The commencement of the first rock excavation at Sharaan Nature Reserve by Bouygues Construction marks a new phase for the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in bringing to life the Sharaan Resort, an embodiment of sustainable luxury in one of the world’s most enigmatic natural settings.
Originally announced in 2018 with an anticipated completion in 2023, the Sharaan Resort project is now finally underway. While the reasons for the delay remain uncommunicated, the groundbreaking signals a reinvigorated commitment to this groundbreaking venture.
The initial excavation symbolises the start of a mission that combines Jean Nouvel’s architectural innovation with Bouygues’ engineering expertise. This milestone is an important step forward in AlUla’s evolution into a premier destination for sustainable luxury tourism.
Nestled within the ancient geological wonders of the Sharaan Nature Reserve, the Sharaan Resort will offer an experience unlike any other. With 38 custom suites carved into sandstone mountains, comprehensive wellness facilities, family-friendly amenities, diverse dining options, and unique panoramic views, the resort embodies tranquillity, luxury, and an immersive engagement with AlUla’s unparalleled beauty.
RCU and its contractor partners have developed construction techniques that take the ancient Nabataean practice of creating spaces within rock, and then apply modern engineering methods to create habitable spaces that are more aligned to modern-day expectations. Part of the project’s uniqueness lies in having excavated areas one on top of the other.
Architect Jean Nouvel, reflecting on the project’s profound connection with its setting, shared, “The first astonishment in this exceptional project arises from the request to inscribe architecture in a site as powerful and mysterious. The rule today is universal: a pristine and remarkable site must be preserved. Preserved from what? From architecture. The site? These are the landscapes where the Nabataeans decided to create their eternal houses, thus giving them a noble and sacred dimension. The site of Sharaan is majestic, unviolated, mysterious. It is a world in itself. How to inhabit it while preserving its sensations? By delving deeper into it.”
Ben Hudson, Chief Development and Construction Officer at RCU, said: “The Sharaan Resort is our most ambitious project yet. This initial excavation is tangible evidence of our continued efforts to develop AlUla into a premier destination that harmonises luxury tourism with the preservation of unique cultural and natural heritage. Our work is fully guided by RCU’s environmental, social and health impact processes, and we are ensuring that all stakeholders appreciate the special location we are working in.”
The Sharaan Resort is set to be a leading international destination, offering guests a highly sophisticated visitor experience amid the tranquillity of an untouched desert environment. Located in a valley within the Sharaan Nature Reserve, the resort is enveloped by dramatic cliffs, rocky plateaus, and spectacular sand dunes. The extraordinary architecture of the project aims to respect to the integrity and authenticity of the desert environment.
The RCU’s aspirations for the resort include the creation of a stunning, instantly recognisable global icon that stands in harmony with the desert’s millennia-old landscape. The Sharaan Resort will not only accommodate guests with 38 keys, including bespoke suites, villas, and tented pavilions but also feature an International Summit Centre, a congregation point for world leaders.
The resort targets discerning travellers who yearn for nature-close, culturally rich experiences. With a strategic approach to construction that integrates local materials and state-of-the-art technology, the project reinforces the Vision 2030 goals by enhancing the tourism economy and inviting foreign investment.
As the luxury tourism landscape of AlUla evolves, the Sharaan Resort, under the leadership of the RCU development team, promises to be a testament to sustainable development and a celebration of AlUla’s profound heritage and natural beauty.
For the moment, no date has been announced for the completion of the project. SAFE will keep you posted as news comes to hand.
