Project Profiles

King Salman Park: World's Largest Urban Park in Riyadh

Last Updated on Feb 12, 2025, 05:00 AM IST
King Salman Park: World's Largest Urban Park in Riyadh

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Project at a Glance

Project Name 

King Salman Park

Project Type

Greenfield

Project Location

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sector

Construction

Subsector

Urban Park

Owner

King Salman Park Foundation (KSPF)

Operator

KSPF

Project Funder

  • KSPF
  • King Salman Park Real Estate Fund

Project Area

16.6 square kilometres

Project Cost

USD 9.4 billion (SAR 34.5 billion)

Project Status

Under Construction

Project Launched

2019

Construction Start Date

2021

Project Completion Date

2027 (expected)

 

King Salman Park: Project Overview

King Salman Park is a large-scale urban development project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, launched by King Salman Bin Abdulaziz. The project, which covers an area of 16 square kilometers, is owned and operated by the King Salman Park Foundation. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the project is transforming the former Riyadh Air Base into the world’s largest urban park, surpassing London’s Hyde Park and New York’s Central Park.

 

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Branded as “Beyond a Park,” the urban park project aims to serve as a green oasis, enhancing Riyadh’s green cover, mitigating urban heat, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through cultural, recreational, and environmental initiatives. As one of the largest construction projects in Saudi Arabia, it will feature diverse attractions, including cultural venues, sports facilities, and artistic spaces.

 

Project Scope

King Salman Park is designed as a sustainable urban district, integrating expansive green spaces, cultural attractions, sports facilities, entertainment zones, and residential and commercial developments. The master plan features a network of central public open areas surrounded by mixed-use developments to create a vibrant and sustainable urban environment.

 

One of the largest construction projects in MENA region will include the following key components:

 

Environmental Elements

Feature

Details

Green Areas & Open Spaces

Covers over 9.3 million square meters, featuring an Islamic-style garden, vertical gardens, a maze garden, and a bird & butterfly sanctuary.

Gardens

Various gardens spanning 400,000 square meters.

Pedestrian Walkway

A circular walkway extending 7.2 km.

Valley (‘Wadi’)

A central valley spanning 800,000 square meters.

Water Features

Various water elements cover over 300,000 square meters.

Pathways & Rock Features

Dedicated pathways and natural rock formations are incorporated throughout the park.

 

Royal Art Complex

Feature

Details

Total Area

400,000 square meters

National Theatre

Seating capacity of 2,500

Museums

Five museums, varying in size and theme

Outdoor Theatre

Seating capacity of 8,000

Cinema Complex

3 cinema halls

Art Academies

4 art academies

Educational Center

A center dedicated to children's learning and creativity

 

Cultural Facilities

Feature

Details

Museums

7 museums, including the Aviation Museum, Astronomy and Space Museum, Science Museum, Museum of Plants, Virtual Reality Museum, and Architecture Museum.

Event Plazas

Forty thousand square meters are allocated for exhibitions and public events.

Landmarks & Artworks

Cultural landmarks and outdoor art installations.

 

 

King Salman Park photos construction

King Salman Park Construction in Progress

 

Sports & Entertainment Facilities

Feature

Details

Royal Golf Course

Covers 850,000 square meters.

Sports Complex

Built over 50,000 square meters.

Amusement Park

A 100,000 square meter family-oriented amusement park.

Aquapark

Covers 140,000 square meters.

Virtual Reality Court

Advanced VR-based sports and entertainment facility.

Skydiving Center

Dedicated skydiving sports area.

Equestrian Center

Facilities for horse riding and training.

Running & Biking Routes

Dedicated pathways for fitness and recreation.

Skybridge & Tower

A landmark tower featuring an elevated sky bridge.

 

Visitor Pavilion

Feature

Details

Total Area

80,000 square meters

Facilities

Includes interactive exhibits, a 360-degree terrace, multi-purpose halls, meeting rooms, a plant nursery, and restaurants & cafés.

 

Housing, Hospitality, & Business

Feature

Details

Residential Units

12,000 housing units.

Hotels

16 hotels with a total of 2,300 rooms.

Retail & Commercial Space

Covers 500,000 square meters.

 

Public Facilities & Infrastructure

Feature

Details

Mosques & Religious Centers

Places of worship for residents and visitors.

Security & Healthcare

Police stations, healthcare facilities, and emergency services.

Educational & Social Facilities

Schools, public libraries, and social centers.

Parking Areas

Covers 280,000 square meters.

Roads & Pathways

Includes main roads, service roads, and pedestrian walkways.

District Cooling Plant

Provides efficient cooling infrastructure for the park.

 

King Salman Park Location

King Salman Park is centrally located in Riyadh, on the former site of Riyadh Airport (previously King Salman Airbase). It is well-connected through five stations on the Green Line, one on the Red Line of the Riyadh Metro, and ten Riyadh Bus network stations. Also, the park is linked to six major roads, ensuring seamless public and private transportation access.

 

King Salman Park location site map

 

King Salman Park Foundation site office is located in the King Abdullah Financial District, Area 3 - Tower 305, Riyadh.

 

Project Background

King Salman Park is a large-scale urban park and mixed-use development named after King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The development aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goal of positioning Riyadh among the top 100 cities worldwide, contributing to urban sustainability, cultural enrichment, and improved quality of life.

