Saudi Arabia’s capital is getting a futuristic makeover thanks to a new development project known as New Murabba. Expected to be completed by 2030, the enormous downtown area in Riyadh will cover nearly 7.5 square miles and accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents. And at its center, an enormous cuboid skyscraper called The Mukaab will become the neighborhood’s iconic landmark.
Measuring 400 meters (approximately 1,312 feet) on each side, The Mukaab could hold 20 Empire State Buildings. When completed, it will be one of the top 50 tallest buildings in the world. But that’s not all that makes it impressive. Marketed as the world’s first immersive destination, The Mukaab will provide an experience “created by digital and virtual technology with the latest holographics.”
A large spiraling tower sits inside the center of The Mukaab, making the cube a sort of gift box for the impressive feature. The Mukaab was designed to be a premium hospitality destination with a multitude of retail, cultural, and tourist attractions, along with residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities.
The New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, has stated that The Mukaab was inspired by modern Najdi architecture. Its lush roof garden fits in with New Murabba’s mission of sustainability. This new neighborhood will also include cycling and walking paths, as well as open green areas.
New Murabba will also include a museum, a design and technology university, an immersive theater, and over 80 entertainment and culture venues. Designed to “unlock the capabilities of promising sectors,” New Murabba is part of the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s strategy to diversify the country’s income sources.
The Mukaab is an enormous cuboid skyscraper in a new downtown development in Saudi Arabia.
