Saudi real estate boom accelerates with mega deals at Cityscape Global

Cityscape Global exhibition opened in Riyadh on Nov. 17. X/@CSGlobalKSA
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Updated 18 November 2025
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Saudi real estate boom accelerates with mega deals at Cityscape Global

RIYADH: The 2025 edition of the Cityscape Global exhibition, which opened in Riyadh on Nov. 17, has emerged as a platform for multiple high-value project deals and announcements in the real estate sector. 

On the opening day, Majid Al-Hogail, Saudi Arabia’s minister of municipal and rural affairs and housing, announced real estate agreements and deals exceeding SR161.2 billion ($42.3 billion), reflecting the continued expansion of the Kingdom’s property market. 

Strengthening the real estate sector is a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, as the Kingdom accelerates efforts to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on crude revenues. 

The Real Estate General Authority expects the domestic market to reach $101.62 billion by 2029, with an anticipated compound annual growth rate of 8 percent from 2024. 

The latest edition of Cityscape Global also saw multiple agreements signed by leading property players. 

NHC inks deal with Mountain View  




SPA

National Housing Co. signed a SR2.64 billion agreement with Egypt-based Mountain View Co. to develop an integrated real estate project, including commercial components, in Riyadh’s Al-Fursan district, SPA reported. 

The project covers more than 930,000 sq. meters and includes 1,923 villa-type residential units within an integrated urban environment. 

Al-Fursan is the largest NHC destination in the Kingdom, spanning more than 35 million sq. meters and featuring over 50,000 housing units. 

In a separate statement, Mountain View said its partnership with NHC underscores both parties’ commitment to transforming the Kingdom’s real estate landscape by delivering a residential project of global standards that supports urban development goals and enhances quality of life under Saudi Vision 2030. 

Hassan Allam Holding partners with NHC 

In another major deal, NHC signed a SR3 billion residential real estate development agreement with Hassan Allam Holding to develop a mixed-use project in Riyadh’s Khozam district. 

The project spans more than 200,000 sq. meters and includes 2,600 residential units and mixed-use commercial components, according to SPA. 

In a separate press statement, Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, said: “This milestone reflects our confidence in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic real estate sector and our commitment to long-term investment in the Kingdom.”  

He added: “For decades, we have delivered landmark projects that connect people, infrastructure, and opportunity. Through this partnership with NHC, we are bringing that legacy to Riyadh, building communities that combine sustainable design with lasting value for residents.”  

Makkah Gate Development Deal 




SPA

NHC signed a sub-development agreement with Turkish developer Emlak Konut to build several allocated plots within the Makkah Gate destination. 

SPA reported that the agreement covers 255,000 sq. meters and includes more than 1,000 residential villas. 

The partnership strengthens investment ties between Saudi Arabia and Turkiye and reflects NHC’s efforts to attract leading international developers to the Kingdom. 

MoU with Almana Group of Hospitals 

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Municipalities and Housing signed a joint memorandum of understanding with Almana Group of Hospitals to enable investment and commercial opportunities and develop projects with both health and urban dimensions. 

The MoU allows Almana Group to review available investment opportunities, assess feasibility, and evaluate optimal site use. 

It also includes cooperation on health and service-related developments within the real estate ecosystem, supporting integrated urban environments with medical and community facilities aimed at improving quality of life. 

“The signing of this MoU comes as an extension of the efforts of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing to stimulate partnerships with the private sector to develop municipal and health services, and enhance the health sector’s investments in major development projects, in line with the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” reported SPA.  

MoU to elevate sports projects 

The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing also signed an MoU with the Ministry of Sports to develop the Kingdom’s urban environment through sports projects and related initiatives. 

“This partnership between the two ministries will contribute to providing an attractive investment environment in the sports sector, enhancing the urban landscape in the Kingdom’s cities through the development of high-quality public spaces and open parks, and designing them in accordance with the needs of sports and community activities,” said SPA.  

The agreement will expand private sector participation in developing and managing sports facilities within public parks and unlock new investment opportunities for specialized sports spaces. 

Cooperation areas include developing zones around sports stadiums and improving public access to sports activities, as Saudi Arabia prepares to host major tournaments including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. 


Saudi ports brace for cargo surge as shipping lines reroute

Updated 09 March 2026
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Saudi ports brace for cargo surge as shipping lines reroute

RIYADH: Preliminary estimates suggest that several global shipping lines could reroute part of their operations to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea ports, potentially adding 250,000 containers and 70,000 vehicles per month, according to Rayan Qutub, head of the Logistics Council at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with Al-Eqtisadiah.

“Any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz not only affects maritime traffic in the Arabian Gulf but could also reshape global trade routes,” Qutub said, highlighting the strait’s status as one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for energy and goods transport.

With rising regional tensions, international shipping companies are reassessing their routes, adjusting shipping lines, or exploring alternative sea lanes. This signals that the current challenges extend beyond the Arabian Gulf, impacting the global supply chain as a whole.

Limited impact on US, European shipments

The effects of these developments will not be uniform across trade routes. Qutub noted that goods from China and India, which rely heavily on routes through the Arabian Gulf, are most vulnerable to disruption. In contrast, shipments from Europe and the US typically traverse western maritime routes via the Suez Canal and the Red Sea, making them less susceptible to regional disturbances.

Saudi Arabia’s strategic location, he emphasized, strengthens the resilience of regional trade. The Kingdom operates an integrated network of Red Sea ports — including Jeddah, Rabigh, Yanbu, and Neom — that have benefited from substantial infrastructure upgrades and technological enhancements in recent years, boosting their capacity to absorb increased cargo volumes.

Red Sea bookings

Several major carriers, including MSC, CMA CGM, and Maersk, have already opened bookings to Saudi Red Sea ports, signaling a shift in operational focus to these strategically positioned hubs.

However, Qutub warned that rerouted shipments could increase sailing times. Cargo from Asia, which normally takes 30-45 days, might now require longer voyages via the Cape of Good Hope and the Mediterranean, potentially extending transit to 60-75 days in some cases.

These changes are also reflected in rising shipping costs, driven by longer routes, higher fuel consumption, and increased insurance premiums — a typical response when global trade patterns shift due to geopolitical pressures.

Qutub emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics sector is managing these developments through coordinated government oversight. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Logistics National Committee, and the Logistics Partnership Council recently convened to evaluate the impact on trade and supply chains. Regular weekly meetings have been established to monitor developments and implement solutions to safeguard the stability of supplies and continuity of trade.

He noted that the Kingdom’s logistical readiness is the result of long-term strategic investments, encompassing ports, airports, road networks, rail systems, and logistics zones. Today, Saudi logistics integrates maritime, land, rail, and air transport, enabling a resilient response to global disruptions.

Qutub also highlighted the need for the private sector to continuously review logistics and crisis management strategies, develop alternative plans, and manage strategic stockpiles. Such measures are essential to mitigate temporary fluctuations in global trade and ensure smooth supply chain operations.