
MBC to build new headquarters in Diriyah's Media and Innovation District
RIYADH — MBC Group has signed a land transfer agreement with Diriyah Company to develop its new regional headquarters in Diriyah, marking a major step in Saudi Arabia's efforts to become a global media and cultural hub.
The new headquarters will serve as a center for content production, creative innovation, and entertainment, positioning MBC in the heart of Diriyah's emerging Media and Innovation District.
The agreement includes plans to construct advanced studios, corporate offices, and an immersive visitor experience center.
The development forms part of the broader Diriyah giga-project, a $18.6 billion initiative aimed at transforming Diriyah into one of the world's premier cultural destinations.
Once complete, the project will include world-class venues such as the Royal Diriyah Opera House and Diriyah Arena, along with luxury hotels, restaurants, retail districts, and educational institutions.
Commenting on the agreement, Minister of Tourism and Secretary General of Diriyah Company, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, described the partnership as a 'powerful statement of intent,' underscoring Saudi Arabia's ambition to become a global center for storytelling and creative exchange.
MBC Group Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim said the new headquarters will support the Kingdom's strategic vision to elevate the media and entertainment sector. 'This move strengthens our commitment to local content creation and positions MBC as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's creative industries,' he said.
Mike Sneesby, CEO of MBC Group, emphasized the project's alignment with MBC's long-term goals, noting: 'We are proud to be part of Diriyah's evolution into a world-class cultural capital. Our new complex will be a space where creativity, content, and talent thrive.'
Diriyah Company CEO Jerry Inzerillo welcomed MBC as the first flagship tenant of the Media and Innovation District launched earlier this year, highlighting the project's role in attracting top-tier talent and industry players across media, technology, and the arts.
The designated land plot will be developed under a comprehensive Development Works Agreement.
The move follows MBC's earlier expansion milestones, including the launch of studios in Al Narjis in 2024 and the opening of its headquarters in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter in 2022. The group currently employs more than 2,000 staff across its platforms. — SG
© Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
39 minutes ago
- Zawya
Saudi: Amwaj launches ultra-luxury development in Meydan
Saudi Arabia - Amwaj Development, a key real estate developer in Dubai, has unveiled its landmark project - Gate Eleven Residences - thus redefining luxury living in Mohammed Bin Rashid (MBR) District 11 at Meydan. This third and most ambitious project marks a new chapter in the company's rapidly expanding portfolio, which is set to deliver over 2.5 million square feet of premium residential space by 2026. Strategically positioned just minutes from Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Mall, and Dubai International Airport, with direct connectivity to Al Ain Road, Gate Eleven is an oasis of refined living amidst the city's vibrant heartbeat, said the developer. Overlooking pristine lagoons and green parklands, it offers both tranquillity and accessibility in one of Dubai's most sought-after residential districts. According to Amwaj, the Gate Eleven features a curated collection of elegant one- and two-bedroom apartments across a low-rise six-floor layout. Designed for both families and individuals, each unit boasts premium finishes, expansive layouts and integrated smart home technology for seamless control of lighting, climate, and security. The project's community-centric design reflects Amwaj's vision for building dynamic, connected neighbourhoods that foster both wellness and social connection. "Gate Eleven represents our most ambitious project to date, and it is a testament to our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of Dubai's growing luxury real estate market," said Emad Saleh, Chairman of Amwaj Development. "We believe this development will provide residents with a truly exceptional lifestyle while also solidifying Amwaj Development as a trusted name in Dubai's real estate market known for delivering quality and value," he stated. With over AED500 million ($136 million) invested in the past two years, Amwaj Development is targeting a milestone of AED1 billion ($272 million) by 2026. The company has three new project launches planned for 2025, reinforcing its commitment to thoughtful expansion and design-led innovation. Its first two developments, Starlight Park and The Cube Residences, achieved record sell-outs with early handovers planned, collectively valued at over AED400 million. "We are thrilled to launch Gate Eleven