Saudi Arabia’s 400-metre Mukaab skyscraper seeks advanced tech alliances and real estate collaborations for an ambitious immersive experience

New Murabba Co., a Saudi real estate firm backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is actively pursuing tech partnerships to elevate the Saudi Mukaab skyscraper project—a 400-meter landmark—into a cutting-edge immersive experience. During the Future Investment Initiative summit in Riyadh, CEO Michael Dyke highlighted the ambitious vision and technological requirements for Mukaab’s development.

Located in Riyadh’s Qirawan district, Mukaab is not just a building but a landmark of engineering and innovation, designed to operate around the clock, 365 days a year. This 24-hour operational goal places exceptional demands on technology, with Dyke stressing the need for collaborations with leading technology firms to achieve the project’s ambitious goals.

“Our vision for Mukaab requires partnerships across sectors,” Dyke explained. “We’re looking to collaborate with the biggest, smartest, and most technologically savvy companies. Developing Mukaab at this scale requires long-term alliances that can deliver infrastructure, utilities, and advanced technology to create an unparalleled experience for visitors.”

This call for partnerships extends across New Murabba Co.’s broader goals, where CEO Michael Dyke emphasized the importance of strategic alliances in real estate and industry to realize the Saudi Mukaab skyscraper project. Dyke underscored the need for foundational “classic real estate partnerships,” involving sub-developers, asset investments, and land sale collaborations. These partnerships will be crucial in bringing the visionary Mukaab skyscraper and the surrounding New Murabba development to life.

The architectural ambitions for Mukaab are unprecedented. Designed to host around a quarter of a million visitors at any given time, the building includes a 350,000-square-metre retail space in its basement and will feature the world’s largest immersive dome. This dome, with a diameter of 340 metres and a height of 380 metres, will transport visitors into different worlds and experiences with its cutting-edge interactive technology. At the heart of the structure is a central tower that surpasses the Eiffel Tower in height, set to host hospitality at its peak and luxury retail spirals at its base.

Dyke describes the structure as a marvel of engineering: “People think it’s a building, but Mukaab is far more complex than that. In terms of sheer scale, imagine 20 Empire State buildings fitting inside it. We have the world’s largest roof, covering 16 hectares. This is one of the most advanced engineering feats ever attempted.”

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda is driving the need for high-profile developments like Mukaab, aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil and positioning Riyadh as a global business and tourism hub. Dyke underlined the importance of government support, noting that PIF’s complete ownership of New Murabba Co. ensures access to initial capital for the project, although the company seeks partnerships to meet financial expectations and sustain growth.

By the end of this decade, New Murabba aims to deliver over 100,000 housing units, with Mukaab as the centrepiece of the new downtown area. This urban development, bounded by King Khalid Road to the west, King Salman Road to the south, and Prince Turki Road to the east, is intended to be a fully equipped city, complete with educational facilities, healthcare services, commercial buildings, and hospitality spaces.

Mukaab’s impact on the urban landscape is also planned to extend into the environment. The New Murabba development will include 4.5 square kilometres of green space, nearly two and a half times the size of New York’s Central Park, emphasising New Murabba’s commitment to sustainability. This focus on green space is designed to complement Mukaab’s technologically driven, immersive experience, creating a balanced urban ecosystem that combines innovation with liveable, green surroundings.

In discussing the ongoing progress, Dyke voiced optimism: “We’re moving forward steadily, thanks to government backing. But we also need to be financially self-sustaining, and that means attracting partners who see the long-term value in this venture.”

With the technological, architectural, and ecological ambitions of Mukaab, New Murabba Co. is set to redefine Riyadh’s skyline, making Saudi Arabia a premier destination for tourism, business, and cultural experiences aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. As partnerships solidify and construction progresses, Mukaab and New Murabba promise to stand as symbols of Saudi Arabia’s forward-looking, innovative spirit.