Diriyah’s ‘City of Earth’ announces major milestones
The ambitious development has seen progress on key infrastructure over the past year, including the completion in November of the super-basement of Diriyah Square
Charged with revitalising Saudi Arabia’s historic birthplace in Riyadh, Diriyah Company is driving forward its US $63.2bn transformation, and says the year will have major milestones, with new details expected on the recently announced Boulevard District – a cultural hub envisioned as the kingdom’s own Champs-Élysées.
Located just 15 minutes from the heart of Riyadh, ‘The City of Earth’ has already seen the opening of Bujairi Terrace – opposite the Unesco World Heritage Site of At-Turaif – which has now become a premium dining and events destination.
The ambitious development has seen progress on key infrastructure over the past year, including the completion in November of the super-basement of Diriyah Square, the setting for six luxury hotels. Over the past year, the developer has also significantly accelerated its overall programme, having signed major contracts for a variety of large-scale projects within the 14sqkm development area.
The three-level underground structure features parking for 10,500 vehicles, 5.7sqkm of tunnels, and two metro tracks. This work involved the excavation to a depth of 40m and the removal of 10m cu/m of rock, which was then reused elsewhere on-site.
Diriyah Company also marked the completion last month of a 1,707MVA-capacity bulk substation and a 200MVA-capacity primary substation. The $181.7mn substations, operated by Saudi Electricity Company and designed in the authentic Najdi architectural style, will power key developments including Diriyah Square, the Qurain Cultural District and Wadi Safar.
Its latest contract awards includes deal signed in November last year, for a joint venture between Nesma & Partners Contracting Company and MAN Enterprise Al Saudia for the development of Qurain Cultural District. There is also a contract with China State Construction Engineering Co-operation (CSCEC) and El Seif Engineering Contracting Company for the design and construction of assets in Diriyah’s Northern District.
This was followed early last month by the award of a consultancy contract to Omrania, a subsidiary of Egis Group, for the Boulevard District project. The firm will oversee the multidisciplinary design of buildings in three community zones along the 70m-wide boulevard, encompassing concept and detailed designs, as well as construction supervision. Omrania’s work will integrate with Diriyah’s masterplan, connecting the Boulevard District to cultural, retail, residential, and commercial assets across the development.
