Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah project is a star attraction at the ongoing Cityscape Global 2024 in Riyadh. The master plan is a beacon of sustainable living, not just by certificates, but also by way of life.
Economy Middle East spoke to Kiran Jay Haslam, Diriyah’s chief marketing officer, at Cityscape about the project’s timeline, its all-round approach to sustainability, and anticipated demand from international buyers.
Edited excerpts:
Could you tell us about your participation in this year’s Cityscape and any new developments at Diriyah?
Looking at the crowds and walking through the halls, you know this year’s Cityscape has moved ahead of last year’s. We see a lot of international visitors. You’ll also see an increase in the number of people coming from various Saudi Arabian provinces to Riyadh just to attend Cityscape.
We have a bigger presence at Cityscape compared to last year. Our large pavilion has enabled us to showcase more elements to the visitors here.
One of the main attractions is the master plan model, which explains the entire giga project. It takes you through the project in great detail, such as the subterranean complex infrastructure.
The model is keeping visitors engaged and that’s definitely helping us. In addition to that, we’ve got two very exciting global premieres.
The first is our Raffles branded residences, and the second, our Ritz Carlton signature collection branded residences. Both the projects bring a high degree of hospitality and interconnectivity in line with the Diriyah master plan.
Moreover, you’re just a stone’s throw away from Wadi Hanifa, which has been repopulated with over six million plants. So, there’s plenty of green space, which perfectly complements the Diriyah master plan.
We even have four metro stations to connect us with the rest of the Riyadh network. The project will truly make the city walkable, just like you see in London, Paris and Barcelona.
Read: Diriyah project attracts $6 billion in private sector investments
What kind of international demand are you experiencing?
The demand for private residences is incredibly high, predominantly from Saudi nationals. We have also seen some interest from nationals of other GCC countries. This is an excellent opportunity for foreign owners to make off-plan purchases. We would love to see more interest from international buyers. We are working closely with all government entities to drive business and make this a success.
Read: Diriyah seeks U.K. partnerships in business, development projects
Diriyah will leave you with a stamp of Saudi culture. There are already a lot of people who are touched by Diriyah, its breathtaking location, the generous population, the kind culture that’s steeped in history.
I am sure the Kingdom will shortly announce plans that will make it more lucrative for international buyers to enter the market.
Could you share insights into Diriyah’s commitment to sustainability?
To start with, our entire master plan is certified LEED platinum. In addition to that, iconic assets across the master plan are certified LEED gold.
Sustainability is weaved deeply into Diriyah. Where else in the world will you find a futuristic urban center that’s designed to be completely pedestrian? If you choose, you may never need to drive an automobile in Diriyah. Diriyah has also put special emphasis on the conservation of power and water.
There’s also focus on promoting greenery and the biodiversity that comes along with it. In a way, we are trying to learn from the mistakes that we see in some other parts of the world.
Read: Diriyah reveals plans for 20,000-seat arena
Sustainability is also what the international traveler is looking for right now. They want to travel sustainably and stay in a green city. They are very conscious of leaving a negative impact on the environment.
There’s also a lot of focus on sourcing locally, recycling plastic, ensuring developers meet sustainability standards, etc.
Therefore, the entire Diriyah ecosystem is built on pillars of sustainability.
What is the anticipated completion date for the Diriyah master plan?
We are on track to complete the first phase by Expo 2030. You will see five-star hotels come to life, along with residential and commercial spaces. Most importantly, you will see centers for entertainment, art and culture take shape, apart from museums. Moreover, there will be 17 kilometers of cycling, running tracks and horse riding trails. You’ll see all of this come to life before 2030.
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