PARIS, France - British architecture firm Benoy has been appointed as the lead architect for a new entertainment city project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project, named Konoz, is being developed by Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company, a leading Saudi conglomerate with interests in real estate, leisure, and tourism.
Konoz, which means “box of jewels” in Arabic, will be a mixed-use development that will include an entertainment city, a luxury hotel, premium residential offerings, commercial spaces, retail outlets, and green areas. The project aims to support Riyadh’s thriving tourism and entertainment industry and align with the wider Vision 2030 objectives of the kingdom.
Benoy said it has designed Konoz as a new leisure destination on Riyadh’s Golden Strip that will bring together old and new parts of the city. The design concept is inspired by a diverse array of gemstones and will embody the architectural representations of glittering treasures in its various zones.
The project will cover a total area of 1.4 million square meters and will feature 50,000 square meters of state-of-the-art commercial office spaces and a 20,000-square-meter entertainment city. The entertainment city will offer a range of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages, such as indoor and outdoor theme parks, cinemas, theatres, museums, sports facilities, and cultural venues.
The project will also include a 120,00 square meter commercial center that will house a variety of local and international brands, as well as food and beverage outlets. The commercial center will be connected to a world-class luxury hotel with 250 rooms, 120 serviced residential apartments and an additional 135,000 square meter residential apartment complex that will include 700 apartments.
In addition to its commercial and residential spaces, Konoz will feature 15,000 square meters of green areas that will enhance the environmental sustainability and livability of the development. The project will also provide parking for 5,500 vehicles and will be integrated with the newly developed Riyadh Metro System as part of a wider transport–oriented development for the city.
Jamie Webb, Head of EMEA at Benoy, said: “We are delighted to be working with Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company on this landmark project that will create a new destination for Riyadh and Saudi Arabia. Our design concept centers around creating an attractive, walkable district and neighborhood, where people would be able to enjoy a variety of culture and leisure activities”.
He added: “Bringing together cues from contemporary and historic Riyadh, with four key districts reflecting the different experiences of Riyadh. It will also align with the newly developed Riyadh Metro System as part of wider transport-oriented development for the city.”
Benoy has collaborated with its sister companies Pragma Consulting, Holmes Wood and Uncommon Land on the commercial strategy, placemaking strategy and landscape architecture for Konoz.
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