Diriyah, one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant Vision 2030 giga-developments, entered a defining phase last year as construction activity accelerated across culture, infrastructure, hospitality and retail assets. The development has now firmly moved beyond planning and enabling works, with large-scale delivery under way across the site.
According to Diriyah Company, the total value of projects and contracts awarded in 2025 reached SAR24.6 billion ($6.56 billion), underlining the scale of procurement and contractor mobilisation now taking place.
The shift marks a critical transition for the ambitious $63.2-billion project, which is transforming Saudi Arabia’s historic heart into a global cultural and lifestyle destination while preserving its UNESCO-listed heritage. The Diriyah project spans 14 sq km in Riyadh and is one of the major projects launched by Public Investment Fund (PIF) as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
In 2025, Diriyah’s progress became increasingly visible on the ground, reinforcing its position as one of the kingdom’s most active construction markets.
According to the Diriyah Company’s latest report “Vision to Reality” which highlights progress made on the giga-project last year, eight major developments are under way, five luxury hotels and residences were announced and 16 agreements and MoUs were signed.
Diriyah ... eight major developments are under construction.
In addition, the destination received 38 local and international awards and certifications and more than 3.6 million visits after key assets such as Bujairi Terrace and the At-Turaif District were opened in 2022.
“In 2025, the project reached a pivotal stage, transitioning from laying foundations to large-scale delivery, marking a clear shift from vision to execution. This phase aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, placing people, identity, and quality of life at the core of development,” says Jerry Inzerillo, GCEO of Diriyah Company.
“Throughout the year, we saw a significant acceleration in implementation, tangible progress across key assets and destinations, and the expansion of strategic partnerships. Together, these achievements reinforce Diriyah’s role as one of the kingdom’s most important national transformation projects, with growing impact locally and internationally. We remain committed to advancing with responsibility and purpose, transforming ambition into reality and creating a destination that honors history while shaping the future,” he adds.
Landmark cultural assets
Cultural and civic buildings form the backbone of Diriyah’s current construction programme. Among the most significant assets taking shape is the Diriyah Arena, a 20,000-seat world-class events venue with a project value of SAR5.75 billion which was awarded to China Harbour Engineering. Diriyah Arena is inspired by Najdi architectural traditions. Designed to host major international sporting and entertainment events, the arena represents one of the largest single construction packages currently under way at the development.
Alongside it, the Diriyah Opera House is emerging as a flagship cultural icon. The opera house is intended to position Diriyah as a premier destination for the performing arts, reinforcing the cultural credentials of the City of Earth. Under a SAR5.1-billion contract, a joint venture comprising El Seif Engineering, Midmac Construction, and China State Construction Engineering Corp is responsible for building the Royal Diriyah Opera House.
The Grand Mosque ... an iconic religious landmark inspired by authentic Najdi architecture.
Construction is progressing in parallel on the Grand Mosque, an iconic religious landmark inspired by authentic Najdi architecture and being delivered to contemporary international standards, with a contract value of SAR917 million.
The Asaan Museum is also under development, adding to the portfolio of cultural institutions that interpret Saudi heritage through a contemporary architectural lens. While a separate contract value has not been disclosed, the museum is a key component of Diriyah’s cultural and tourism offer.
Infrastructure packages
Supporting these landmark structures is a substantial programme of infrastructure works, reflecting Diriyah’s long-term development horizon. Major packages include the King Saud University infrastructure works, valued at SAR4.225 billion, which form part of advanced preparations for subsequent development phases, and work on three development contracts worth SAR5.73 billion on King Khalid Road and Media and Innovation District.
A China Railway Construction-led consortium has been contracted to relocate utilities and administration offices for King Saud University.
These works are complemented by a power stations programme, delivering two main stations to serve Diriyah and the adjacent Wadi Safar development.
Public realm delivery is also well advanced, with more than 55 km of walkways and landscaped public spaces under construction or completed across the site.
These development contracts, valued collectively at SAR210 million, are contributing to the creation of an integrated pedestrian-friendly environment designed to support long-term quality of life and tourism activity.
Diriyah Arena, a 20,000-seat world-class events venue.
Retail & commercial construction
Retail and commercial construction represents another active front. The Diriyah Square retail district is being developed as a major shopping destination that will accommodate around 400 local and international brands. In July last year, Salini Saudi Arabia, part of Italy’s WeBuild group, was awarded a SAR2.249 billion contract to construct 73 buildings and 400 retail units at Diriyah Square.