as a continuation of our vision to elevate the standard of modern living in Dubai," said its CEO Murad Saleh. "Our commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovative design is reflected in every aspect of this project, and we are confident it will set new benchmarks for luxury living in Meydan," he stated. Amwaj Development COO Aida El Shahabi said: "At Amwaj, we aim to create communities that are not just about luxury but about elevating the overall living experience." "Gate Eleven integrates state-of-the-art technology with timeless design to offer residents a smart, convenient, and elegant lifestyle. We are excited to introduce this project as the future of living in Meydan," he stated. As an inaugural offer, Amwaj is offering an investor-friendly and attractive 50/50 payment plan for the project, with 50% due during construction and the remaining 50% on handover, which is scheduled for Q4 2027. With starting prices from AED1.2 million onwards for a one-bedroom unit, Gate Eleven presents a rare opportunity for end-users and investors seeking strong ROI and long-term value in a thriving luxury market, said the developer. Residents of Gate Eleven will benefit from a thoughtfully curated suite of lifestyle and wellness offerings, including an infinity pool, gym, sauna, table tennis, boxing studio, yoga studio, lobby lounge, kids area in addition to restaurant, pharmacy, wellness centre and market, it stated. Amwaj has signed up Zed Capital Real Estate for the project as its exclusive strategic sales and property management partner. Headed by renowned property expert Zeina Khoury, Zed Capital brings deep industry expertise and full-spectrum real estate services ranging from registration and SPA processing to leasing, snagging, handover coordination, and long-term property management. "With a client-first approach and market-leading knowledge, Zed Capital ensures every stage of the buyer journey is managed with precision and care, stated Saleh. "We're proud to have them represent Gate Eleven in the market," he added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Innovation, expansion, IPO: SMC Healthcare's Bassam Chahine charts its ambitious growth
Image: Supplied As Saudi Arabia intensifies efforts to diversify its economy under Vision 2030, the healthcare sector emerges as a pivotal focus. The company recently initiated plans for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Saudi stock exchange, collaborating with banks such as EFG Hermes and SNB Capital to facilitate the process. This strategic move aims to bolster SMC's expansion, including the development of three new hospitals in northern Riyadh, thereby more than doubling its current bed capacity. In this interview with Gulf Business , CEO Bassam Chahine discusses the company's growth strategy, digital innovations, and its alignment with the kingdom's evolving healthcare landscape. SMC's IPO marks a major milestone in your 25-year journey. What strategic goals are you looking to achieve through this listing, and how does it support your expansion into Northern Riyadh? The IPO is a natural evolution of our 25-year legacy in Riyadh and marks a pivotal chapter in our growth journey. Since launching as a single-day surgery centre, we have transformed into one of the leading multi-specialty healthcare providers in the kingdom. This listing will allow us to accelerate our expansion plans, particularly in Northern Riyadh — one of the capital's fastest-growing corridors. Our three new hospitals are strategically locate in rapidly developing neighbourhoods tied to giga-projects such as New Murabba, NHC suburbs and North Pole. Once operational, they will more than double our capacity to over 1,275 beds, significantly strengthening our footprint in Riyadh's fastest-growing healthcare corridor. The IPO will help us execute this roadmap efficiently, ensuring we are well positioned to meet future demand and remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery in the capital. Read: With three new hospitals under development and the capacity set to more than double, how is SMC preparing to meet the operational demands and talent needs of this significant scale-up? We are scaling with discipline. We have centralised key operational functions such as revenue cycle management, procurement, HR, and IT, which reduces overhead duplication as we grow. From an infrastructure perspective, we've invested early in systems and workflows that allow us to integrate new facilities seamlessly. On the talent front, SMC Healthcare has a long-standing reputation for attracting world-class clinicians and specialists. Our fixed salary model incentivises long-term commitment, and we complement this with robust professional development programmes. We are also investing in automation and AI tools to streamline clinical and administrative processes, which allows our staff to focus on patient care. The company has posted impressive financial performance, with