When simplicity merges with grandeur, the world can’t help but take notice. And when the ambitious Saudi Crown Prince MBS is involved, there is no shortage of the grandiose. That is precisely what Saudi Arabia‘s next giga-project aims for, a simple cube-shaped skyscraper, standing 400 meters tall, that could hold 20 Empire State Buildings within its hollow structure. Positioned to become the largest built structure in the world, the Mukaab will be located in New Murabba, a community in Riyadh. With an astonishing 2 million square meters of floor space, this architectural marvel will host immersive shopping, dining, and cultural experiences. To put its scale into perspective, it offers more than three times the floor space of the Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Defense’s headquarters in Virginia which is currently the second-largest office building in the world.
More than just a building, the Mukaab represents an innovative way of living. New Murabba Development Co. has already excavated over 10 million cubic meters to prepare for its construction. The Mukaab, which will cover 400 meters by 400 meters, the size of 25 city blocks, aims to serve as a business and entertainment hub, accessible via major roadways. Contracts worth tens of billions of SAR will be awarded to companies helping bring this vision to life, transforming Mukaab into a hub of unmatched entertainment, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and even a 45,000-seat stadium.
As Saudi Arabia pursues projects like The Line in Neom and other megaprojects, the kingdom is poised to become the world’s largest construction market. According to Bloomberg, real estate consultancy Knight Frank reported that Saudi Arabia has launched projects valued at over $1.25 trillion. While Neom has garnered much attention, Mukaab, the world’s first fully enclosed skyscraper, is set to become the new focal point, especially as New Murabba’s first phase is expected to be completed by 2030.
The Mukaab will feature a striking exterior, inspired by traditional Najdi architecture, with interlocking triangles. Inside, it will house a 500-room hotel and showcase 10 unique attractions, including a dome displaying holographic images, allowing guests to experience different parts of the world. Set to transform Riyadh’s skyline, the 19-square-kilometer district of New Murabba will also create 104,000 new homes, reshaping downtown Riyadh with 25 million square meters of floor area.
