Mukaab: Construction at world's next largest building begins

New Murabba has maintained that it will also construct a temporary bridge that will serve as a critical enabler, connecting the construction site by crossing King Khalid Road.

Prabhat Ranjan Mishra

Mukaab will combine modern Najdi architecture with cutting-edge technologies, including immersive digital and holographic experiences.

New Murabba

Construction at the world’s next largest building has begun. Excavation at the iconic Mukaab supertall skyscraper, which will be the tallest building after completion, and surrounding podium sites has reached 86%.This achievement underscores the rapid pace of development and strong commitment to delivering the world’s largest, modern, downtown, according to New Murabba, a PIF company.“These milestones are a testament to the dedication and skill of our team, and our ambition to build a world-class destination that prioritizes both innovation and the well-being of our workforce,” said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba.“We are proud of the progress made at New Murabba, and excited to continue shaping the future of Riyadh.”

The company claims that the monumental scale of this undertaking has been matched only by its unyielding commitment to worker safety.

With over 3 million safe work hours logged to date, the company maintains that the development stands as a testament to prioritizing the well-being of those who are helping to build Riyadh’s new downtown.This accomplishment reflects a core value held throughout New Murabba, that progress and safety go hand in hand, according to New Murabba.The excavation process required the daily use of approximately 250 excavators and over 400 pieces of equipment to effectively manage the extensive excavation work.

New Murabba has maintained that it will also construct a temporary bridge that will serve as a critical enabler, connecting the construction site by crossing King Khalid Road. This connection will facilitate ongoing development and pave the way for the initiation of Mukaab piling in the coming months.The bridge is expected to reduce approximately 800,000 truck movements on public roads for earthworks alone, showcasing a positive impact on the surrounding infrastructure. With around 900 workers on-site daily, the company claims that the work is advancing rapidly, bringing the destination closer. However, one crucial element of the development is also to focus on environmentally friendly methods for managing the excavated materials.

“We are committed to sustainability, efficient resource utilization, and having a positive influence on local infrastructure,” said Dyke.“Moreover, we are dedicated to being a part of a new dawn for urban development in Riyadh, the Kingdom, and beyond.”

The project, which is planned to be completed by 2030, is expected to have around 100,000 homes, 980,000 square metres of shops, 1.4 million square metres of office space along with hotels, culture venues, a university, an immersive theatre and an “iconic” museum. It is one of 14 giga projects currently being developed in Saudi Arabia, with the best-known and most controversial being Neom.

The company claims that the Mukaab, designed by AtkinsRéalis, will combine modern Najdi architecture with cutting-edge technologies, including immersive digital and holographic experiences, featuring premium hospitality, retail, cultural, and tourist attractions, residential and hotel units, commercial spaces, and recreational facilities.

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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.

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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra