Designed as the heart of the new Murabba district in Riyadh, Mukaab confirms the kingdom's ambition to position itself as a global hub for tourism and crazy architecture, far from its dependence on oil. This project, which is part of Vision 2030, aims to diversify the Saudi economy and transform Riyadh into a cultural capital.
A giant cube 400 meters high
The Mukaab is a major step forward in the development of the Arab capital. This colossal construction, measuring 400 meters high and wide, is designed to be a true “indoor city” capable of housing up to 20 buildings the size of the Empire State Building. According to Michael Dyke, Managing Director of the New Murabba Development Company, “ this cube embodies Riyadh's next chapter, as an iconic symbol of Saudi ingenuity ».
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The Mukaab will be the nerve center of the Murabba district, a vast urban planning project covering 19 square kilometers. This development includes 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, as well as commercial and office spaces of nearly two million square meters. For visitors, the experience promises to be immersive, with holographic projections and virtual reality devices capable of transporting them “ from the Serengeti to New York » in the blink of an eye, explains Michael Dyke.
The Mukaab is also distinguished by its architecture, inspired by the Saudi Najdi tradition. The facade of the cube features a modern triangular pattern and will house a gigantic central dome equipped with screens and immersive technologies. The interior will contain a spiral tower, surrounded by projection curtains, which will create visual, sensory and even olfactory environments.
The first phase of construction of Mukaab is expected to be completed in 2030, the year of the World Expo in Riyadh, a major international event where more than 190 countries are expected. This project will allow the capital to have an ultra-modern urban center, with the promise of a complete transformation of its current face. Mukaab, beyond its scale, could bring more than $50 billion to Saudi Arabia's non-oil GDP, by attracting tourists, entrepreneurs and investors.
This gigantic cube is part of the Vision 2030 plan, the Saudi strategy for diversifying the kingdom's economy: the country wants to develop the tourism, culture and innovation sectors. Other major projects in this initiative include The Line, a 170 kilometer linear city powered by renewable energy, Oxagon, a floating industrial complex, and Trojena, a futuristic ski resort in the NEOM mountains.
These projects face serious controversies. The resemblance of the Mukaab to the Kaaba of Mecca sparked reactions, and the working conditions on these construction sites were criticized. According to a documentary from the BBC recently released, workers would be subjected to grueling schedules, exceeding the legal limit of 60 hours per week, with bus journeys adding three hours to their working days.
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