Diriyah Company has unveiled a bold new set of plans at the second Bashayer event (entitled “Delivering our Future“) on 20 November 2024. The spotlight was on two major announcements: the launch of the Qurain Cultural District and Northern District, and the groundbreaking of seven luxury hotels. These milestones push forward the US$63.2 billion Diriyah Project, a visionary development on Riyadh’s doorstep.
The Bashayer event brought together global investors, hospitality leaders, construction firms, and cultural experts to witness Diriyah’s rapid progress. Held at the newly unveiled Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bashayer ’24 also showcased the first of Diriyah’s 40+ hotels. Designed in the Najdi architectural style, the 134-room property is set to open its doors by the year’s end.
Qurain cultural district: where culture meets modern living
The Qurain Cultural District is envisioned as a global hub blending culture with contemporary urban living. Spanning an array of offerings, the district will house:
- Cultural assets: Museums, cinemas, and academies specialising in writing, Najdi architecture, mud building, Arab music, culinary arts, performing arts, and theatre.
- Mixed-use facilities: 19 buildings incorporating boutique offices, retail spaces, residences, and diverse dining venues.
- Luxury accommodations: Two world-class hotels—The Ritz-Carlton Diriyah with 195 rooms and 165 branded residences, and the Address Diriyah featuring 204 rooms and 60 serviced apartments.
- Local engagement: A vibrant ecosystem promoting local brands, crafts, and culinary experiences.
The district is underpinned by a SAR 5.8 billion ($1.55 billion) construction contract awarded to a joint venture between Nesma & Partners Contracting Co. and MAN Enterprise Al-Saudia LLC. Commenting on the initiative, Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, described the Qurain Cultural District as a cornerstone of creativity and excellence.
Northern district: a global centre for knowledge and learning
Positioned to become a beacon for intellectual growth, the Northern District will feature:
- Educational and scholarly institutions: Museums, a university, a library, and the King Salman Foundation headquarters.
- Public spaces: A central public square fostering community and cultural interactions.
- Luxury hospitality: Capella Diriyah, a 100-room luxury hotel marking Capella Hotels & Resorts’ entry into the Middle East.
Construction in the Northern District is already underway, with a SAR 7.8 billion ($2 billion) contract awarded to a partnership between China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited (CSCEC) and El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd.
Commenting on the new high-profile districts, Jerry Inzerillo stated: “Qurain Cultural District and Northern District are two of our most important and significant areas of the Diriyah masterplan and demonstrate the range and diversity of what our City of Earth has to offer.
“They will both become global centers of excellence, of knowledge, learning and creativity as Diriyah once more becomes a gathering place for the world. We are delighted to share details of these major developments at Bashayer and share once more the unique range of investment opportunities and partnerships the Diriyah Company has to offer the world.”
Luxury hospitality expansion: seven groundbreakings
In a parallel announcement, Diriyah Company broke ground on seven ultra-luxury hotels. These properties represent an integral part of the project’s 40+ planned hotels, collectively contributing to over 6,500 rooms across Diriyah and neighbouring Wadi Safar. The seven new additions include:
- Raffles Diriyah
- Armani Diriyah
- Orient Express Diriyah
- Baccarat Diriyah
- Corinthia Diriyah
- Fauchon L’Hotel Diriyah
- Rosewood Diriyah
These hotels will collectively add 877 rooms and reflect Diriyah’s commitment to unmatched luxury and hospitality standards. This groundbreaking reinforces Diriyah’s ambition to welcome 50 million visits annually and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to boost tourism’s GDP contribution to 10%.
Commenting on the successful groundbreakings, Jerry Inzerillo said: “At Diriyah we are committed to offering the highest world-class standards of hospitality and we are enormously proud to have broken ground on these seven prestigious properties.
“We will be a destination where you can find every one of the best global hotel brands delivering unrivalled levels of luxury, experience and service as Diriyah welcomes increasing numbers of guests from inside Saudi Arabia and around the world.
“This is the second Bashayer event where we have undertaken hotel groundbreakings and demonstrated the progress and accelerated development in building The City of Earth.”
A vision for the future
The Diriyah Project, one of Saudi Arabia’s five giga-projects underpinned by the Public Investment Fund, is a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s transformation under Vision 2030. Upon completion, the project is projected to:
- House 100,000 residents.
- Create 178,000 jobs.
- Host 50 million visits annually.
- Contribute $18.6 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP.
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Read also: Diriyah announces major DMC partnerships at WTM London
