(MENAFN- Mid-East.Info) Riyadh: Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) officially unveils its vision for Diriyah Square, the commercial heart of its 190 Billion SAR [50 Billion USD] Diriyah giga-project on the edge of Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – scheduled to be open by 2024.
Bringing together wonderful experiences for young and old, Diriyah Square is the gathering place of the Diriyah masterplan hosting 450+ of the world's finest global retail brands, complemented by an additional 100 authentic local Saudi artisan souks. The district will deliver a complete lifestyle offering; from leisure and entertainment, ultra-luxurious hotels, and places to work and live – all within an iconic destination steeped in heritage, culture, and promise. Diriyah is the Birthplace of the Kingdom, centered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, and is the site of the First Saudi State.
Diriyah Square provides an uncompromisingly bold destination, breaking the status quo and setting it apart from the traditional retail competitors. Looking beyond the vision of Diriyah Square, DGDA will partner with leading international brands to ensure their expectations are exceeded.
Diriyah Square's vision rests on three key values: Authenticity, Future and Place.
AUTHENTICITY – The Diriyah Square project will faithfully apply timeless Najdi-inspired architecture and design principles, which no other project of this scale has ever done before. This will ensure the project is immediately recognizable and provides a distinct proposition for the region while remaining true to the Kingdom's heritage and vision.
FUTURE – Diriyah Square is a bold and ambitious project – creating an exciting future whilst being anchored by the past. Underpinned by state of the art infrastructure, above and below ground, a thriving Najd village will deliver an urban, walkable city set to be a legacy for generations to come.
PLACE – Placemaking is central to the success at Diriyah Square, and the project is bringing together wonderful opportunities for all in a uniquely liveable place. It presents everything from a predominantly open-air, authentic streetscape of inviting laneways, open-air courtyards, and souks, to the delivery of a thriving day and night-time economy. It will be home to a diverse range of extraordinary experiences where locals and travellers will make their very own life long memories.
With construction well underway, scheduled to open in 2024 and situated 15 minutes north-west of Riyadh's city centre, the Diriyah Square district will be steeped in culture and heritage. The long-term goals and expectations of the project aim to celebrate the local community, elevating the social, cultural, and historical context, connecting with the roots of the Saudi heritage, and creating solid foundations on which to build the best possible future for the community.
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO, DGDA commented:“Since its foundation in 2017, DGDA has been attracting the world's most experienced real estate professionals to Saudi Arabia and Diriyah for the project. The development supports the Kingdom's Vision 2030, a roadmap drawn up by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to create a vibrant society and thriving economy. Diriyah Square has crafted a collection of the finest culture, hospitality, retail, leisure and entertainment assets. The project is set to become one of the world's greatest gathering places, all in the vibrant heart of authentic Diriyah.”
Jonathan Timms, President of Diriyah Development Company, a subsidiary of DGDA, added:“Diriyah Square is one of the most extraordinary projects being developed in the world today, and we are thrilled to cultivate such a compelling opportunity for retailers, brands and operators to call Diriyah Square home. We are going the extra mile to ensure we provide the best location for ambitious brands, collaborating to create exceptional customer experiences. This one of a kind project will present over 400 of the finest retail brands from across the Kingdom and around the world in an authentic and intimate environment of streets and squares, whilst we protect and celebrate the distinctive character of Diriyah.”
Construction on Diriyah Square commenced in 2019 and it is on schedule to be completed ahead of a 2024 opening.
About Diriyah Square :
Opening 2024 on the western edge of Riyadh, the iconic Diriyah Square is a completely new and inspired collection of the finest in culture, hospitality, retail, leisure and entertainment. This unique project gathers together over 400 of the finest brands from across the Kingdom and around the world in an exceptional, authentic and intimate environment of streets and squares.
Riyadh's population is just over 7 million people, making it the largest city in the GCC by more than 2 million, with an expected population growth to 15-20 million by 2030.
About Diriyah :
Diriyah is set to become Saudi Arabia's foremost historical, cultural and lifestyle destination.
As part of the Kingdom's 2030 Vision, seven square kilometres of Diriyah will be transformed into one of the world's foremost historic tourism destinations.
Diriyah is located within Riyadh province, just 15 minutes north-west of Riyadh's city center. It is recognized as a symbolic center of inspiration for the generations of leaders that have led the Kingdom since the foundation of the first Saudi Arabian state in 1744.
As the renewed cultural and historic capital of the nation, Diriyah will be designed and built with Saudi traditions and heritage in mind. The mixed-use traditional urban community will be created in an authentic Najdi architectural style, typical of Saudi villages of centuries past. Sitting at the cultural heart of Diriyah lies the historic city of At-Turaif. Built in 1766, At-Turaif is recognized as one of the world's foremost mud-brick cities. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, it is today set to become one of the nation's must-see historic destinations.
With cultural and lifestyle experiences at its heart, Diriyah will be enriched by entertainment, learning, shopping, dining, hospitality, residential and workplace offerings. On completion, it will be home to a population of 100,000 residents, workers, students, and visitors and will celebrate the rich cultural history of Saudi Arabia.
The development will feature an array of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential areas, including 38 hotels, a diverse collection of museums, a bustling retail heart and over 100 places to dine. The existing Bujairi area will soon be home to Riyadh's new premium dining hub, enjoying uninterrupted views of At-Turaif; and the 141-key Samhan Heritage Hotel. Wadi Hanifah, a two square kilometer space accessible from the escarpment walk, will provide passive and active recreational spaces and boutique hospitality venues; places to unwind and spend the afternoon with family and friends in the beautiful wadi surroundings.
About Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) :
Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) was established in July 2017 to preserve Diriyah's history, celebrate its community and develop the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of At-Turaif into one of the world's greatest gathering places at the heart of Saudi Arabian culture and heritage.
We are focused on the protection and preservation of the Kingdom's history including the stories of our forefathers as well as our physical heritage. In line with design, development and preservation standards, DGDA will create an environment that enhances Diriyah's historic, national and international relevance including the preservation of At-Turaif.
DGDA is transforming Diriyah into one of the region's foremost destinations for cultural knowledge-sharing activities and international events. We aspire to develop Diriyah into a global gathering place by creating rich experiences that narrate the stories of our history, instilling a sense of Saudi Arabian pride and creating globally renowned destinations and landmarks. The Authority is ensuring Diriyah's cultural landmarks are complemented by leading hospitality brands, fine dining experiences and world-class retail offerings.
We are devoted to enabling the people of Diriyah to achieve their goals. DGDA will celebrate the local community, showing social, cultural, and historical achievements, connecting with the roots of the Saudi state and creating solid foundations on which to build the best possible future for the community.
DGDA works alongside Diriyah's executive bodies, as the primary regulator for the supervisory area (190sqkm) and will exercise best practice in Land Management and Building Permit and License issuance and oversight.
About Diriyah Development Company
Diriyah Development Company (DevCo) is a subsidiary entity within DGDA which is responsible for the design, development, and delivery aspects of the project. It was set up in 2021 as part of the authority's growth acceleration plans, with the new structure helping DGDA to prepare for imminent and expedited expansion.
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