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Mid East Info
13-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Saudi Giga Projects 2025 Opens with Visionary Leadership and Global Momentum - Middle East Business News and Information
MEED's annual conference kicked off today in Riyadh focusing on national transformation through the Kingdom's most notable projects Saudi Giga Projects Summit is set to host 70+ speakers over the 3-day event Riyadh, Saudi Arabia –May 2025: Saudi Giga Projects Summitt 2025 (12-14 May) kicked off today in Riyadh, bringing together senior leaders from construction to drive forward an agenda focused on the Kingdom's development. With $288,592 billion worth of projects awarded in the last 12 months, the event falls at a particularly crucial time to focus on construction and development throughout the Kingdom. Day One welcomed over 500 leaders from 150 companies, setting the tone for a three-day programme featuring more than 70 speakers, including CEOs, policymakers, and global technology pioneers. The day one agenda focused on progress updates from Saudi Arabia's most renowned projects. Executives from ROSHN Group, NEOM, Diriyah, and Red Sea Global offered rare insight into the challenges of delivering large-scale developments. Projects such as Roshn's Sedra community and Red Sea Global's zero-emission resorts are already welcoming residents and visitors, signalling a shift from planning to reality. The panel discussion highlighted a common thread: the need for integrated collaboration, scalable delivery frameworks, and innovation in everything from workforce development to infrastructure logistics. Philip Gullett, Executive Director and Region Head of Trojena at NEOM, described progress as 'a military operation,' referencing the complexity of managing roads, dams, hotels, and homes within a remote mountain terrain. Key insights also came from Kingdom Holding Company, which confirmed that construction on the Jeddah Tower, poised to become the tallest building in the world at 1,005 metres, is well underway. In a fireside chat with Colin Foreman, Editor at MEED, Talal Almaiman, CEO of Kingdom Holding, described the project as a powerful statement of national pride, remarking: 'Height is pride… and we are very proud of this country. I think Saudi Arabia deserves to have the tallest building in the world.' A panel of C-suite executives, including Charles Trad, CEO at UNIMAC; Ashraf Alameria, CEO at El-Seif Engineering Contracting; Husam Gawish, Partner and Head of Operations at HKA; Edward Surgeon, Regional Director MENA at Procore and Saurabh Shekar, Principal at Kearney Middle East, met to discuss explored the perception of a slowdown in giga projects, with experts asserting it is a recalibration, not a retreat. With $1.3 trillion in construction forecast by 2030, Saudi Arabia remains the world's most dynamic market. Edward Surgeon remarked that 'the ambition here rivals Apollo 11.' The challenge now lies in building an ecosystem that invites greater international participation. A key thread across all sessions today was the emergence of AI as an important factor in development. This was particularly crucial in a session with Howard Wu, Executive Director for International Investments and Manufacturing at Oxagon and Abdulaziz AlMubarak, Head of Business Development KSA at DataVolt, chaired by MEED's Energy and Technologies Editor, Jennifer Aguinaldo. The session included key insights from Oxagon and DataVolt, looking at the importance of AI in today's project, and how this can be used responsibly as part of sustainable development. The first day concluded with a session on Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) outlining their Plan of Work, benchmarking this across entities across the globe. Speaker Dale Sinclair, Head of Digital Innovation at WSP, outlined RIBA's process through 7 key stages of work. As the summit continues, Day Two will include key updates and insights from Nemetschek Group, project showcase and updates from ROSHN Group, AlUla and Sports Boulevard and a series of panel discussions including 'Securing the Future Beyond 2030' and 'The Role of Private Sector Investment and PPPs in Delivering Giga Projects'. About MEED: MEED is the Middle East's leading business intelligence and events platform. Since 1957, it has delivered essential news, analysis, and data on the region's biggest projects, economies, and business trends. MEED Events convene decision-makers, project leaders, and innovators to shape the future of the region through curated summits, awards, and insight-led
News18
12-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Apple Park To Abraj Al Bait, Inside The World's Costliest Architectural Marvels
