Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kingdom Centre, located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, was built by the richest Arab in the world-- Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. The Prince developed Kingdom Centre not only as the world headquarters for his business empire, but as an iconic symbol for all of Saudi Arabia. The design for Kingdom Centre took 3 years before the Prince was satisfied enough to begin construction. The result is fantastic! Kingdom Centre is the most spectacular Mega Development in all of Saudi Arabia!

According to the developer:

'Its strategic location coupled with unmatched distant visibility distinguishes Kingdom Centre from any other building in the Region. It has transformed the landscape around Riyadh's fastest-growing business and commercial district, crowning Olaya's emergence as the new centre of Riyadh, as its glittering icon rise from the district's highest and most strategic location; at the crossroads of King Fahad Expressway, Olaya Road and Orouba Road, a central location giving it unrivaled accessibility, visibility and prestige.'

Kingdom Centre has 4 major divisions:

1.) Business offices. Kingdom Centre offers the most modern and luxurious office space in all of Saudi Arabia. The offices are in the magnificent Kingdom Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia. The office tower utilizes "intelligent building" for the highest level of technological sophistication. If I decide to open an office in Saudi, it will be here!

2.) Al Mamlaka. The huge three level mall located in Kingdom Centre. You will find all the luxury brands here, and the two "anchors" of the mall are Saks Fifth Avenue and Debenhams. A unique feature of the mall is Ladies Kingdom, an entire section in the mall where only ladies are allowed to enter. Even all the staff here are female.

3.) Apartments. A large variety of luxurious 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments with plenty of upscale amenities. In my opinion, this is the place to live in Riyadh.

4.) The Four Seasons Riyadh at Kingdom Centre. A 5-Star Luxury Hotel that occupies 10 floors of Kingdom Tower. The Four Seasons offers 197 guest rooms and 52 suites, spa and fitness facilities, an outdoor pool, a full service business center and 5,500 square meters of function space and conference facilities.

Prince Alwaleed truly has created a Saudi Icon with Kingdom Centre! It is one of the finest and most well thought out Gulf mixed use Mega Projects I have ever seen. If you are in Riyadh you must see Kingdom Centre.

This YouTube video is of someone driving by Kingdom Tower. You will see just how huge it is compared to everything else around it:

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=QJuvgjXLP48&feature=related

Here is the Kingdom Centre website link:

http://www.kingdomcentre.com.sa/kc/

Here are some good photos and more information about Kingdom Centre from Emporis:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=100934

This link takes you to the Four Seasons Riyadh at Kingdom Centre:

http://www.fourseasons.com/riyadh/