Everything you need to know about Diriyah Gate Project

The Diriyah Gate Project is one of the most important and prominent projects of the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, affiliated with the Public Investment Fund, which aims to integrate the city’s history and culture with the present and elevate Diriyah to make it a global tourist, cultural, and historical destination, as the first capital of Saudi Arabia.

The Diriyah Project showcases the rich culture and deep-rooted Najdi heritage and seeks to preserve the authentic Saudi culture while providing innovative and advanced experiences.

The Diriyah Gate Project includes the development of a magnificent mud-brick city featuring attractive natural views, offering an integrated living experience for visitors and residents by creating luxurious and diverse residential places, including apartments, hotels, resorts, and villas. It also includes the development of cultural museums, restaurants, public and entertainment facilities, with the ultimate goal of attracting millions of visitors and investors and providing new job opportunities for citizens.

The budget for the Diriyah Gate Project is estimated at 236 billion Saudi Riyals, highlighting the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve sustainable development and enhance cultural tourism within it. In this blog, we talk about the project and its details.

Where is Diriyah Gate located?

The location of the Diriyah Gate Project is highly strategic and vital. Specifically, it is on the top of Tuwaiq Mountain, about 15 minutes northwest of Riyadh. Diriyah Gate rises approximately 700 meters above the Red Sea level and is bordered by Harimla Governorate to the north and Dhurma Governorate to the southwest.

Key objectives of the Diriyah Gate Project

The Diriyah Gate Project is one of the projects aiming to integrate Saudi culture and authenticity with modern contemporary experiences. It is considered one of the most important projects in Riyadh. As a result, its primary goals are focused on the following::

Preserving heritage and culture: By developing Al-Turaif district, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and making it a unique destination featuring amazing experiences celebrating the culture and history of Saudi Arabia and preserving its rich heritage.
Enhancing the Saudi economy: This is achieved by supporting the local economy, creating job opportunities, and improving citizens’ living standards through the establishment and development of many commercial, entertainment, and tourism projects.
Raising awareness of the original heritage and Najdi culture of Saudi Arabia: This is evident through the development of educational centers, museums, and cultural and artistic exhibitions.

The Diriyah Gate Project and Vision 2030

It is important to highlight that the Diriyah Project is one of the flagship initiatives of Vision 2030, aimed at achieving the ambitious goals set forth in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which include:

Diversifying the Kingdom’s economy and reducing dependency on oil as a source of income and enhancing the tourism sector to make it a global tourist destination attracting tourists and investors from all over the world.
Strengthening Saudi national identity and presenting it to the world in a modern, attractive way that preserves Najdi heritage and Saudi culture.
Focusing on sustainable development by creating eco-friendly projects that preserve the environment and promote the efficient use of energy and water.

Components of the Diriyah Gate Project

The ambitious Diriyah Gate Project includes a wide range of components that achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and transform Diriyah into a global cultural and tourism destination. The components of the Diriyah Gate Project revolve around the following:

Al-Turaif District

Al-Turaif District is a vibrant and historic model of Saudi architecture that reflects Najdi history and culture. It contains ancient buildings and great historical landmarks, most notably Salwa Palace, Nasser Bin Saud Palace, and Saad Bin Saud Palace.

Al-Turaif District is the second Saudi site added to UNESCO in 1431 AH. After nine years, in 1440 AH, the district’s development project was inaugurated by King Salman bin Abdulaziz to transform it into a global center for tourism and culture, placing it at the forefront of global heritage cities. Four years after the start of its development, Al-Turaif began welcoming tourists.

Al-Turaif District features many luxurious museums, most notably:

Diriyah Exhibition in Salwa Palace: Showcasing the deep history of Saudi Arabia and its system of governance through stunning water displays and sculptural paintings narrating the details of the palace’s story and the period it was a seat of power.
Social Life Exhibition: Detailing the customs and traditions of daily life for the people of Diriyah and the tools and equipment used in that era.
Military Exhibition: Highlighting the tools and equipment used in battles and wars to defend Diriyah.

