Latest news with #GilesPendleton
New York Post
22-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Saudi Arabia's ambitious $500B ‘The Line' development is getting a reality check — and going under a microscope
Saudi Arabia's plan to build a mirrored 'landscraper' city is now under the microscope. The wealthy Middle Eastern country is endeavoring to build a 105-mile linear city taller than the Empire State Building, but there may be recalibrations ahead. The kingdom recently tapped consultants to review the feasibility of their futuristic plans, insiders told Bloomberg. The Line was announced in 2017 as a zero-carbon city built between two glass skyscrapers. The lean metropolis, located in Saudi Arabia's northwestern desert, is designed to rise 1,600 feet high and house 9 million people. Advertisement Sci-fi-like renderings show networks of towers, walkways, an artificial river, hanging greenery and an end-to-end high speed rail. The car-less, road-less metropolis will cost an estimated $500 billion. 6 A rendering of the 105-mile Line as it reaches the coast. NEOM/AFP via Getty Images 6 A handout picture shows the design plan for the interior of the zero-carbon city. NEOM/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 6 The Line is slated for completion in 2030, but experts are skeptical. NEOM/AFP via Getty Images The Line's sheer scale and high-tech surveillance infrastructure generated controversy from the beginning. The country's economic minister reaffirmed its ambitious 2030 completion deadline amid public scrutiny last year, but outside experts have proposed timelines closer to five decades. The Line is just one piece of a hyper-futuristic desert complex called Neom. The sprawling development project, funded from the coffers of Saudi Arabia's oil-rich sovereign wealth fund, plays into Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 — an effort to move its economy away from dependency on oil revenues. A unit of the country's public investment fund recently tapped consulting firms to take a look at plans for The Line, with a likely eye towards cost and feasibility. Advertisement 6 A satellite image of Neom construction progress. Gallo Images via Getty Images Neom, in a statement to Bloomberg, pointed out that strategic reviews of large developments are commonplace. 'The Line remains a strategic priority and Neom is focused on maintaining operational continuity, improving efficiencies and accelerating progress to match the overall vision and objectives of the project,' the statement said. But the move comes amid global scrutiny of the wealthy country's radical infrastructure agenda and pressures on public finances. The ambitious pet project of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was pitched at a time when the country was on better financial footing. The Saudi budget deficit grew in 2024 as the price of oil fell below what was needed to balance its budget. Advertisement 6 The Line's ambitious timeline or massive scale may need to be recalibrated. NEOM/AFP via Getty Images 6 An aerial view of construction on The Line in Neom. Giles Pendleton, The Line at NEOM While Neom and The Line could proceed as planned, it's possible that this strategic review will result in a smaller scale and a longer timeline. Job cuts are currently planned across Neom, one anonymous consultant told CNBC. But whether or not the cost proves too high, or the technology too ambitious, the work continues. The construction site of The Line is currently dotted with cranes, pile drivers, a new road and tracks for a high-speed rail system.
Metro
21-07-2025
- Business
- Metro
Plans for £1,200,000,000,000 city stretching 105 miles just got a heck of a lot less ambitious
Saudi Arabia 's £1.2 trillion plan to revolutionise the way people live is being re-evaluated to see if it's even possible. The Line, a futuristic city in the desert, was meant to transform the sands into a solar-powered city of 9 million people across a 105-mile stretch of mirror-clad skyscrapers from the mountains to the Red Sea. Some 1.5 million of these inhabitants were supposed to be settled by 2030, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hoped it would rival the pyramids of Egypt as an icon of timeless grandiosity. But this week, the project has entered a new phase of evaluation. External consultants are reportedly in talks to see if the project is still feasible. After pouring millions into the project, the country might have to take a step back as the price of oil fell, increasing the country's deficit. In a statement, a spokesperson for Neom explained: 'As is typical with large-scale, multiyear projects, strategic reviews are common practice and occur several times over the course of a major development project or infrastructure program. 'The Line remains a strategic priority and Neom is focused on maintaining operational continuity, improving efficiencies and accelerating progress to match the overall vision and objectives of the project.' Previously, one investor started to dismiss people working on the site, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. Further employee dismissals on the project could happen if Saudi continues to reckon with its current financial situation. It comes as last year, Giles Pendleton, COO for The Line, shared images of The Line to check 'naysayers' who doubted the plans would ever become reality. If the city is created, it would become the most densely populated place on earth, seven times more cramped than Singapore or Hong Kong. Such a scale-back has rattled those constructing an AI oasis for the uber-rich. These include an eight-sided port and an industrial city floating on the Red Sea right at the edge of Neom. Another lavish investment is the luxury tourist island of Sindalah, also made by Neom, which boasts a global yachting hub. But the kingdom's Public Investment Fund is yet to approve this year's budget for Neom's city and its tech revolution. Announced in 2021, the vision for Neom – also known as The Line – is a city full of green spaces, free of cars and with all your daily needs within a five-minute walk. More than 100 million cubic metres of sand have already been moved as contractors excavate a 75-mile canyon in the desert. Through the middle will run a tree-lined canal between the towering lines of skyscrapers. There'll be a marina for its residents' superyachts, a members-only beach club, a luxury golf resort, and a sports stadium 1,000ft above ground. As if that wasn't enough pampered living, there'll even be a network of robots and AI to make their lives even easier. Issues with the proposed mega-city Despite claims that the hanging glass apartments will 'offer points of connection between humans and nature', critics have accused Neom of posing a threat to both people and animals. Tribes have been cleared to make way for its construction. Security forces have been accused of shooting dead a resident. And bird experts warn it will be a 'death trap' for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa each year. 'Birds flying into tall windows is a serious problem, and this is a building that is 500m high going across Saudi Arabia, with windmills on top,' Professor William Sutherland, director of research in Cambridge University's zoology department, told The Times. 'It's also kind of like a mirror, so you don't really see it. So unless they do something about it, there's a serious risk that there could be lots of damage to migratory birds.' That's if the futuristic plans ever become more than just a line in the sand. check our news page.
