AECOM and Jacobs Joint Venture to Design Riyadh's Landmark Mukaab Project

AECOM and Jacobs Secure Design Contract for The Mukaab

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – A joint venture comprising leading infrastructure firms AECOM and Jacobs has been officially appointed by the New Murabba Development Company to deliver comprehensive design services for The Mukaab, a groundbreaking project set to become an iconic landmark in Riyadh. The appointment was announced on November 5, 2025.

The Mukaab will serve as the centerpiece of the ambitious New Murabba downtown development, a significant undertaking within Saudi Arabia's overarching Vision 2030 program. This initiative aims to diversify the nation's economy and foster a sustainable, connected, and human-centered urban future.

Visionary Design and Monumental Scale

The Mukaab is envisioned as a colossal cube-shaped structure, measuring 400 meters tall, 400 meters wide, and 400 meters long. Upon its completion, it is projected to be one of the world's largest single-built structures by volume, encompassing approximately 2 million square meters (22 million square feet) of interior floor space. Reports suggest its interior could accommodate the equivalent of 20 Empire State Buildings.

The design draws inspiration from the traditional Najdi architectural style of central Saudi Arabia, while integrating cutting-edge digital and immersive technologies. The interior is planned to feature enormous holographic projections, designed to create immersive experiences for visitors, alongside a swirling tower housing observation decks and restaurants.

Scope of Services and Project Impact

Under the agreement, the joint venture will be responsible for the design of The Mukaab itself, as well as its surrounding podium areas. This includes critical infrastructure, road tunnels, the Mukaab Core, wadi podiums, and the public realm.

Lara Poloni, AECOM's president, stated, 'The Mukaab is a powerful example of what's possible when visionary ambition meets world-class technical expertise.' Hamed Zaghw, chief executive of AECOM's Middle East and Africa region, added that the project 'reaffirms our commitment to supporting Vision 2030 through the delivery of large-scale, transformational projects that create long-lasting impact in the Kingdom.' Bob Pragada, Jacobs Chief Executive Officer, highlighted that contributing to The Mukaab represents 'an extraordinary opportunity to redefine the urban experience at the heart of Riyadh.'

The Broader New Murabba Development

The Mukaab is a central component of the larger New Murabba development, a new downtown district spanning 14.1 square kilometers in northwest Riyadh. This extensive project, overseen by the New Murabba Development Company—a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—aims to create a vibrant mixed-use environment.

The development is slated to include over 100,000 residential units, 980,000 square meters of retail space, 1.4 million square meters of office space, along with hotels, cultural venues, a university, an immersive theatre, and an iconic museum. The first phase of the New Murabba project is targeted for completion by 2030, coinciding with the goals of Vision 2030. Groundworks for The Mukaab were reported to be 86% complete as of late 2024/early 2025, with construction having commenced in 2024.