 

The King Salman Park project was launched on March 19, 2019, by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The project is overseen by the King Salman Park Foundation, chaired by HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. 

 

The project is one of four major initiatives announced with USD 23 billion in government funding, alongside Sports Boulevard, Riyadh Art, and Green Riyadh. The master plan, designed by Omrania and Henning Larsen Architects, envisions traditional arts and a sustainable urban district.

 

In 2019, Hill International secured contracts to provide project management services for two of Riyadh's major projects: King Salman Park and the Sports Boulevard. 

 

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The first phase (7.3 million square meters) focuses on green spaces and key infrastructure, while the second (6 million square meters) and third (3.6 million square meters) will introduce additional cultural, commercial, and recreational facilities. Landmark buildings and key assets will be built around a central loop.

 

In June 2023, landscaping projects were awarded to Nesma & Partners (USD 2 billion) and Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Company (RTCC) (USD 330 million). Additionally, the Royal Arts Complex, valued at USD 2 billion (SR7.5 billion), is being developed by Modern Building Leaders. 

 

The King Salman Park Foundation

The King Salman Park Foundation (KSPF) is responsible for overseeing the implementation, operation, and investment management of King Salman Park. The foundation is chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

 

In 2023, the foundation launched the King Salman Park Real Estate Fund, marking the first public-private partnership for mixed-use real estate development within the park. This initiative is fully funded and managed by the private sector, reinforcing the foundation’s role in attracting investment and fostering economic growth.

 

To strengthen its leadership, George Tanasijevich, former president of Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, was appointed CEO of the King Salman Park Foundation in December 2022.

 

King Salman Park: Project Timeline

King Salman Park project timeline opening date

 

King Salman Park: Project Cost

The estimated project cost of King Salman Park is USD 9.4 billion (SAR 34.5 billion).

 

King Salman Park Project Contractors

Contractor

Role

Contract Value (estimated)

Nesma & Partners

Landscaping work

USD 2 billion

Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Company (RTCC)

Landscaping work

USD 330 million

Haif Company and Freyssinet Saudi Arabia (Joint Venture)

Site-wide infrastructure, including roads, stormwater systems, irrigation, electrical and data networks, and security systems

USD 524 million

Modern Building Leaders

Construction of the Royal Arts Complex

USD 2 billion

Nesma Telecom & Technology

Construction of four 132/13.8kV substations

USD 66.3 million

SNC-Lavalin

District cooling plant - Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract

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Project Benefits

King Salman Park will be the world’s largest urban park, offering a diverse range of recreational, cultural, and sports activities for visitors of all ages. The park will accommodate 50 million annual visitors and provide residential, commercial, and office spaces, supporting 96,000 residents, 30,000 office workers, and 27,000 residential units. 

 

It will also feature 11 million square meters of greenery, 1.1 million trees, and 800 plant species, including 600 new ones. Also, the park will include a top-tier MICE facility, 270,000 square meters of retail space, 20,000 arena seats, and 2,500 hotel rooms.

 

Current Status of King Salman Park

The construction of King Salman Park is on the right track as of 2025. According to Abdullah Allohaidan, Executive Director of Project & Construction Management at the King Salman Park Foundation, significant milestones have been achieved, with structural works completed and the Royal Arts Complex reaching 48% completion. 

 

Work is also advancing on key infrastructure elements, including tunnels, bridges, the production nursery, the Wadi cascade, and soil placement at the art park. So far, over 13 million cubic meters of soil have been excavated for the flagship project. According to current developments, King Salman Park opening date is set around the year 2027.

 

The largest construction project in the Middle East will be developed in six packages, with the first package already awarded and the second in the planning phase, while future packages will be announced later. In addition to the ongoing construction, private sector investments are also shaping the park’s urban landscape.

 

Business and Innovation

In December 2024, Accor and Naif Alrajhi Investment announced the introduction of the TRIBE brand to Saudi Arabia, with plans to open TRIBE Riyadh King Salman Park and TRIBE Living Riyadh King Salman Park within the expansive King Salman Park project.

 

The TRIBE hotel will feature 250 rooms, two restaurants (including a rooftop dining venue), meeting facilities, and wellness amenities such as a gym and swimming pool. Adjacent to the hotel, TRIBE Living will offer 150 serviced apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, complemented by shared spaces like a clubhouse.

 


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The park's procurement processes are being enhanced through platforms like BRKZ, which recently secured a Series A1 funding round backed by BECO Capital, 9900 Capital, Knollwood Investment Advisory, and Aramco’s Waed. 

 

Under the leadership of Ibrahim Manna, BRKZ team is streamlining construction industry supply chains to support Saudi Arabia’s USD 3 trillion project pipeline, benefiting large-scale initiatives like King Salman Park and the Red Sea Project.

 

Summary

King Salman Park is a futuristic urban development in Riyadh city, set to become the world’s largest urban park. The construction of King Salman Park is progressing steadily, with significant milestones achieved, including the Royal Arts Complex and key infrastructure developments.

 

The development project, a key part of Saudi Vision 2030, will offer extensive green space, cultural attractions, and mixed-use developments, making Riyadh one of the most livable cities in the world.

 

With Saudi Arabia hosting major international events, including the FIFA World Cup, King Salman Park will play a key role in promoting sustainable urban living. Expanding partnerships, including with investors from Abu Dhabi, further solidify its role in Riyadh’s economic and cultural development.

 

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