MBS, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, intends to redefine luxury travel with these multibillion-dollar endeavors – From a 1300 foot tall cube-shaped shopping mall to the Red Sea ‘giga-resort’ to the world’s largest living open-air museum, these structures will leave visitors in awe.

Saudi Arabia exemplifies not only luxury but also vision, ambition, and accomplishing the unfathomable. With the visionary Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the helm, there is nothing that can halt the nation from becoming the center of global design and architectural innovation. A variety of ambitious megaprojects are reshaping the landscape of the monarchy, one futuristic project at a time.

Magnificent Mukaab is a 1312-foot-tall, cube-shaped skyscraper that will be the focal point of Riyadh’s capital city. It is capable of housing 20 Empire State structures. The structure, constructed in the classic Nadji design, will offer 25 million square meters of floor space and create 104,000 homes. Thousands of residents will also enjoy 80 entertainment and cultural facilities, 9,000 hotel rooms, and 3.2 million square feet (980,000 square meters) of retail space.

The out-of-the-ordinary project is promoted as the largest downtown area in the world, with a 15-minute walking radius and its own internal transportation. New Murabba’s crowning glory, Mukaab, is scheduled to be completed in 2030.

Spectacular Sheybarah Island – While the rest of the world discusses living in opulent floating pods, Saudi Arabia is constructing them. Sheybarah Island resort is the name of this mega-project by the renowned architectural firm Killa Design.

The futuristic residences off the coast of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea are inspired by sand dunes and are surrounded by crystal-clear waters that will whisk you away from the bustle of daily life.

73 reflective overwater spheres and inland luxury overwater villas are encompassed by dense mangroves, desert vegetation, and coral reefs. The design team explained that the circle represents unity, integration, and wholeness, giving visitors a sense of completion, confidence, and harmony. Guests can partake in water-based activities or relax on one of the island’s numerous white sand beaches.

Charming Coral Bloom – The designs of Coral Bloom are inspired by the extraordinary flora and fauna of Saudi Arabia. Foster + Partners is responsible for the design of MBS’s enormous eco-friendly luxury destination. Eleven hotels and nine magnificent experiences, including Dunes, The Trail, The Coves, Coral Pavilion, Reef Villas, Nature Reserve, The Club, Golf Course, and Luxury Village, will be incorporated into the landscape. Coral Bloom will function as the hub island for the Red Sea Project.

The Red Sea Project will encompass a total of 50 resorts with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and approximately 1,300 residential properties spread across 22 islands and six inland locations. Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, explains, “Our vision for Shurayrah is inspired by the island’s natural state, with hotels designed to resemble driftwood washed up on the beaches and nestled among the dunes.”

Only in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is it possible to transform 300 years of Saudi heritage into a modern oasis of retail, office, residential, and dining spaces. Combining traditional Najdi architectural typology with urbanism, Diriyah, the ancestral seat of the Al Saud dynasty, will be renovated as a new cultural capital. At the center of the development is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, an iconic mud-brick city and the residence of the Al Saud family’s First House.

The $63.2 billion endeavor will feature over thirty museums, galleries, and recreational areas. Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, stated, “We are committed to preserving and promoting the history and culture of the city, and we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to bear witness to its beauty and participate in the legacy it represents.”

Amazing Amaala – Amaala is a luxury destination owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. This luxury destination’s most alluring feature is transformative personal journeys. Amaala’s wellness and sports sanctuaries provide an endless array of activities, a sports academy (golf, equestrian, polo, camel racing, and falconry), and an unrivaled yacht club. The development will include 2,500 hotel accommodations, 700 private residential villas, and a 200-store retail district.

Amaala will operate with a zero-carbon footprint while still providing guests with a luxurious lifestyle experience. The Amaala project will stimulate economic development by creating 22,000 jobs in the hospitality and tourism, leisure, and retail sectors.

Astonishing Alula – The AlUla Development Company intends to transform this living museum and site of exceptional human and natural heritage into a global tourist destination. These developments, owned by PIF, will include more than 7,500 hotel keys, 5,000 residential units, and a staff village. AlUla is a burgeoning tourism destination in the northwestern region of Madinah that will introduce tourists to a previously undiscovered world. Tourists can stay in Sharaan, a subterranean hotel designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, or explore AlUla’s Valley of the Arts.

Azulik AlUla is the most recent luxury resort to open in the ancient valley, featuring 76 luxury villas in six distinct categories. A world-class spa, VIP club, welcome lounges, and 24-hour dining will make visitors forget that they are exploring a remote location. At the SFER IK museum, you will find all things primitive, while the Azulik AlUla will astound you with its extraordinary novelty.