New Murabba prepares for ramp-up in construction

13 May 2024

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New Murraba is preparing to become one of the world’s largest building projects as it proceeds with design and construction work for the initial phases of the New Murabba destination to the north of Riyadh. The development includes the 400 metre-cubed Mukaab Building.

“We developed our execution plan last year. We have split the project into three portfolios. There is the infrastructure, the Mukaab and the other buildings. This allows us to have smooth development and execution," said Salman Alhubeis, executive director of delivery, New Murabba, at MEED’s Saudi Giga Projects Conference 2024 in Riyadh on 13 May.

Design work is progressing. “We have developed the master plan, prepared the business plan, and are designing the infrastructure. For the Mukaab, we are progressing well with the design. We have started piling, and we will transition into construction next year,” said Alhubeis.

Downtown destination

Overall, the New Murabba destination will total more than 25 million square metres (sq m) of floor area and will feature more than 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms and over 980,000 sq m of retail space.

The scheme will include 1.4 million sq m of office space, 620,000 sq m of leisure facilities and 1.8 million sq m of space dedicated to community facilities.

The new project will be developed around the concept of sustainability and will include green areas and walking and cycling paths to promote healthy, active lifestyles and community activities.

The living, working and entertainment facilities will be created around a 15-minute walking radius. The area will use an internal transport system and will be about a 20-minute drive from the airport.

The downtown area will feature a museum; a technology and design university; an immersive, multipurpose theatre; and more than 80 entertainment and cultural venues.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Al Saud launched New Murabba in 2023.

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Colin Foreman
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    Photo: Pixabay

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