Saudi guides in Al-Turaif District answer all the questions visitors might need.

Al-Bujairi Terrace

A magnificent garden located in the middle of the fertile Wadi Hanifa, overlooking the historic Al-Turaif District and featuring an attractive view of stunning natural scenery, green spaces, refreshing palm trees, quiet recreational facilities, and scenic pathways. It also includes the finest global restaurants and cafes offering visitors a variety of Saudi and international dishes.

Wadi Hanifa

A wonderful natural area that combines the beauty of nature and cultural heritage in the Diriyah Gate Project. It spans a vast area located in the heart of Diriyah and boasts many features that make it an attractive tourist destination, including:

Water surfaces such as lakes and ponds that attract visitors, helping them enjoy the beauty of nature and practice water activities.
Dedicated pathways for cycling and walking, allowing tourists and residents to enjoy the stunning nature and engage in their favorite sports activities.
Biodiversity and environmental preservation initiatives, primarily focused on protecting wildlife and planting local trees and plants.
Restoration of historical landmarks and areas that narrate the region’s culture and deep-rooted history.

King Salman Square

It is one of the main pillars of the Diriyah Gate project and a model for the integrated urban center that combines historical and modern architectural styles. It was beautifully designed in the heart of Diriyah, which is a strategic location and a key gathering point for visitors and citizens. The square features a design that blends authenticity and modernity, reflecting the old Najdi heritage.

The square also includes recreational, cultural facilities, designated seating areas, and open-air theaters to enhance social communication. The Development Authority has ensured that the square includes spaces for events, festivals, and occasions to enhance social and cultural life.

King Salman University

A leading educational institution presented by the Diriyah Gate project, its aim is to provide high-quality education focused on the history and culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by offering advanced academic and research programs in various fields, most notably history, culture, humanities, management, tourism, and others, to meet the market’s needs locally and internationally.

King Salman University has high-level educational and research facilities to provide an educational environment that supports innovation and academic excellence. It includes laboratories, libraries, research centers, study halls, and discussion rooms.

The university promotes academic and cultural exchange by establishing partnerships with international educational and research institutions to expand the horizons of faculty members and students and to exchange knowledge and experiences, thereby enhancing the university’s international position.

Al Saud Museum

Al Saud Museum sheds light on the history of Saudi Arabia, especially the history of the royal family, through the display of photographs, traditional weapons, historical artifacts, rare documents, old treasures, royal family costumes, and comprehensive information about the kingdom’s development, providing a comprehensive educational and cultural experience for tourists.

The Al Saud Museum consists of several sections, each focusing on a specific time period in the kingdom’s history or a particular aspect of the royal family’s life. Among the most important sections are the First Saudi State history section, the founding of the Kingdom section, and the modern achievements section.

The museum also provides the best educational programs suitable for all ages, enhancing awareness of the history of Saudi Arabia. These programs may include workshops, lectures, and guided tours by Saudi guides.

Other key elements included in the development plan for the Diriyah Gate project are as follows:

A wide range of luxury 5-star resorts and hotels, exceeding 38 hotels and resorts, and more than 20,000 residential units with stunning Najdi-style designs, offering high-end accommodations for tourists and providing top-notch services, ensuring a wonderful tourism experience.
Mosques and places of worship that align with the religious and cultural character of the region. Around 31 mosques have been designed.
Exhibitions and cultural landmarks, with over 10 cultural landmarks and 9 heritage and cultural exhibitions designed.
Public parks, with more than 8 public parks and open green spaces designed to allow tourists and visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Diriyah Gate Development Authority

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority was officially established by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2017, and its board of directors was formed under the chairmanship of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The authority is responsible for serving the local community and developing and managing the historic Diriyah area in terms of urban, social, cultural, and economic aspects. It is considered one of the most important historical heritage sites in the Kingdom and the birthplace of the first Saudi state.