Last Updated: Here's a look at the top 10 most expensive buildings in the world and surprisingly, Dubai's most iconic Burj Khalifa is not in the list. The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, currently under construction, is set to claim the title of the world's tallest skyscraper and one of the most expensive complexes. Buildings like these are not just structures, they're a visual marvel. From shopping malls and office buildings to stadiums and luxury hotels, the most impressive structures around the globe are designed to leave a strong impact. However, building such grand structures comes with a hefty price tag. The cost of these projects depends on several factors, including land prices, local labour and the building's purpose. In this article, we look at the top 10 most expensive buildings in the world and surprisingly, Dubai's most iconic Burj Khalifa is not on the list. Hudson Yards in New York City – Built in phases since 2020, the project covers a huge area on Manhattan's West Side and includes offices, luxury homes, a modern arts centre, a fancy shopping mall and a total of 16 buildings. Back in 2015, the builders managed to get $5 billion in funding just for one tower, 30 Hudson Yards and the overall cost went up to $25 billion. After it was fully built, it has 4000 apartments and enough space to accommodate around 55,000 workers. The Abraj Al Bait in Mecca – The structure was built by the Saudi government, with the sole purpose of welcoming pilgrims who visit the city every year. This massive complex has seven skyscrapers and its total cost is around $15 billion. The main attraction of the complex is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, which stands at 1972 feet and has a crescent-shaped spire at the top. Inside the tower, there is a luxury hotel that offers beautiful views of the Masjid al-Haram, the biggest mosque in the world and the holiest place in Islam. Visitors can explore an astronomy centre and an observation deck. One of the most eye-catching features is the giant clock, which lights up with 21,000 green and white LEDs. SoFi Stadium in California – It's a massive project that costs around $5 billion, covering 3.1 million square feet and has a seating capacity of over 70,000 people. The idea for this grand stadium came from Rams owner Stan Kroenke, but it was not easy to make, as the project faced many delays because of bad weather, Covid pandemic and the loss of two workers. It took over four years to complete. One of the stadium's special features is its curved roof, allowing fresh air inside while still looking very modern. Apple Park in Cupertino – This unique building has been referred to as a spaceship or a glass doughnut because of its round design. It is Apple's main headquarters and is known for its impressive and eco-friendly architecture. When planning started, the budget was about $3 billion, but it exceeded $5 billion because of special features like the curved glass used on the outside and the focus on using green energy. The building has an area of 2.8 million square feet and it can hold around 12,000 employees. The Palace of the Parliament in Romania – It was ordered to be built by former leader Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1984. To build this massive palace, nearly 20% of Bucharest was demolished, forcing around 40,000 people to leave their homes. More than 700 architects and 20,000 workers worked day and night to bring Ceaușescu's vision to life. The building is filled with expensive materials like marble, crystal chandeliers and gold decorated ceilings. It is so large that it was built along a wide boulevard, which was intentionally made wider than Paris's famous Champs-Élysées. The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas – This 50-storey tower offer something different from the usual bright and flashy vibe of the Strip. The developers wanted it to feel more stylish, which is why they added many fancy features that made the building very expensive which is $3.9 billion. One special thing about it is that it has windows, which is rare for Vegas casinos, as it allows visitors to see outside and know whether it's day or night. One of the most interesting parts of the hotel is the Chandelier Bar, a beautiful three level space decorated with 2 million sparkling crystals. World Trade Centre in New York City – The complex was built after long discussions on how to properly honour the Twin Towers that were destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. The new building, which cost around $3.8 billion, was finally completed and opened in 2014. Its height, 1776 feet, was chosen to represent the year the United States became independent. When it was finished, it became the tallest building in the country, designed by architect David Childs. Visitors can go up to the sky lobby to see amazing views of the city and enjoy different activities inside the building. Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi – It was built as a lavish hotel for tourists rather than a palace for the royal family. The hotel covered over 2 million square feet, which has only 394 rooms, including luxurious suites and cost $3 billion to build. Inside, the ceilings are decorated with gold leaf, which needs to be replaced regularly, while sparkling Swarovski crystal chandeliers add to its luxurious feel. The hotel has hosted famous figures and was also featured in The Fast and the Furious 7. Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas – After the success of the Bellagio, Steve Wynn decided to build his casino in Las Vegas, which is now named after him. The complex is a beautiful, curved building that cost $2.7 billion to construct. It has over 2700 rooms and more than 1800 slot machines, plus a Michelin-starred restaurant. Roger Thomas created a dreamy atmosphere with colourful carpets and hanging parasols. One special touch at the Wynn is its signature scents, which were created by the owner himself to make guests feel certain emotions. Watch CNN-News18 here. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
