Situated on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, the Red Sea Project, supported entirely by the Saudi Arabia government and helmed by the Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), is part of the country’s Vision 2030 plan. One of the world’s largest regenerative projects, it spans nearly 11,000 square miles across an archipelago of 90 islands, most of which will remain untouched to conserve biodiverse habitats.
On track to become the Middle East’s first LEED Platinum development, it will embrace renewable energy and construction materials when the first phase is completed in 2023. “We want to disrupt the islands as little as possible,” says Melissa Messmer, senior interior architecture director at TRSDC, pointing out that all building is taking place offsite.
Lush Shurayrah, the centerpiece island that London-based Foster + Partners has conceived of as a coral bloom, will bring together 11 luxury hotels crafted by industry heavyweights Rockwell Group, Meyer Davis, and Jouin Manku. Phase one will also include the Foster + Partners-designed Southern Dunes 40-villa resort; an airport; and the fully operational construction village, housing the 10,000 workers building this impressive architectural feat.
Once completed in 2030, expect 50 resorts with 8,000 rooms, 1,000-plus residential properties, luxury marinas, golf courses, and more. “Our goal is to make those beautiful villages that already exist along the coastline thrive again,” Messmer says. “It’s not just us coming in and creating a massive tourist destination but [creating] a self-sustained entity.”
This article originally appeared in HD’s August 2021 issue.
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