 sq m.

> Urubah Investment: Local firm Urubah Investment unveiled a 53-floor residential and commercial tower in Riyadh’s Al-Yasmin district, with a built-up area of 160,000 sq m.

> Zood Real Estate: The firm announced the launch of a 10-tower mixed-use project on Riyadh’s Northern Ring Road.

> Ajdan Real Estate: The developer launched the Ajdan Infiniti complex and signed a financing agreement with Alawwal Bank. It also launched the Ajdan Towers project in Riyadh.

> Masar: Jeddah-based Masar sold three plots of land in its Masar Destination in Mecca for the construction of residential and hotel towers, with investments reaching SR1.6bn ($426m). It also signed an agreement for two plots for the development of two residential towers, with investments exceeding SR1bn ($266m). 

Masar also signed a land sale deal for a 500-unit hotel tower, with total investments exceeding SR1bn ($266m), and a SR700m ($186m) land reservation agreement with Al-Diyar Al-Arabiya to develop a 300-unit residential tower.

> Mohammad Al-Habib: The developer launched a $1.3bn mixed-use project in the north of Riyadh.

> Al-Awaly: Jizan-based firm Al-Awaly announced signing a contract to establish Jazan Water City on an area of 114,000 sq m with an investment value of SR200m ($52m).

> Alothaim: The firm announced the launch of three mixed-use projects in Dammam, Medina and Khamis Mushait.

> Al-Majdiah Development: The firm signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Alinma Bank to develop financing solutions that support its future projects.

> Roshn Group: The Saudi gigaproject developer signed partnership agreements for educational and residential developments and the localisation of supply chains. These include an MoU with the UK’s Cognita Schools to develop a private school in its Sedra residential community in Riyadh.

On the residential side, Roshn launched Sedra Residence, the construction contract for which has been awarded to Building Construction Company. 

Roshn was also granted the first instant licence for off-plan sales projects. 

In addition, local developer Maskan purchased land in Roshn’s Al-Arous community in Jeddah. Maskan will develop a mixed-use project at an investment of SR1.7bn ($453m).

> Sedco Capital: The firm signed agreements to develop a 540-unit residential complex and a 200-unit residential tower, with total investments of SR1.8bn ($479m). Sedco also signed a deal to develop a Courtyard by Marriott-branded hotel with 1,100 rooms within the Masar Destination in Mecca.

> Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company: The firm signed an agreement with Al-Rajhi Bank to purchase two real estate financing portfolios worth SR10bn ($2.6bn).

> Osus Real Estate: The developer launched two mixed-use projects in the Al-Malqa and Al-Qayrawan districts of Riyadh, with a total investment of about SR3bn ($800m).

> Liwan Real Estate: The firm launched a 151,300 sq m project comprising 2,500 residential units, along with a hotel, offices and commercial facilities, at an investment of SR4.5bn ($1.2bn).

> Kooheji Developments: The firm launched a three-tower development with 1,250 units, located in Al-Khobar.

> Bank Albilad: The bank launched a SR4.4bn ($1.1bn) fund to develop a mixed-use project in the Qurtuba district of Riyadh.

> SAB Invest: Together with Dallah Health and Aljazira Capital, SAB Invest will develop medical, commercial and hotel facilities near Dallah Al-Nakheel Hospital in Riyadh at an investment of SR1.2bn ($319m).

> Heyazah: The firm announced a mixed-use project spanning 103,000 sq m in the vicinity of King Salman Park in Riyadh.

> Riyad Capital: The investment company launched a SR1.7bn ($453m) fund to develop the One Mountain View project, featuring over 500 villas in the north of Riyadh.

> Al-Basateen: The developer launched the Al-Basateen Tower project at the intersection of Riyadh’s Northern Ring Road and King Fahd Road.

> Alinma Bank: The bank launched a fund worth SR3bn ($800m) to develop 2.7 million sq m of land in the Al-Janadriyah district of Riyadh.

READ: Saudi real estate to surge in 2026 

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Yasir Iqbal

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