The Sun
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Sun
World's tallest abandoned skyscraper the Walking Stick to FINALLY be finished decade after £8bn project was left empty
A GIANT skyscraper in China that has stood unfinished for nearly a decade is finally set to resume construction. Work on Goldin Finance 117, nicknamed The Walking Stick due to its architectural shape, ground to an abrupt halt in 2015 amid financial woes. 4 4 4 The "ghost-scraper" has loomed large over the northern city of Tianjin ever since, with its future remaining up in the air. Planned as a symbol of the country's surging wealth when it broke ground in 2008, it would have been China 's tallest tower at the time. Already topped out when construction hit a pause, it now holds the unenviable record of world's tallest abandoned skyscraper. At a whopping 1,959 feet, it is nearly twice as tall as The Shard. Work on the £8billion project hit a pause following the 2015 Chinese stock market crash. But the tower is now set to resume construction after 10 long years, according to Chinese state media. However, it won't get to claim the title as China's tallest building. Two bigger skyscrapers, the Shanghai Tower and Shenzhen's Ping An Finance Centre, have both been completed since. Nevertheless, The Walking Stick's vast heights will still make it the world's sixth tallest building. It would drop to eighth if the world record-targeting Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia and Dubai's Burj Azizi are completed in the coming years. Goldin Finance 117 is now projected to be finished by 2027, CNN has reported. The tower was designed with "mega columns" to shield it against earthquakes and strong winds. Plans also included a diamond-shaped atrium at the top with a swimming pool and observation deck. It was also expected to contain offices and a five-star hotel on its higher floors. But it is not known whether plans for the skyscraper's use will remain unchanged. Goldin Finance 117 is far from the only abandoned high rise to sit on China's skylines. China issued guidance in 2020 banning new skyscrapers over 500 metres (1,640 feet). In central China, the Wuhan Greenland Centre had its planned height slashed from a planned 636 metres (2,087 ft) in 2018 while it was mid-construction. Had it been completed as originally designed, it would have been the world's second tallest tower at the time, only after Dubai 's Burj Khalifa. In the end, it reached 476 metres (1,562 feet). Work is also set to resume on the Chengdu Greenland Tower in the country's south west, according to local state-owned media. Construction on this planned 468 metre tall skyscraper has been paused since 2023. The skylines of many of China's biggest cities are dominated by vast towers like this. Five of the 10 tallest completed buildings in the world are in China. 4
Leaders
12-03-2025
- General
- Leaders
Jeddah Waves Thousands of Flags in Vibrant Saudi Flag Day Celebration
Jeddah illuminated its streets with over 3,000 Saudi flags on Tuesday, 11 March, to celebrate Saudi Flag Day. Annual festivities highlight national pride, unity, and the Kingdom's enduring legacy. Authorities adorned major squares, bridges, and the Corniche waterfront, drawing crowds to witness the vibrant displays. Symbolism Rooted in Heritage The Saudi flag embodies deep religious and cultural significance. Its green backdrop represents growth and prosperity, while the white sword signifies justice and strength. The Shahada inscription underscores the nation's Islamic identity, uniting citizens under shared values. As dusk settled, iconic buildings like Jeddah Tower and historic districts glowed emerald green, amplifying the festive spirit. Municipal teams coordinated the illuminations to align with this year's theme: 'A Symbol of Glory.' Flag Day's Modern Revival Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman established Saudi Flag Day in 2023, reviving a 1973 royal decree. The 11th March date honors King Abdulaziz's 1937 standardization of the flag's design, ensuring its uniformity nationwide. Families and tourists flocked to photo exhibitions detailing the flag's evolution. Schools hosted workshops, while social media buzzed with hashtags like #OurFlagUnity. 'This celebration reconnects us to our roots,' said Jeddah resident Ahmed Al-Ghamdi. Officials confirmed plans to expand festivities next year, integrating drone shows and cultural parades. Now, Jeddah's green waves stand as a testament to Saudi Arabia's unity and vision. Short link : Post Views: 18
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Saudi Arabia plans record-breaking new skyscrapers
Jeddah Tower is set to claim the title of the world's tallest in two years' time, but Saudi Arabia isn't stopping there. A proposed skyscraper near Riyadh's airport, designed by British firm Foster + Partners, could be double that height — soaring to 2 kilometers and dwarfing Dubai's 828-meter Burj Khalifa. Jeddah Tower, backed by billionaire Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, is back under construction after a seven-year pause. There's no start date for the Riyadh building, but it is reportedly backed by the Public Investment Fund. While some (mainly Semafor's Editor-in-Chief Ben Smith) dream of New York reclaiming the title, the ambition to build high now firmly belongs to the Gulf.