Metro
21-07-2025
- Business
- Metro
Why plans for a £1,200,000,000,000 'mirror city' might be a bit too ambitious
Saudi Arabia's £1.2 trillion plan to revolutionise the way people live is being re-evaluated to see if it's even possible. The Line, a futuristic city in the desert, was meant to transform the sands into a solar-powered city of 9,000,000 people across a 105-mile stretch of mirror-clad skyscrapers from the mountains to the Red Sea. Some 1,500,000 of these inhabitants were supposed to be settled by 2030, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hoped it would rival the pyramids of Egypt as an icon of timeless grandiosity. But this week, the project has entered a new phase of evaluation. External consultants are reportedly in talks to see if the project is still feasible. After pouring millions into the project, the country might have to take a step back as the price of oil fell, increasing the country's deficit. In a statement, a spokesperson for Neom explained: 'As is typical with large-scale, multiyear projects, strategic reviews are common practice and occur several times over the course of a major development project or infrastructure program. 'The Line remains a strategic priority and Neom is focused on maintaining operational continuity, improving efficiencies and accelerating progress to match the overall vision and objectives of the project.' Previously, one investor started to dismiss people working on the site, according to a document seen by Bloomberg. Further employee dismissals on the project could happen if Saudi continues to reckon with its current financial situation. It comes as last year, Giles Pendleton, COO for The Line, shared images of The Line to check 'naysayers' who doubted the plans would ever become reality. If the city is created, it would become the most densely populated place on earth, seven times more cramped than Singapore or Hong Kong. Such a scale-back has rattled those constructing an AI oasis for the uber-rich. These include an eight-sided port and an industrial city floating on the Red Sea right at the edge of Neom. Another lavish investment is the luxury tourist island of Sindalah, also made by Neom, which boasts a global yachting hub. But the kingdom's Public Investment Fund is yet to approve this year's budget for Neom's city and its tech revolution. Announced in 2021, the vision for Neom – also known as The Line – is a city full of green spaces, free of cars and with all your daily needs within a five-minute walk. More than 100,000,000 cubic metres of sand have already been moved as contractors excavate a 75-mile canyon in the desert. Through the middle will run a tree-lined canal between the towering lines of skyscrapers. There'll be a marina for its residents' superyachts, a members-only beach club, a luxury golf resort, and a sports stadium 1,000ft above ground. As if that wasn't enough pampered living, there'll even be a network of robots and AI to make their lives even easier. Despite claims that the hanging glass apartments will 'offer points of connection between humans and nature', critics have accused Neom of posing a threat to both people and animals. Tribes have been cleared to make way for its construction. Security forces have been accused of shooting dead a resident. More Trending And bird experts warn it will be a 'death trap' for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa each year. 'Birds flying into tall windows is a serious problem, and this is a building that is 500m high going across Saudi Arabia, with windmills on top,' Professor William Sutherland, director of research in Cambridge University's zoology department, told The Times. 'It's also kind of like a mirror, so you don't really see it. So unless they do something about it, there's a serious risk that there could be lots of damage to migratory birds.' That's if the futuristic plans ever become more than just a line in the sand. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: The tragic life of Saudi 'Sleeping Prince' who never woke up from 20-year coma MORE: Has WWE Night of Champions been cancelled? All the latest updates
Miami Herald
15-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
New Aerial Photos Show Progress on World's Biggest Construction Site
New aerial images show progress on the world's biggest construction site, including on Neom's centerpiece development, The Line, as it takes shape in the Saudi Arabian desert near the Red Sea. Newsweek has reached out to Neom for comment. Neom, the world's biggest construction site, is the flagship element of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to diversify economy away from dependence on energy exports. Authorities working on the project, which has faced delays and budget overruns, have been reviewing the scope and feasibility of the giga project and appointed a new CEO for that purpose. The Line, the most ambitious piece of Neom, was unveiled as a pair of parallel 500-meter-tall skyscrapers stretching through the desert. Saudi authorities originally planned for The Line to house 1.5 million residents by 2030. Giles Pendleton, the Line's chief operating officer, posted on LinkedIn two weeks ago confirming active construction progress in July." THE LINE is taking shape at an incredible pace and something I'm incredibly proud of," Pendelton wrote. A key element of Saudi Arabia's Neom project is the Oxagon port, a floating industrial complex located in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe. Saudi Arabia has asked consulting firms to reassess the feasibility of The Line this