Architectural construction and fit-out works are progressing as part of the wider mixed-use masterplan, supporting Diriyah’s ambition to become a year-round lifestyle destination rather than a purely heritage-led attraction. Work on this hub is reported to be more than 40 per cent complete.
Construction work has reached 37 per cent completion on Jabal AlQurain Avenue, a pioneering new area designed as a multidisciplinary incubator for Saudi and regional entrepreneurs and emerging talent in the retail and F&B sectors.
Jabal AlQurain Avenue will provide flexible spaces for emerging and established businesses, offering a dynamic platform for creative Saudi entrepreneurs to nurture and develop innovative brands that will appeal to Diriyah residents and visitors. It will also form a significant part of the much larger Qurain Cultural District that was announced in 2024.
Ritz-Carlton Residences Diriyah ... under construction.
Luxury hotels advance
Hospitality construction is a central pillar of the Diriyah programme, with four luxury hotels and branded residential assets currently under way. These include Raffles Residences Diriyah, Capella Diriyah, Ritz-Carlton Residences Diriyah and Six Senses Diriyah. Construction progress varies across the portfolio, with Raffles Residences leading at 69 per cent completion, while other assets range from early-stage works to mid-construction phases (30 to 11 per cent completed).
While Diriyah Company has not disclosed individual contract values for these hotels, they form part of the overall SAR24.6 billion awarded projects total.
Meanwhile, last month (January) Diriyah Company signed a joint development agreement with Midad Development and Real Estate Investment Company to develop the Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah and Private Residences, a 159-room luxury hotel with accompanying residences, with a total value of $827 million.
Aman Residences, Amansamar ... a timeless retreat at the heart of Wadi Safar.
Residences
Late last year, Diriyah Company launched 239 premium homes in the new Manazel Al Hadawi residential area, the first release of properties planned within its flagship Media and Innovation District.
The new homes will include one-, two- and three-bedroom units and four-bedroom duplex properties, which celebrate Saudi heritage and will benefit both media and technology professionals who will be working in the new district and families looking for a home in Diriyah.
The launch marks the first in what will eventually be more than 18,000 residential properties for over 100,000 residents in Diriyah’s City of Earth that have been inspired by the centuries-old Najdi architectural traditions of the birthplace of the first Saudi state.
New Wadi Safar launch
Meanwhile, Wadi Safar – envisioned as a luxury enclave that complements the broader Diriyah masterplan – will host The Trump International Golf Club, Wadi Safar which is being set up by Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, in collaboration with Dar Global and The Trump Organization. The Trump International Golf Club, Wadi Safar will come up on a sprawling 2.6-million-sq-m area, which will feature a world-class gated community, a Trump-branded championship golf course, a luxury Trump hotel, and premium residences overlooking the region’s dramatic wadis and the golf vistas.
The Chedi, Wadi Safar, an exclusive collection of 20 four- and five-bedroom villas.
Also at Wadi Safar, Diriyah launched Faena Residences Wadi Safar, which comprises 20 exclusive villas that blend Najdi architecture and the iconic Argentine brand seamlessly with the natural landscape, overlooking a Greg Norman-designed golf course.
Among other developments, work is also in progress on the Six Senses Wadi Safar Hotel, which has been designed as an ultra-luxury 80-key resort spread across five hill-top clusters in Saudi Arabia.
Six Senses Wadi Safar Hotel ... more than 11 per cent complete.
Operational assets
The pace and diversity of construction activity at Diriyah place it among the kingdom’s most complex and high-profile live developments. In parallel with construction, operational assets such as At-Turaif, Bujairi Terrace and Wadi Hanifah have already attracted more than 3.6 million visits, demonstrating the project’s ability to deliver functioning destinations while major works continue.
Sustainability standards are embedded across planning and construction, aligned with the Saudi Green Initiative and supported by multiple Mostadam Gold certifications. This approach reflects a growing emphasis on long-term operational performance alongside delivery speed.
Connectivity to Diriyah has too received a major boost with the award of the contract to extend the Red Line of the Riyadh Metro, adding 8.4 km and five new stations to carry the route from King Saud University to the Diriyah Gate development area.