Red Sea Global (RSG) has been awarded 6 new LEED certifications for its luxury properties at the stunning Red Sea resorts in Saudi Arabia.
The certifications include hospitality platinum awards for the recently opened Six Senses Southern Dunes Resort, The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
The Amaala masterplan also received pre certification, which makes Red Sea Global the only developer outside the USA on the 2024 LEED Power Builders list.
Red Sea Global’s Certifications
The six newly awarded LEED certifications for properties at The Red Sea and the LEED for Cities and Communities pre-certification for the AMAALA masterplan solidify RSG’s position as a trailblazer in developing energy-efficient, low-impact structures.
This milestone achievement underscores RSG’s unwavering dedication to redefining industry standards and pioneering eco-conscious practices in the realm of luxury hospitality
John Pagano, the esteemed Group CEO at Red Sea Global, emphasized,
“We were determined to redefine industry standards from the outset. To ensure we deliver on this ambition, our teams work in lockstep, scrutinizing design plans and collaborating during the build process, resulting in high-quality, low-impact properties.”
The Pinnacle of Sustainable Hospitality
The seven prestigious LEED certifications in total earned by RSG span across its flagship properties, each representing a pinnacle of sustainable excellence:
- Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea: LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality Platinum
- The St. Regis Red Sea Resort: LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality Platinum
- Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve: LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality Platinum
- Turtle Bay Management Office: LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction Platinum
- The Red Sea Linear Apartments: LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction Gold
- The Red Sea Type Z Apartments: LEED v4 BD+C: New Construction Gold
- AMAALA Masterplan: LEED v4.1 Cities and Communities: Plan and Design Communities (First Phase) Platinum
A Pioneering Vision Realized
The Red Sea, one of RSG’s flagship destinations, welcomed its first guests last year, with three of its hotels now open and operational. These hotels include:
- Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
The Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which is open for reservations, is located on the stunning Ummahat Island in the Saudi Red Sea.
This impressive reserve, inspired by the shape of a shell, boasts 63 luxury villas with breathtaking ocean views. Guests can choose from 1 to 3-bedroom options and 18 exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve branded residences.
The resort also offers top-notch amenities like a diving center, fitness center, and various high-end restaurants. To reach the reserve, guests can take a chartered boat or seaplane from the recently launched Red Sea International Airport. Prices start at 9250 SAR per night.
- Six Sense Southern Dunes
Six Sense Southern Dunes, The Red Sea was the first hotel to officially open in the Red Sea Project, with a special opening offer. This stunning resort offers 36 guest rooms and 40 pool villas situated against the backdrop of the Majestic Arabian Desert and Hijaz Mountains.
The resort combines visionary tourism with sustainability and heritage. Nestled in The Red Sea Destination, this resort is a testament to innovation, adventure, and a rich cultural legacy.
- St. Regis Red Sea Resort
The St. Regis Red Sea Resort, which is also officially opened to the public, is the first private island resort along the stunning Saudi Red Sea coast.
Situated on the unspoiled Ummahat Island, the resort’s access is facilitated through chartered boat services or seaplane transportation from the recently established Red Sea International Airport.
Featuring a collection of 90 spacious overwater villas, including overwater and beachfront options equipped with exclusive private pools, the resort boasts various luxury offerings, including its renowned signature spa and five distinct dining venues.
Additionally, Shebara and Desert Rock are poised to welcome their inaugural visitors later this year, while the highly anticipated Shura Island is on track to commence operations in 2025.
Complementing The Red Sea, the Thuwal Private Retreat, located further south, is set to open its doors in the coming weeks, offering a secluded and exclusive haven for discerning travelers.
Meanwhile, the ambitious AMAALA project remains on schedule to welcome its first guests in 2025, with the inaugural phase comprising eight resorts, the iconic Yacht Club, and the groundbreaking Corallium Marine Life Institute.
