Saudi Arabia starts construction on 'world's largest building' worth $50 billion

Saudi Arabia has begun construction on The Mukaab, a 400-meter-tall cube-shaped building. If completed, it will be the world's largest structure.

The skyscraper, in Saudi's capital Riyadh with two million square meters of floor space, is said to be large enough to hold 20 Empire State Building (New York's skyscraper).

The Mukaab's total cost will be US $50 billion and is planned to be the centrepiece of a new district in Riyadh, New Murabba. The district will have more than 25 million square meters of floor area and will comprise 104,000 homes.

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The Mukaab will be available for retail, corporate, and cultural uses.

The building was designed as a “premium hospitality destination" with a central atrium space.

It is being constructed by Saudi's New Murabba Development Company (NMDC), as part of the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The ideator of rare buildings

Cube buildings are rare to see because of their inefficient land use, but Saudi is all about its rare infrastructure.

The desert country has been the ideator of various skyscraper projects before, such as the Jeddah Tower, which was designed to be the world’s tallest skyscraper. Although, the building remains half-built after construction halted for five years in 2018.

The Line, conceived as a mirrored city in Saudi in the desert 170 kilometres long. But the building has been reportedly slashed to a mere 2.4 kilometres long for now.

New Murabba

The district is aimed to "seamlessly blend technology, innovation, and sustainability."

The district's official website said it will be a "centre of progress, creativity, and entrepreneurship while harmonising with nature's beauty and authentic culture."

(With inputs from agencies)