AtkinsRéalis named to design New Murabba masterplan

The signing of the agreement

The New Murabba Development Co. (NMDC), a fully-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), appointed AtkinsRéalis to execute the design of the New Murabba masterplan, the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh, according to a statement.

AtkinsRéalis’ competition-winning scheme is inspired by Najdi Architecture, with a focus on creating a futuristic landmark with deep contextual roots that blends Riyadh’s cultural heritage with its future ambitions. The Mukaab will be the world’s largest immersive destination providing innovative experiences driven by digital and virtual technology, the company said.

The Mukaab’s exterior envelop shrouds an internal skyscraper, which will be one of the largest built structures in the world’s history, standing 400 meter high, 400 meter wide, and 400 meter long. The design of the Mukaab will also include first-of-its-kind hospitality, F&B and retail facilities.

Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Prime Minister and NMDC Chairman, announced, on Feb. 16, the launch of the New Murabba Development Co. which aims to develop the world’s largest modern downtown in Riyadh. This will contribute to the city’s future development in line with Saudi Vision 2030, according to Argaam's data.

The project will be situated at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads to the northwest of Riyadh, over an area of 19 square kilometers, to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents. It will offer more than 25 million square meters (sqm) of floor area, featuring more than 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, and more than 980,000 sqm of retail space, as well as 1.4 million sqm of office space, 620,000 sqm of leisure assets, and 1.8 million sqm of space dedicated to community facilities.