Innovative Sustainability Features
To achieve these prestigious LEED certifications, each property incorporates a suite of cutting-edge sustainability features, including passive design techniques, energy-efficient technologies, water conservation strategies, and the utilization of treated sewage effluent for irrigation purposes.
Peter Templeton, the esteemed CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), commends RSG’s commitment, stating,
“Achieving LEED certification is more than just implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better.”
Mitigating Environmental Impact
All six properties newly certified at The Red Sea are seamlessly integrated into the destination’s renewable infrastructure, operating entirely on solar energy.
Across Phase One of the development alone, this approach will prevent the equivalent of 575,000 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere annually, a remarkable feat equivalent to removing more than 133,000 cars from the road for an entire year or powering 75,000 homes.
Sustainable Hospitality at Red Sea
When Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, opened its doors last year, it became the first hotel in Saudi Arabia to achieve the coveted LEED Platinum status, setting a precedent for sustainable hospitality in the region.
In recognition of its outstanding commitment to LEED and residential green building, the U.S. Green Building Council included Red Sea Global in its 2024 LEED Power Builders list – a prestigious honor that distinguishes RSG as the only developer outside the United States to receive this accolade.
Greener Future Ahead
The LEED v4.1 Building Design + Construction certification, a globally recognized benchmark in energy and environmental design, serves as a foundation for RSG’s pursuit of even loftier sustainability goals.
Achieving this certification paves the way for the company to attain additional accreditations, such as LEED Zero, which verifies the achievement of net-zero emissions in buildings during operation and maintenance.
Inspiring Sustainable Tourism
Red Sea Global’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development extends far beyond its portfolio of luxury destinations.
With its groundbreaking achievements in securing LEED certifications, Red Sea Global has firmly established itself as a catalyst for sustainable tourism, inspiring a paradigm shift in the industry and paving the way for a greener, more eco-conscious future.
Future Developments at Red Sea
Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA
Red Sea Global and Four Seasons are preparing to launch Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA at AMAALA Triple Bay in Saudi Arabia.
Created by U+A, a global architecture and design studio, the resort will offer 220 rooms and suites, private pools, a lavish spa, and 26 branded villas that provide stunning views of the bay and sea.
Scheduled to open in 2025 as part of AMAALA’s first phase, this project highlights Four Seasons’ dedication to supporting Saudi Arabia’s expanding tourism sector.
Four Seasons Resort Red Sea
Red Sea Global, renowned for its ambitious regenerative tourism initiatives, has joined hands with Kingdom Holding Company to create the Four Seasons Resort Red Sea, which will be set on Shura Island, the main hub island of the Red Sea destination.
This luxury resort will feature 149 rooms, suites, and 31 residential properties and is expected to open to guests by early 2025.
The Four Seasons Resort Red Sea, with its luxurious offerings, is a testament to the shared vision of creating extraordinary destinations that drive economic growth and job creation and preserve precious ecosystems.
Sheybarah Island Resort
The Sheybarah Island Resort, a luxury 73-key resort with stunning over-water villas, is positioned to redefine the concept of luxury tourism with an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
Red Sea Global has recently unveiled progress at Sheybarah Resort. Designed by the esteemed Dubai-based architectural firm Killa Design, the resort promises a unique combination of luxury and sustainability.
Desert Rock Resort
Located just 20 minutes from Red Sea’s airport, Desert Rock Resort, which is now 50 percent complete, will offer a unique luxury experience integrated with the rock side. It will feature 48 villas and 12 hotel rooms, a fitness center, a lagoon oasis, and several remote dining destinations.
Unlike conventional resorts, Desert Rock is not built on the mountainside. Instead, it is sculpted directly into the ancient rock, preserving the environment’s striking silhouette. The materials excavated from the construction site, such as stone and sand, are repurposed for the resort’s infrastructure.
The project aims to create a world-class luxury destination while preserving the region’s rich history. It employs local community members as land stewards, providing educational tours for visitors.
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