Diriyah, a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, is seeing a remarkable surge in development, marked by significant contract awards and the launch of new ultra-luxury residential projects.

Contracts worth a total of SAR18.75 billion ($5 billion) across 15 major agreements were awarded in the first half of the year, signalling the rapid acceleration of the project.

Further bolstering its portfolio of branded residential offerings, Diriyah Company last month announced the sales launch of two highly anticipated developments: the Aman Residences, Amansamar, and The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar. 

The awarded contracts cover six memorandums of agreement and nine deals, the most significant of which are:

•   Royal Diriyah Opera House:  Diriyah Company signed a SAR5.1-billion deal with a joint venture of El Seif Engineering Contracting Co (ESEC), Midmac Construction Co, and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) for the development of the iconic Royal Diriyah Opera House. This flagship performing arts venue and a major architectural landmark will set new benchmarks for cultural performances in Saudi Arabia and be the winter home for New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Opera.

•   KSU Utilities: Diriyah Company awarded a SAR4.225 billion construction contract to a joint venture comprising China Railway Construction Corporation Saudi Branch and China Railway Construction Group Central Plain Construction Co (CRCCSA and CRCGCPC) to relocate the existing utilities and administration offices of King Saud University within the Diriyah masterplan.

Diriyah Square ... the latest contract involves the construction of 73 individual buildings.

•   Diriyah Square: A SAR2.249 billion contract for construction work on the high-profile Diriyah Square retail precinct was awarded to Salini Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of Italian construction giant WeBuild, to build 73 individual buildings and 400 shell-and-core retail units involving a built-up area of 365,340 sq m and includes the facades, finishes and fit-outs of the units.

•   Diriyah Arena – Construction has commenced on the 20,000-seat Diriyah Arena, following the award of a SAR5.75 billion super-block contract to the Branch of China Harbour Engineering Company. The multi-purpose venue honours traditional Najdi architectural elements and is designed as a flexible and scalable venue to accommodate events such as concerts, sporting events, esports competitions, exhibitions, and live shows.

LUXURY HOTEL RESIDENCES

Expanding its portfolio of luxury hotel residences, Diriyah announced the sales launch of the Aman Residences, Amansamar in Wadi Safar, an exclusive collection of 34 villas. Designed with five- and six-bedroom layouts and set on plots starting from 9,000 sq m, the villas offer privacy, expansive living spaces, and access to world-class amenities such as the Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, the Royal Diriyah Equestrian and Polo Club and Aman Spa with a hammam and banya, a racquet club, and pools.

The ultra-luxury villas and private estates have been developed as part of the integrated Amansamar community in the prestigious Wadi Safar masterplan, a signature development by Diriyah Company.

The Aman-branded Residences, the first  in Saudi Arabia, will be located alongside the 80-key Aman hotel, together comprising the ultra-luxury Amansamar destination.

The 20,000-seat Diriyah Arena features Najdi architectural elements.

Blending Aman’s ethos of peace with “samar”, the Arabic tradition of storytelling at dusk, Amansamar reflects the surrounding desert’s cultural and natural heritage. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, the hotel and residences will offer panoramic views, the brand’s signature minimalist design, and a sense of immersive tranquillity.

Diriyah also announced the exclusive launch of Armani Residences Diriyah, which will feature 15 limited-edition units with curated interiors by the late Giorgio Armani in Diriyah Square, in addition to The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar, which will feature 20 branded private villas.

The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar will feature 20 branded private villas.

The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar will include 16 four- and five-bedroom villas, as well as four exclusive five-bedroom premium villas. Every villa is being built around the Greg Norman-designed Wadi Safar Signature Golf Course with uninterrupted views of the championship golf facility.

Designed by the internationally acclaimed architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), The Chedi Residences Wadi Safar are set within the breathtaking cliffs of the Wadi Safar destination, offering a serene residential sanctuary that blends cultural heritage with contemporary design.

Villa owners will also benefit from seamless access to world-class amenities at the neighbouring 85-room The Chedi Hotel, which includes membership in an exclusive residents’ club, along with exclusive access to fine dining, curated retail, spa and wellness facilities, as well as priority access to the Royal Equestrian and Polo Club, Wadi Safar and other exclusive facilities.

The residences reflect a modern interpretation of Najdi architecture, incorporating heritage-inspired courtyards and walls that foster a sense of privacy, stillness, and connection to the natural landscape.

Diriyah’s prestigious portfolio of branded residences also includes Baccarat Residences Diriyah, Corinthia Residences Diriyah, Raffles Residences Diriyah, The Ritz-Carlton Residences Diriyah, and The Ritz-Carlton Signature Collection Diriyah that in total comprise over 300 branded residences.

HISTORIC VISIT

Diriyah Company is preparing to welcome 50 million visitors across its portfolio of 40 hotels when the Riyadh Expo 2030 opens. Diriyah welcomed more than 3.6 million visits by mid-2025, strengthening its status as a vibrant and welcoming global destination since the opening of Bujairi Terrace and the historic At-Turaif District in December 2022.

In a historic moment, Diriyah hosted HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and US President Donald Trump, who toured the destination alongside Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo. Their visit included the At-Turaif District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of the kingdom.

This landmark occasion – the first-ever visit by a sitting American president to Diriyah – carried both political significance and cultural symbolism, celebrating the strong ties between the two nations.

Meanwhile, reinforcing its leadership across multiple fields, Diriyah has earned a series of prestigious awards since January 2025. Among the most notable are the Best Sustainable Tourism Development Project Award, the Excellence in Sustainability Award, and the Innovation in Urban Design Award. The city was also added to the World’s Travel Green List 2025, published annually by the British platform Wanderlust.

Diriyah has further consolidated its institutional and professional standing with multiple accolades and certifications. These include the SAP Award for Human Resources Management Modernization, the Excellence in Local Content Award, and the Best Design and Décor Award for Layali Diriyah.

The Wadi Safar project received three certifications from the Mostadam programme after meeting all sustainability criteria. Diriyah Company also achieved two ISO certifications in sustainable practices and Business Continuity Management Systems, reflecting its dedication to operational resilience, sustainability, and global best practices.