Deeper partnerships, tech alliances, and governance milestones power Riyadh’s giga-district.
As Editor of Saudi Projects Digital Magazine, I’m pleased to share a deeper dive into the forces shaping New Murabba, Riyadh’s modern downtown powered by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). Beyond headline-grabbing renders, the district is now defined by concrete progress on site, world-class architectural and experience-design partners, and a tightening technology and governance framework that positions the project for delivery under Vision 2030.
Architectural & experience partners
New Murabba Development Company (NMDC) has appointed Arup as lead designer for the New Murabba Stadium, a signature multi-use venue planned as part of the wider district. Arup’s scope spans design, advisory, planning, and operational optimization, aligning the stadium with leading sustainability and smart-operations practices. External reporting places capacity at about 45,000 seats.
For the Mukaab, the 400m x 400m x 400m centerpiece, NMDC signed a long-term strategic agreement with Falcon’s Creative Group to craft the building’s immersive experiences, signaling a destination built on narrative, media, and large-format themed innovation rather than structure alone. The agreement was announced after major enabling works on site.
Technology stack & mobility inside the icon
In July 2025, ALAT (a PIF company) and NMDC signed an MoU to integrate advanced technology solutions for the Mukaab and broader district covering smart mobility, next-generation vertical transportation (elevators/escalators), and potential localization of hardware production and R&D in the Kingdom. This partnership strengthens the project’s “smart city” backbone while aligning with national industrial goals.
At district level, New Murabba’s own materials emphasize AI-enabled urban management, open-data approaches, and low-carbon infrastructure across energy, recycling, and waste systems, translating “smart” into operational efficiency and resident experience rather than a label. The master plan calls for 25% green space integrated with wadis and micro-mobility, supporting walkability and heat-mitigation.
Governance & delivery readiness
In August 2025, NMDC achieved ISO 31022:2020 certification for legal risk management, signaling institutional maturity in compliance, control frameworks, and risk governance, the kind of back-office rigor that de-risks procurement, contracting, and partner management across a multi-billion-dollar pipeline.
Progress on the ground
NMDC reports the completion of excavation at the Mukaab site with over 14 million cubic meters of earth removed, an enabling milestone that moves the project from groundworks toward structural phases. These works underpin the forthcoming architecture and systems integration noted above.
Investment, cost & objectives
New Murabba is a PIF-backed giga-project designed to catalyze non-oil growth, attract global firms, and deliver a high-amenity, 15-minute urban environment. The New Murabba project is estimated to be worth around $50 billion in total investment. The Mukaab remains targeted for delivery by 2030, in line with the Vision 2030 horizon; district build-out will phase with market demand and major-event timelines.
Capacity & features at a glance
- Mukaab: 400m-cubed mixed-use icon with immersive destinations and advanced vertical mobility concepts under exploration via ALAT.
- Stadium: Arup-led design; approximately 45,000 seats; multi-use, tech-forward operations strategy.
- Public realm: 25% green space, pedestrian-first networks, AI-enabled city operations.
- Governance: ISO 31022 certification for legal risk management.
What this means for partners and investors
The combination of a PIF-anchored capital structure, delivery-ready siteworks, named design and experience partners, and a formalized tech pipeline (ALAT) sends a clear signal: procurement packages will be backed by governance standards and a maturing scope, improving bankability and execution certainty for contractors, OEMs, and service providers. Expect upcoming RFPs to emphasize lifecycle performance (OPEX), digital twins, and embodied-carbon reductions alongside schedule and cost.
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