Sometimes, size really does matter
Sometimes, it feels like we are just tiny dots on the surface of Earth, and with all the huge buildings popping up every year, it’s easy to understand why.
If you want to feel even smaller, you might soon be one of 27,000 people living inside Riyadh’s $50 billion Mukaab.
This enormous project is part of Saudi Vision 2030 and will be located in the New Murabba district, standing an incredible 400 meters (1,300 ft) tall. To give you an idea of its size, the Mukaab could fit 20 Empire State Buildings inside it!
Inspired by the Murabba Palace in Riyadh but way bigger, the Mukaab was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in February 2023, and construction began last year.
The Mukaab will be the jewel of New Murabba’s crown (newmurabba.com)
Michael Dyke, the CEO of New Murabba Development Co., has expressed excitement about the Mukaab, calling it a project that truly deserves its title as a giga-project. He stated, “Mukaab is going to be the most complicated structure ever built, unmatched in history.”
He explained that the Mukaab will measure 400 meters by 400 meters and rise over 1,000 meters above sea level.
Not only will it tower over other buildings, but it will also have a huge underground area. Dyke mentioned, “The space below is just as impressive. It’s like a huge maze filled with different types of spaces.”
For instance, the retail area underneath and around the Mukaab will be as large as the Dubai Mall today, with plans to grow even bigger. This is just a sneak peek of what’s below the surface.
Inside, there will be equally impressive structures, including a dome that covers 360,000 square meters and a gigantic tower in the middle. Dyke noted, “This will be the only skyscraper in the world located inside another building, and it will be as tall as the Eiffel Tower, fully occupied.”
The lower tower is designed to accommodate 27,000 people and features the largest roof in the world, covering an incredible 16 hectares.
Living there seems like it would be an amazing adventure. Dyke mentioned, “Once you enter the dome, you’ll feel like you’re in different worlds. These worlds will change often, and you won’t even notice the dome around you—it will be a totally immersive experience.”
On the outside, the Mukaab will showcase a vibrant Najdi façade that pays tribute to the traditional architecture of the area.
When all three phases of New Murabba are finished, it’s anticipated to hold around 400,000 residents and attract millions of tourists to Mukaab. By 2030, the population of Saudi Arabia’s capital is expected to reach 10 million.
This project is set to boost the economy significantly, which should help cover some of the Mukaab’s high costs.
Featured Image Credit: Flickr