The much anticipated $4.58 billion Avenues Riyadh project is now 44.5% complete and is on track to open in early 2026.
The landmark development located in northern Riyadh, designed with Salmani architecture, will span 390,000 square meters and include one of the largest malls in the Middle East.
The Avenues Riyadh will also feature 3 luxury hotel towers, including Waldorf Astoria, Canopy by Hilton, and a Conrad hotel.
The project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to position Saudi Arabia as one of the top global tourist destinations.
The Avenues Riyadh’s Progress
Despite its massive scale, The Avenues Riyadh is progressing at an impressive pace. As of the latest updates, the project has reached a remarkable 44.5% completion rate, with various critical components already fully operational.
These include the district cooling plant, chiller plant room, utility tunnel, ETS rooms, and cooling towers. Furthermore, the project has surpassed the pouring of 1 million cubic meters of concrete, a significant milestone in its construction journey.
This visionary undertaking is a collaboration between Shomoul Holding Company and the renowned regional architecture and engineering firm Pace.
Workforce for Avenues Riyadh
The Avenues Riyadh’s rapid progress can be attributed to the tireless efforts of a dedicated workforce comprising 13,000 direct personnel operating around the clock in three shifts.
This unwavering commitment to excellence has enabled the project to maintain its ambitious timeline, bringing it closer to its anticipated opening in the first quarter of 2026.
The Avenues Riyadh’s Location
Strategically positioned in the heart of Saudi Arabia’s capital, The Avenues Riyadh commands a prime location overlooking the intersection of two major thoroughfares: King Salman Road and King Fahd Road.
This northern Riyadh setting places the development at the epicenter of the city’s bustling activities, ensuring seamless connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.
Design of The Avenues Riyadh
Spanning an impressive 390,000 square meters, with a staggering total built-up area of 1,870,000 square meters, The Avenues Riyadh is a testament to architectural ingenuity.
Inspired by the Salmani architectural style, a hallmark of the Najd region, the development’s design pays homage to the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage while embracing modernity.
Hotels at The Avenues Riyadh
Hilton has partnered with Shomoul Holding Company to build and manage 4 hotels within the 3 hotel towers of The Avenues Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s largest mixed-use development project.
According to the agreement, Hilton will introduce a 350-room Waldorf Astoria and a 400-room Conrad, both offering distinctive luxury experiences, a 500-room Hilton Garden Inn, and a 150-room Canopy by Hilton – marking the debut of Hilton’s lifestyle Canopy brand in the Middle East.
The Retail Hub
Its vast commercial component is undoubtedly one of the project’s standout features. Upon completion, The Avenues Riyadh is set to become one of the largest commercial malls in the Middle East, boasting an impressive gross leasable area of approximately 370,000 square meters.
This retail hub promises to offer an unparalleled shopping and dining experience, catering to diverse preferences and lifestyles.
Additionally, a residential tower and an office tower, complemented by a vast parking facility accommodating over 14,000 vehicles, ensure convenience and accessibility for residents and visitors.
The Nine Districts of The Avenues
The Avenues Riyadh comprises nine distinct districts, each offering a unique experience and catering to diverse preferences. These districts include:
- Grand Avenue
- Prestige
- The Souk
- The Mall
- Electra
- The Oasis
- The Walk
- The Forum
- Grand Plaza
Grand Avenue
Serving as the backbone of the complex, Grand Avenue draws inspiration from the successful model of The Avenues – Kuwait, ensuring seamless connectivity and accessibility to the other districts within the mall. Grand Avenue features a 670m long urban street with double-storey retail facades.
Prestige (Star Atrium)
Prestige, also known as the Star Atrium, is Riyadh’s premier showcase for luxury brands. Spanning two levels and encompassing 66 luxury retail units, this district exudes opulence with its lavish single and two-story units, accessible from both floors.
Light marble walls, gold architectural details, and a dramatic lighted crystal dome create an unparalleled shopping and dining environment.
The Souk
Inspired by traditional local marketplaces, The Souk invites visitors to explore its narrow paths and hidden courtyards, recreating the indigenous architectural character of the region. With surprises awaiting around every corner, this district promises an immersive and authentic shopping experience.
The Mall
The Mall is a melting pot of diverse offerings, offering three levels of fashion, food, and entertainment. This district is a central hub, directly connected to one of The Avenues’ hotels, linking Grand Avenue, Prestige, Grand Plaza, and The Oasis outdoor dining zone.
Other Districts
The remaining districts, including Electra, The Oasis, The Walk, The Forum, and Grand Plaza, contribute to the richness and diversity of The Avenues Riyadh, each offering unique experiences and attractions.
These areas cater to various interests and preferences, from outdoor dining zones to entertainment venues and public spaces.
Elevating Economic Growth
Beyond its architectural grandeur and commercial allure, The Avenues Riyadh is poised to contribute significantly to the Kingdom’s economic growth.
The project is expected to create over 20,000 job opportunities for Saudi nationals, aligning with the country’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and promote sustainable development.
Redefining Riyadh’s Commercial Landscape
As The Avenues Riyadh nears completion, it is a testament to the Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to transforming its urban landscape and fostering economic growth.