month, considering potential changes to the project's scale and priorities as part of a broader review of spending, according to Bloomberg. Saudi Arabia's budget has come under pressure because of a drop in oil prices and that has complicated efforts to fund its economic diversification plans, according to Reuters. Other Gulf and Arab governments are also pouring capital into megaprojects, aiming to attract global investors and tourists through cutting‑edge technologies and luxurious developments. Gulf royals, key backers of U.S. President Donald Trump made significant financial pledges in investment commitments to the United States during his visit to the region in May. Giles Pendelton, Chief Operating Officer at The Line, Neom, wrote on LinkedIn: "There's nothing ordinary about building THE LINE and nothing ordinary about the people bringing it to life." Scott Lechley, a UK-based construction analyst and executive recruiter who has written on NEOM, on LinkedIn: "The initial plans for The Line were scaled down, not abandoned. Breaking down large projects into manageable modules ensures better control and allows for adjustments along the way." Neom is expected to complete some initial projects soon, with others due in the coming years, though financial pressures and a strategic review could affect timelines. Related Articles New Satellite Images Show Progress Building World's Biggest Roller CoasterSatellite Images Show Giant Port Emerge at World's Biggest Construction SiteImages Show Power Plant Nears Completion at World's Biggest Construction SiteNew Progress Report From World's Biggest Construction Project 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
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First Post
09-06-2025
- Business
- First Post
6 things to know about the giant port at world's biggest construction site in Saudi Arabia's floating complex
Saudi Arabia's futuristic floating port at Oxagon is taking shape fast. Strategically located on the Red Sea, the port will be fully automated, renewable-powered and central to global trade. Here are six things to know about the project. read more Saudi Arabia's ambitious Neom project continues to make headlines, this time with visible progress at Oxagon, its futuristic floating industrial complex. Newly released satellite imagery has revealed significant developments at the Port of Neom, located in Oxagon, one of the most striking components of the world's largest construction site. Here are six key things to know about the giant port being developed at the heart of this next-generation megacity: A port at a strategic global trade artery The Port of Neom is rising on the Red Sea, along one of the busiest maritime trade corridors in the world. Its proximity to the Suez Canal—through which nearly 12% of global trade passes—gives it a pivotal advantage. This location positions Oxagon as a crucial new player in connecting Asia, Africa and Europe. Update🚨: Recent images posted by Giles Pendleton (Chief Operating Officer THE LINE at NEOM | Chief Development Officer) of Oxagon, showing immense progress in infrastructure works + Oxagon village is about to have more construction work coming as the site being prepared. — Saud (@Saudfromabove) April 13, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A symbol of Saudi Arabia's economic transition Oxagon is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative aimed at reducing the kingdom's dependence on oil. Along with other components like The Line and Trojena, it reflects Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitions to reposition Saudi Arabia as a global hub of innovation and sustainability. World-class automation arrives In a major milestone, the Port of Neom recently received Saudi Arabia's first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes. This step marks the beginning of a tech-first operational approach, designed to enhance Red Sea logistics and attract global business through efficiency and digital transformation. A hub for green energy and smart industries Oxagon is also the site for Neom's Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC), which is developing what will be the world's largest green hydrogen plant. The $8.4 billion project underscores Oxagon's role as not just a logistics centre but a future global capital for sustainable industry. Designed for people and planet Unlike conventional industrial zones, Oxagon has been envisioned as a mixed-use, compact city that will run entirely on renewable energy. Its planners aim to host around 90,000 residents by 2030. 'Industrial development cannot continue at the expense of people or the environment,' said Oxagon CEO Vishal Wanchoo in May. Strong global interest and leadership focus Neom recently appointed a new CEO tasked with tackling budget overruns and delays across its many sub-projects. Despite these challenges, optimism remains high. Melissa Blake, Port Director at Neom, wrote on LinkedIn: 'Port of Neom is excited to receive the first batch of cranes and other cargo handling equipment as we come another step closer to delivering our vision.' The Saudi government describes Oxagon as 'a place where people, nature and technology come together in harmony,' signalling a break from traditional development models. What's next? The Port of Neom is expected to become the primary gateway for trade in northwestern Saudi Arabia. With a smart logistics hub connecting three continents, the port could redefine how goods flow through the region, offering a glimpse of what global trade might look like in the decades to come.
