Diriyah announces Media and Innovation District within $63.2bn masterplan
Diriyah has announced a major media and innovation district as it looks to expand creative industries in the region.
Diriyah Company launched its Media and Innovation District at MIPIM in Cannes.
The pioneering, future-focused hub will redefine the technology, media and communications industries by creating a dynamic new ecosystem within Diriyah, encouraging innovation and collaboration between local and global industry leaders.
Diriyah Media and Innovation District in Saudi Arabia
The district will serve as a new home for global media networks, creative agencies, and professionals seeking a collaborative ecosystem with state-of-the-art infrastructure, designed to promote sustainability and provide an exceptional quality of life.
Spanning 250,000sq m of office GFA, the district will feature approximately 450 residential homes, and more than 15,000sq m for retail outlets, and a mix of dining options.
It also includes the 325-room luxury 1 Hotel Diriyah, the first property from the global 1 Hotels brand marking its Middle East debut and designed using sustainable and local resources.
Located near the planned multi-purpose 20,000-seater Diriyah Arena, the Media and Innovation District is a pioneering development in the second phase of Diriyah's urban masterplan.
Designed to host tech giants and innovation hubs that will foster creativity, content creation, digital transformation, and technological advancement, the district has already attracted significant interest from investors and partners, including major international and regional broadcasting companies, as well as industry leaders.
MIPIM 2025 also saw the announcement of another key milestone for Diriyah, the announcement of Armani Residences Diriyah, a 15 limited-edition residences that feature bespoke interiors curated by iconic Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani.
Diriyah Company also showcased key assets and highlighted commercial office leasing opportunities.
Jerry Inzerillo, Diriyah Company Group CEO, said: 'The Media and Innovation District will position Diriyah as a global hub for media production, technological innovation, and creative industries. By leveraging its rich heritage and forward-looking vision, we are cultivating a world-class ecosystem for the brightest minds in these fields.'
'We anticipate a positive response from global industry leaders eager to benefit from the world-class high-tech facilities in an environment that will encourage groundbreaking ideas, technological breakthroughs and creative content.'
The district's office buildings are designed to achieve leading sustainability credentials at every stage, including planning, design, construction, and operation that will incorporate state-of-the-art technologies, and expansive, light-filled workspaces.
Diriyah Company also showcased extensive commercial office leasing opportunities, and investment opportunities within the $63.2bn (SR236b) mixed-use Diriyah masterplan.
This includes 1.6 million sq m of office GFA, 566,000 sq m of retail GFA, more than 40 hotels, 18,000-plus luxury residences featuring a contemporary interpretation of Najdi design, cultural, entertainment, healthcare, sports and other assets.
Developed on the outskirts of Riyadh, Diriyah is one of Saudi Arabia's five giga-projects, backed by the world's fifth largest sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund.
As part of this transformative urban development, Diriyah aims to provide homes for more than 100,000 residents, create an estimated 178,000 jobs, attract 50m annual visits, and contribute a remarkable $18.6bn directly to Saudi Arabia's GDP once completed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
4 days ago
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Armani Celebrates 25 Years Of Its Ultra-Elegant Home Collections
As Armani/Casa turns 25, we celebrate the Italian maison that has been enhancing our homes for a quarter of a century This year marks 25 years since Italian designer Giorgio Armani expanded his brand to include Armani/Casa, exploring design and aesthetics beyond the boundaries of fashion, forever injecting homes with his impeccable style. Over the last two and a half decades, myriad iconic design pieces have found their way into our lives. Perhaps most enduring is the Logo Lamp. Initially designed back in 1982 when Giorgio Armani needed a desk light for his office in Milan, it became an instant staple of the collection when Armani/Casa officially launched in 2000, with many different iterations reimagining the classic to today. Much has taken place since then, with the brand expanding into new areas, such as the Interior Design Studio launched in 2004, Armani/Dada in 2008, which designs functional kitchen interiors, and Armani/Roca, which focuses on design concepts for bathrooms. The Armani/Casa Exclusive Wallcoverings Collection also launched in 2014. And, of course, not forgetting the 2010 opening of Armani Hotel in Dubai's Burj Khalifa District – quickly followed by Armani Hotel near Via Monte Napoleone in Milan the following year; both beacons of refinement drenched in Armani's signature minimalism. In 2017, the brand opened the world's largest retail store in Corso Venezia, and more recently, the Maison launched its first ever collection which is entirely dedicated to the outdoors. From Milan to the world, the brand now has Armani/Casa stores in major cities from Paris and Los Angeles to Tokyo and Shanghai, making it a global success story in its own right. To mark the quarter-century celebration of Armani/Casa – and the 50th anniversary of the era-defining fashion label – the designer launched an all-new collection entitled Oriental Inks. Debuting at Salone del Mobile 2025 in April, and inspired by East Asian artistry and antique craftsmanship, it features intricate, hand-painted pieces and embroidered furnishings – from beds to armchairs and desks – designed with his signature and unparalleled eye for detail. Having just turned 90, there are celebrations all round for Giorgio Armani – a life lived by his own design. With Armani/Casa, it's as if he's built a home to hold those memories.
