The Saudi Arabian government has announced plans to construct a 400-meter tall cubic skyscraper named Mukaab located in the Murabba central district of Riyadh.
Interior and exterior design of the Mukaab skyscraper.
Expected to be built in northwest Riyadh, the 19 km² Murabba area will serve as the new central hub of the capital city. Dubbed the “new face of Riyadh”, this area will be developed around the Mukaab building, which will be one of the largest construction projects in the world. The Mukaab will stand at 400 meters tall and stretch 400 meters on each side, making it the tallest building in the city with the capacity to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents, as reported by Dezeen on February 17.
The cubic structure will feature a closed side and consist of multiple stacked triangular shapes, inspired by modern Najdi architectural style. It will have a nearly full-height atrium and will house a twisting tower.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the establishment of the New Murabba Development Company to transform the Riyadh central area through the construction of the building, which aims to provide a unique living, working, and entertainment experience. The project will focus on sustainability with green spaces, pedestrian paths, and cycling routes that enhance the quality of life by promoting healthy lifestyles and community activities. The Murabba area will include a museum, a university of technology and design, an immersive stage, and over 80 venues for entertainment and cultural exchange.
Murabba will feature more than 25 million square meters of floor space, with 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 980,000 m² of retail space, 1.4 million m² of office space, 620,000 m² of entertainment facilities, and 1.8 million m² of community space. The project will include an internal transportation system and will be a 20-minute drive from the airport. It is estimated that the project will create 334,000 jobs upon completion in 2030.
Video: Dezeen
