In a world where the United Arab Emirates aims to become the new capital of skyscrapers, Saudi Arabia aspires to be the hub of megaprojects. The Line is among its most ambitious undertakings, but that’s just the beginning. The country also has plans for an impressive new airport in Riyadh, a skyscraper exceeding 3,300 feet, and another towering up to 6,500 feet, among many other constructions.
One particularly remarkable project currently in the works is a colossal cube measuring 1,300 feet in each dimension, which could accommodate 20 buildings the size of the Empire State Building.
Mukaab. The project, named Mukaab, presents a unique and imposing design. It’ll stand 1,300 feet tall, 1,300 feet wide, and 1,300 feet long. The goal of this unconventional structure is to maximize the use of space within.
In fact, Mukaab is envisioned as a self-contained city featuring more than 4.3 million square feet dedicated to shops, residences, entertainment, and interior gardens. At its center will be a spiral-shaped tower. Essentially, it’ll be a city within a cube, equipped with its own internal transportation system and all the amenities needed for self-sustainability.
Making progress. The Public Investment Fund (PIF), the entity providing for funding the cube, first announced its plans to build Mukaab in 2023. Most recently, New Murabba, a PIF company, provided an update on the complex.
In a statement, officials revealed that they’ve already invested more than three million work hours into the project and have completed 86% of the excavation process. New Murabba also reported that the pace of work is impressive, with more than 350 million cubic meters of earth moved so far.
In recent months, the site has been active daily, with 250 excavators and more than 400 pieces of equipment operating every day. The construction progress is now visible on Google Maps and in images shared by the project team.
Unbridled ambition. Mukaab is just one part of a much larger vision: New Murabba. This ambitious project aims to transform the region across 7 square miles, offering more than 100,000 homes, 10.5 million square feet of retail space, 15 million square feet of office areas, hotels, a university, and 19 million square feet dedicated to cultural and leisure activities.
The goal is to complete this development by 2030, coinciding with the rollout of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. Vision 2030 also encompasses The Line and other Neom initiatives. In the meantime, PIF has announced plans for the construction of a temporary bridge designed to facilitate the movement of goods, allowing the foundation work for Mukaab to begin in the coming months.
Diversification is key. Mukaab and New Murabba aren’t merely fanciful ideas. The project aims to create 334,000 direct jobs to help diversify the Saudi economy, which has been heavily reliant on oil. Now, all we can do is wait and see how the new city and the developments surrounding The Line progress.
Image | New Murabba
View 0 comments