It is also responsible for ensuring Diriyah’s development as an integrated tourism environment, such as providing public services and enhancing them by building the future of Diriyah, along with consulting research centers and planning experts to develop the most important plans for Diriyah Gate. The authority oversees infrastructure planning and its implementation in coordination with the relevant agencies.

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority is distinguished by its legal personality and administrative independence in carrying out its tasks. It has an independent annual budget and is organizationally linked to the head of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. The authority is managed by a board of directors, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The authority has set several goals for the development of Diriyah Gate, including:

Restoring and developing historical sites such as Al-Turaif neighborhood, preserving the Najdi heritage and the authentic culture and history of Saudi Arabia.
Developing infrastructure through major development projects, including the construction of luxury hotels, restaurants, museums, and public recreational spaces.
Enhancing tourism and making Diriyah a global cultural and tourism destination that attracts tourists and investors.

Contractors of the Diriyah Gate Project

The development of the Diriyah Gate project involves the participation of a large number of contractors and the largest local and international construction companies in Saudi Arabia, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to transform Diriyah into a leading cultural and tourism destination. The list of contractors for this project includes:

Diriyah Company: The main entity responsible for the full development and management of the project, established by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in 2017.
UNCE (Union of Construction Engineering): A Saudi company working in the construction sector that contracted with Diriyah Company to build the largest and most luxurious hotel in Diriyah, the Samhan Heritage Hotel.
Binyah: A Saudi company specializing in infrastructure work, responsible for infrastructure development in Wadi Hanifa in Diriyah, including excavation, street lighting, road construction, and designing and implementing sewage and stormwater networks.
Salini Impregilo: A leading Saudi company in the global construction sector, which has signed an agreement with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority to implement the parking project under Diriyah Square, covering an area of about one million square meters.
Al-Usul Al-Ali: A company responsible for providing construction materials, machinery, and heavy equipment used in building and construction work. They also handle waste removal operations for the Diriyah project.
Talad Construction: A Saudi construction company responsible for developing some parts of the Diriyah Gate project.
Salco: A Saudi company specializing in construction and infrastructure, mainly overseeing the creation and design of the Wadi Safar Nursery in western Riyadh and its management.

Achievements of the Diriyah Gate Project

The Diriyah Gate project has successfully achieved many milestones in line with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030. The most important achievements include:

Creating more job opportunities and improving the quality of life: The Diriyah Gate project has contributed to achieving 50 million work hours in tourism, trade, and hospitality sectors, providing daily labor exceeding 20,000 workers. It has also created nearly 178,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Providing green spaces and planting millions of trees: Over 6 million trees and plants have been planted to enhance Diriyah’s beautiful landscape.
Hosting global events: The project has hosted many international events such as World Tourism Day, the World Travel & Tourism Council Summit, and sports events like boxing tournaments, tennis, equestrian show jumping, and Formula E races.
Receiving the first LEED Platinum certification in the Middle East: Diriyah Company received the LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the first phase of the Diriyah Gate project.
Building partnerships: The project’s development authority has partnered with many local and international institutions to promote development and growth.

Phases of the Diriyah Gate Project Development

The historical timeline of the Diriyah Gate project is as follows:

2017: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority was established to oversee all stages of development.
2019: The Diriyah project was inaugurated with King Salman placing the first clay brick.
2020: Construction began, and the foundation was laid for two major projects, Al-Bujairy Lookout and its parking area, which exceeds 50,000 square meters, including 33 food courts and 1,406 parking spaces.
2021: The Diriyah Gate project became the first in the kingdom to receive a Gold-level certification for Al-Bujairy parking, accredited by PARKSMART.
2022:Al-Bujairy Lookout was inaugurated, featuring 22 restaurants and various recreational and cultural facilities, in addition to 1,400 dedicated parking spaces. More than a million visitors were received at Al-Bujairy Lookout in under 6 months.

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Diriyah Gate Project