Diriyah Opera House awards $1.4bn contract to build iconic theatre in Saudi Arabia
Diriyah Company has signed a $1.4bn (SR5.1bn) contract for the development of its iconic Royal Diriyah Opera House.
The joint venture is signed with:
El Seif Engineering Contracting Co (ESEC)
Midmac Construction Co
China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC)
The high-profile contract is the latest in a series of major project announcements made during the first quarter of 2025 as Diriyah Company continues its development program for Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Royal Diriyah Opera House in Saudi Arabia
Diriyah Company's Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo signed the agreement with the three joint venture companies during a formal ceremony to mark this latest milestone in Diriyah's ongoing construction momentum.
The opera house will become Diriyah's flagship performing arts venue and a major architectural landmark, setting new benchmarks for cultural performances in Saudi Arabia.
With a capacity of 2,000 people, the main opera theatre will be the largest in Saudi Arabia and the focal point of the venue that will be managed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City.
The Royal Diriyah Opera House will also include a studio theatre, shaded rooftop amphitheatre and multipurpose halls taking the total seating capacity to 3,100 seats.
It is the latest in a series of major announcements in 2025 including:
The launch of the high-profile Media and Innovation District at MIPIM in Cannes
Awarding a $113.6m (SR426.3m) architecture and design contract to Omrania, the Kingdom Tower architects, for buildings around Diriyah's main iconic avenue
Awarding key electricity sub stations contracts by the Saudi Electric Company with a combined value of $310.9m (SR1.2bn)
The appointment of Giza Systems as the delivery partner for Diriyah's Smart City initiative
The selection of IBM Maximo Application Suite to monitor and manage assets across Diriyah to enhance its Smart City capabilities
The launch of Saudi Arabia's first Armani branded residences
The opening of Taleed – globally renowned chef Michael Mina's first Michelin-starred restaurant in Saudi Arabia at the 134-room hotel Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection
The opera house has been designed by renowned Norwegian architects Snøhetta Oslo AS and will feature a contemporary Najdi aesthetic, using materials such as palm, stone, and earth.
The design will prioritise sustainability, incorporating water conservation, natural lighting, strategic building orientation, and thermal comfort measures.
The design and engineering team supporting Snohetta includes Schlaich Bergermann Partner on structures and facades, Buro Happold and Saudi Diyar on MEP, Theatre Projects as theatre consultants and acousticians, JLL as cost consultants and supported by Plan A design management.
Set to become an international theatrical powerhouse, the Royal Diriyah Opera House will help to anchor Diriyah's place as the Kingdom's cultural epicenter and a globally competitive destination for the arts.
It positions Diriyah as a key player in shaping the future of performance and cultural infrastructure.
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, said: 'The Royal Diriyah Opera House will be a landmark asset at Diriyah that will reinforce Diriyah's growing global role in shaping Saudi Arabia's artistic and cultural future, aligned with Vision 2030.
'This contract demonstrates our progress, building a diverse range of assets across the Diriyah development area.
'This beautiful, iconic asset will play a vital role in bringing people together in of the world's greatest gathering places to experience unforgettable performances.'
Khalid Alhazani, Executive Vice President of Riyadh Life Sector, Royal Commission for Riyadh City added: 'This agreement marks a major milestone in building this world-class operatic venue. We are excited to have the opportunity to welcome the world's leading operatic and artistic talent in the future and ensure that the Royal Diriyah Opera House can incubate and empower the wonderful range of homegrown talent we have in the Kingdom.'
Backed by the Public Investment Fund, Diriyah is an integrated urban development project that will, once completed, provide homes for over 100,000 residents, office space for tens of thousands of professionals in the technology, media, arts and education sectors, create an estimated 178,000 jobs, attract 50m annual visits, and contribute $18.6bn (SR70bn) directly to Saudi Arabia's GDP.
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