This ambitious project promises to redefine Riyadh’s architectural and commercial realms and catalyze the nation’s broader vision of sustainable development and diversification.
More Riyadh’s Transformative Projects
Boulevard Business Park
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority has unveiled plans for a $266 million business park at Boulevard City in Riyadh.
Named the “[Boulevard Business Park],” this new project will consist of nine buildings with views of the Boulevard City Fountain, an outdoor art gallery, and a suspended pool.
The initiative aims to promote creativity, innovation, and support for entrepreneurs and businesses, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Riyadh Metro Project
The Riyadh Metro Project is set to launch soon, emerging as one of the globe’s largest public transportation systems, with the capacity to serve up to 3.6 million passengers daily.
Stretching across 176 kilometers, the network will include 6 lines and 84 stations, linking major spots across Riyadh, such as King Khalid International Airport, KAFD, and the city center.
ROSHN Stadium
ROSHN Group, the premier Real Estate developer in Saudi Arabia, fully owned by PIF, has revealed their plans for a state-of-the-art ROSHN Stadium with a seating capacity of 45,000.
Situated in Southwest Riyadh, the stadium will cover an area of 450,000 square meters and boast a striking crystalline structure that reaches towards the sky.
This will be ROSHN’s inaugural sports project and will include various retail outlets, dining options, and green areas.
The ROSHN Stadium will serve as a venue for major global sports and cultural events, which aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
King Salman Stadium
Royal Commission for Riyadh City and The Ministry of Sport have announced designs for the new 92,000 capacity King Salman Stadium in Riyadh.
The stadium, set to be completed in 2029, will serve as the new home ground for the Saudi National Team and host major international sporting events.
With a total area of 660,000 square meters, the stadium will be integrated into the King Abdulaziz Park, including a 150-seat Royal Suite and 120 hospitality suites.
This project aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to enhance Riyadh’s reputation as a top global sports destination.
Global Sports Tower
Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans for The Global Sports Tower in Riyadh, which is set to become the world’s tallest sports tower.
This 130-meter towering structure will be located in The Sports Boulevard, one of the major projects in Riyadh.
It is expected to include various world-class sports facilities, such as the highest indoor climbing wall in the world and a running track on its rooftop.
Riyadh Sports Boulevard
The Riyadh Sports Boulevard has been designed to be the longest linear park in the world, with the purpose of connecting the Wadi Hanifa in the western part of Riyadh to the Wadi Al Sulai in the eastern part of the city, spanning a total distance of 135km.
This project aims to transform Riyadh into one of the world’s most livable and healthy cities. The development plans to include various pathways, bike lanes, and horse riding trails, covering a vast area of 4.4 million square meters of green spaces.
The impressive initiative will also consist of 8 exceptional districts, such as an athletics district, an entertainment district, and an arts district.
New Murabba
The most recent video demonstrates significant advancements in the construction of the New Murabba, the largest contemporary downtown in northwest Riyadh.
A remarkable 5 million cubic tonnes of soil have already been removed, and the project is making notable headway.
This ambitious venture covers an area of 19 square kilometers and will include the distinctive cube-shaped Mukaab at its heart, capable of holding 20 Empire State Buildings.
King Salman Park
King Salman Park, the largest urban park in the world, is scheduled to open in 2024, covering a total area of 16 square kilometers.
The park includes 11 square kilometers of greenery and water features in the heart of Riyadh.
Its major attractions will be a Royal Arts Complex, an equestrian center, an 850,000-square-meter Royal golf course, and the city’s first skydiving center.
In addition, the park will offer over 2,000 hotel rooms and aims to elevate the quality of life in the city, following the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, thereby improving Riyadh’s global ranking.
AL-URUBAH Park
The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has recently announced the construction of one of the biggest parks in the city, Al-Uruba Park.
This park, spanning over 754,000 square meters, will include a 3-kilometer long panoramic path, standing 12 meters high, specifically designed to offer breathtaking views of Riyadh.
The park’s landscape will be adorned with more than 600,000 trees and shrubs, covering 65% of the park’s total area, will embellish its landscape.
Al-Uraba Park is a significant part of the Green Riyadh Program. It aims to plant 7.5 million trees in Riyadh to reduce the city’s temperature and air pollution levels and ultimately make it one of the world’s most desirable places to live.
Riyadh Rise Tower
Saudi Arabia Holding Co. has unveiled its plans for the Rise Tower, which is set to become the world’s tallest skyscraper in Riyadh, surpassing even the renowned Burj Khalifa. The unveiling of Rise Tower’s plans is a significant component of the broader North Pole Project in Riyadh.
Rise Tower is anticipated to exceed 828 meters to outshine the Burj Khalifa. There are speculations that Rise Tower might ascend to a staggering 2 kilometers, doubling the Burj Khalifa’s current height.
With these transformative projects, Riyadh, one of the world’s top 15 fastest-growing cities, is transforming into a city known for its accessibility and quality of life to become among the world’s top 10 cities with an investment of $1 trillion over the next seven years.
Keep Reading: [Saudi Arabia Launches a $266 Million Boulevard Business Park in Riyadh]
