The Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) recently unveiled plans for a new project in the capital city of Riyadh. Dubbed “The Mukaab” which translates to “cube” in Arabic is a massive structure set to become the largest inner-city building in the world.
The developers envision a skyscraper that is capable of accommodating hundreds of thousands of residents with a size equivalent to 20 Empire State Buildings combined. This ambitious project is expected to make a significant impact on the city’s skyline and transform Riyadh’s urban landscape.
The cube-shaped structure will be 400 meters (1,312 ft) in height, width, and length. The Mukaab is set to rank among the top 41 tallest buildings in the world.
The building’s exterior design draws inspiration from traditional Islamic architecture, while a rooftop garden will crown its pinnacle.
The interior of the Mukaab will have a floor space of approximately 2 million square meters (0.77 square miles), which the Saudi Government’s Public Investment Fund claims could theoretically hold 20 Empire State Buildings.
The most intriguing aspect of its interior is the twisting tower situated at its center resembling a colossal box housing a tower within.
According to the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the Mukaab will feature a tower perched atop a spiraling base which will serve as a hospitality destination with a wide range of retail, cultural, and tourist attractions.
The New Murabba project will offer an impressive variety of living and commercial spaces including 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 980,000 square meters of retail space, 1.4 million square meters of commercial space, 620,000 square meters of leisure facilities and 1.8 million square meters of communal amenities.
The New Murabba project is set to offer a variety of cultural and educational opportunities with its inclusion of a museum, a multipurpose theatre, and a technology and design university. The project will provide over 80 leisure and cultural outlets to explore.
To facilitate the movement the structure will have its transportation system. The project’s strategic location only 20 minutes away from the airport is another added advantage.
Focusing on sustainability as a core principle the project will incorporate various eco-friendly elements such as green spaces and walkways designed to encourage active lifestyles and communal activities such as walking and cycling.
The promotional video released by the New Murabba Development Company showcases a surreal landscape reminiscent of a science fiction movie complete with space pods, dragons, and even levitating rocks.
Spanning over 19 square kilometers, the development promises to transform Riyadh into one of the most livable cities in the world. At the heart of the project is a tower situated atop a spiral base which will house the various activities and spaces mentioned in the promotional video.
The PIF revealed that the project, scheduled to be completed by 2030 is anticipated to inject SAR180 billion ($47 billion) into the non-oil GDP while also generating 334,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities over the next seven years.
According to Arab News, the New Murabba project is set to be situated at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads in the northwestern region of Riyadh.
The project aims to provide exceptional opportunities for living, working, and entertainment all within a 15-minute walking distance, and will incorporate an internal transport system. it is conveniently located just 20 minutes away from King Khalid International Airport.
The Public Investment Fund aims to enhance the potential of promising industries, promote private sector growth, increase local content, and diversify the Saudi economy’s income sources by developing real estate projects and local infrastructure.
The project is anticipated to generate $50 billion in non-oil revenue and create 334,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030.
Sources: New Murabba Development Company, Public Investment Fund