Al Etihad
4 days ago
- Al Etihad
ALTÉRRA backs Absolute Energy to develop gigawatt-scale renewable energy capacity in Italy
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD) ALTÉRRA, the UAE's $30 billion climate investment vehicle, has announced a €50 million commitment via the ALTÉRRA Acceleration Fund to Absolute Energy, a forward-thinking Italian renewable energy platform. The co-investment, made alongside global infrastructure investment manager I Squared Capital, aims to fast-track the development of an initial 1.4GW active pipeline of projects across Italy. Absolute Energy is focused on the swift deployment of multiple commercially viable small to medium-scale solar projects throughout the country. Through this initial phase — comprising 1.4GW of solar and battery storage capacity — and with a broader development pipeline exceeding 6GW, Absolute Energy is positioned to become a next-generation Independent Power Producer (IPP), advancing Italy's decarbonisation and energy independence objectives. ALTÉRRA estimates that the 1.4GW pipeline could eliminate up to 380,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) emissions annually. Italy has set a national target of adding 46GW of new solar capacity by 2030 in support of its net-zero ambitions. With high solar irradiation levels and favourable policy support, the country presents a compelling opportunity for expanding solar infrastructure. Majid Al Suwaidi, CEO of ALTÉRRA, said: 'We are excited to support Absolute Energy as it enters its next phase of growth. With a strong pipeline and deep sector expertise, the company will help drive Italy's clean energy future. ALTÉRRA invests to accelerate the climate transition through innovative approaches and partnerships. In working with a global leader like I Squared Capital with their strong track record in platform building and investing in renewables, this investment further demonstrates how ALTÉRRA works with partners to invest at scale to accelerate impact across key markets.' Sadek Wahba, Chairman and Managing Partner of I Squared Capital, added: 'We are proud to welcome ALTÉRRA as a strategic partner in Absolute Energy. Their investment underscores the strength of the platform and the scale of the opportunity in accelerating Italy's energy transition. ALTÉRRA brings deep climate focus and ambition, and we share their commitment to deploying capital with urgency and impact. This partnership is a powerful endorsement of Absolute Energy's innovative model and I Squared's long-standing approach to building transformational infrastructure businesses in critical sectors around the world.'
What's On
4 days ago
- What's On
Cala Vista: Could this be one of the best Italian restaurants in Dubai?
When you think you've tried all the best Italian restaurants in Dubai… There are some restaurants you hear about, mentally bookmark, but never make it to – until one day, you finally do. For me, Cala Vista, Mina Al Salam was one of them. It opened last year while I was away. Now that I'm back, I've been slowly catching up on all the spots I missed – and let me tell you, Cala Vista officially landed on my 'can't wait to go back' list. I thought I was just checking out another Italian restaurant – turns out, I was late to one of Dubai's best. I know, I know, Dubai isn't exactly lacking when it comes to Italian restaurants – the creamy burratas and tiramisus – we've seen it all. But every now and then, one stands out – and Cala Vista is one of those places. Why? Let's start with the setting Because whether we mean to or not, most of us are wired to judge with our eyes first – and when the setting is on point, everything else gets an early win. At Cala Vista, you're seated right in front of Burj Al Arab – not in the distance, not peeking through buildings, but in full view. Sure, we've seen it from every angle, but this one still stands out – cinematic, a little surreal, always magical. And when the food lands, the same attention to detail carries through. It looks every bit as good as it tastes. The food While I've had more Italian dinners than I can count, this one had a certain spark. We started with the Burrata Pomodori (Dhs95) – creamy and exactly how you want your burrata to be. Then came the Fritto Misto (Dhs135), perfectly crisp and ideal for sharing. The Insalata di Agrumi (Dhs70) – a citrus salad – added a clean, bright contrast to the richness of the other dishes. For mains, the La Piccant e pizza (Dhs125) brought just the right amount of heat with spicy salami. The Agnolotti (Dhs140) – braised oxtail ravioli with aged balsamic – was a favourite. Rich, warming, and deeply satisfying. The Tagliolini al Limone (Dhs130) a signature dish, with homemade pasta tossed in Parmigiano Reggiano. And if you're going with friends, the La Milanese (Dhs310) is the one to share. We finished with two desserts: Il Limone (Dhs70), a lemon sorbet served inside a hollowed Amalfi lemon. And the Bomboloni (Dhs50), fluffy Italian doughnuts with a chocolate dip – easily a favourite. Vista Brunch If you're into the brunch scene in Dubai and love Italian food, Cala Vista should definitely be on your list. Every Sunday, from 12.30pm to 4pm, Head Chef Luca and restaurant manager Pasquale are hosting the Vista Brunch – an Italian-style lunch inspired by their family Sundays growing up. Expect sharing starters, pasta mains, classic sides, and indulgent desserts. There's live music from a roaming band, making it feel like a true celebration of la dolce vita. Cala Vista, Jumeirah Mina Al Salam, Jumeira St, Al Sufouh 1. Tel: 800 323 232. @calavistadubai Images: Supplied/Instagram > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
