Saudi Arabia has launched construction on The Mukaab, a colossal 400-meter cube-shaped building in Riyadh that, once completed, will stand as the world’s largest structure. The skyscraper will occupy two million square meters, making it twenty times the floor space of New York’s Empire State Building.

Saudi Arabia: A bold vision for new Murabba District

With an estimated cost of $50 billion, The Mukaab will serve as the crown jewel of Riyadh’s upcoming New Murabba district. This extensive urban development will span 25 million square meters and provide 104,000 homes, as well as spaces for retail, corporate, and cultural experiences, aiming to establish itself as a vibrant center of business and leisure.

Designed for premium hospitality and innovation

Designed as a “premium hospitality destination,” The Mukaab will feature an expansive central atrium and a cutting-edge, multi-purpose design catering to diverse sectors and attracting both local and global visitors. Saudi Arabia’s New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), under the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is managing the project as part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and infrastructure innovation initiatives.

Though cube-shaped buildings are rare due to spatial inefficiency, Saudi Arabia has consistently pursued ambitious architectural feats. Notable examples include the Jeddah Tower, once envisioned as the world’s tallest skyscraper before construction halted in 2018, and The Line, a proposed 170-kilometer mirrored city in the desert, which has been scaled back to 2.4 kilometers for the time being.

Focused on innovation and sustainability

The New Murabba district is designed to “seamlessly blend technology, innovation, and sustainability.” According to project leaders, it aims to become a “centre of progress, creativity, and entrepreneurship,” celebrating natural beauty and Saudi Arabia’s authentic cultural heritage while setting a new standard in urban development.