The Mukaab: Huge cube city planned in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has unveiled plans for its latest mega-project – a 400m tall and 400m wide cube city called The Mukaab.

The building, which the Public Investment Fund claims would be large enough to hold 20 Empire State Buildings, will be the centrepiece of a new downtown in Riyadh.

It is part of the wider New Murabba project announced by Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The New Murabba Development Company will oversee the project.

The Mukaab promises to be one of the largest built structures in the world. Inspired by the modern Nadji architectural style, its developers claim that it will be able to offer “ever-changing environments” using digital and virtual technology to create holographics.

The cube will enclose a tower on top of a spiral base and a structure featuring 2 million sq m of floor space that will be a hospitality destination with retail, cultural and tourist attractions. It will also feature residential and hotel units, commercial spaces and recreational facilities.

The wider New Murabba project will feature green areas and walking and cycle paths to promote healthy lifestyles. It will also be home to a museum, technology and design museum, theatre, and more than 80 entertainment and cultural venues.

A visual of the Mukaab in the New Murabba downtown area (Image courtesy of Saudia Arabia PIF)

It will sit at the intersection of King Salman and King Khalid roads to the north west of Riyadh, over an area of 19 sq km. The plan involves building 104,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, 980,000 sq m of retail space, and 1.4 million sq m of office space. There will also be 1.8 million sq m of space dedicated to community facilities.

New Murabba promises living, working and entertainment spaces within a 15-minute walking radius, with a 20-minute drive to the airport.

The entire project is due for completion by 2030.