profit margins more than doubling in three years. What are the key levers driving this growth, and how do you plan to sustain it post-IPO? Our margin expansion—from 5.3 per cent in 2021 to 12.9 per cent in 2024 — has been driven by three deliberate strategic levers. First, we've shifted away from long-term care to higher-margin acute specialties like cardiology, orthopedics, and pediatrics. Second, we've doubled down on outpatient services, which are more scalable and structurally profitable. Third, our digital infrastructure — including our proprietary mobile app and AI-integrated systems, has improved operational efficiency across the board. Post-IPO, we will continue this strategy by optimising our specialty mix, driving higher patient volumes through new outpatient clinics, and maintaining a lean, tech-enabled operating model. As our new hospitals are coming online, we expect to unlock further operating leverage. SMC has embraced AI, digital tools, and telemedicine early. How central is digital transformation to your patient care model and competitive edge in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape? Digital transformation is integral to our care model and a key differentiator for SMC. Our in-house developed mobile app has over 83,000 users and accounts for 62 per cent of bookings. It handles everything from registration, payments, online check in up to prescription access. This has halved patient waiting times and improved patient throughput. We are also among the first in the kingdom to integrate AI into diagnostics and lab result interpretation. This enhances diagnostic accuracy, speeds up clinical workflows, and supports personalised care delivery. Our tech-first approach not only boosts operational efficiency but ensures that we continue to lead in patient experience, which is increasingly central to competitive healthcare. With the kingdom's Vision 2030 pushing public-private healthcare partnerships, how do you see SMC's role evolving in this new ecosystem — and what opportunities do you see beyond Riyadh? Vision 2030 is unlocking significant opportunities for private healthcare providers. We're already a frontrunner — SMC Healthcare was selected as the preferred bidder to operate the kingdom's first mental health facility under a PPP model in partnership with Dr Ebel Kliniken, and HealthGate. This underscores our capability and credibility as a strategic partner to the government. Our immediate focus remains Riyadh, where demand continues to surge. Northern Riyadh alone will need thousands of new hospital beds by 2035. We're addressing this head-on by becoming the largest private operator in that region. That said, the PPP framework opens new doors across the kingdom — and when the time is right, we will evaluate opportunities in other high-growth cities with the same disciplined, data-driven approach that has defined our growth so far.


Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
Saudi: Kidana completes first phase of tent project in Mina
Saudi-based Kidana Development Company, the executive arm of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites, has successfully completed the first phase of its double-storey tent project at Mina in the Makkah province, representing approximately 75% of the total project carried out in partnership with the private sector. The project is part of a comprehensive development plan designed to enrich the pilgrim experience, increase capacity, and improve the quality of accommodation services in Mina, thus ensuring a comfortable and safe residential environment for pilgrims, said a statement from Kidana. The first phase, developed in collaboration with a national company, covers more than 20,000 sq m and includes over 40 buildings equipped with more than 550 restrooms. The construction was completed in approximately 100 days using various techniques that accelerated implementation and delivered robust, flexible solutions capable of withstanding weather fluctuations, it stated. During the Hajj season, approximately 8,000 pilgrims from various Hajj packages, both domestic and international, are expected to use the site, it added. According to Kidana, this limited deployment will serve as a critical test of the project's effectiveness and its suitability for meeting the diverse needs of pilgrims, potentially paving the way for expansion across the holy sites. The full project is scheduled for completion by next year's Hajj season, with an expected capacity of up to 20,000 pilgrims. The double-storey tent initiative is set to significantly enhance the quality of accommodation services in the holy sites, enriching the pilgrim experience by providing a safe and organized residential environment that supports their well-being and meets diverse needs. It will also create an optimal setting for performing rituals with ease and peace, contributing to greater pilgrim satisfaction and promoting sustainable, efficient land use, it added.