An Immersive Architectural Marvel

Saudi Arabia is reshaping the face of its capital with the bold New Murabba plan, at the heart of which stands the Mukaab — a cubic skyscraper that promises to redefine Riyadh’s skyline and surpass all previous records in size and innovation.

Construction of the Mukaab is progressing at an extraordinary pace. The project is a 400-meter-tall cubic tower with sides of equal length, making it the largest building in the world by volume. Inside, it will house a spiraling central structure with a capacity equivalent to 20 Empire State Buildings.

What Mukaab Will Include

The Mukaab will offer two million square meters of space for commercial, cultural, and entertainment purposes, as well as a 500-room hotel. Michael Dyke, CEO of the project, stated:

“The Mukaab is designed to become a landmark on Riyadh’s skyline, comparable to the greatest architectural symbols of world capitals.”

Construction Progress

So far, 86% of the excavation for the foundations has been completed, using about 250 excavators and 400 machines daily. Over 10 million cubic meters of soil have been moved — equivalent to the volume of 4,000 Olympic swimming pools. Sustainable methods are being employed to manage the materials.

A temporary bridge is planned above King Khalid Road to reduce the flow of heavy trucks, potentially avoiding around 800,000 trips, easing pressure on the road network, and improving safety.

An Immersive “Experiential” Building

The Mukaab will also be an immersive space, with walls capable of projecting images that transport visitors to other worlds. As Dyke explains:

“You could go to sleep in the Serengeti and wake up in New York.”

The exterior design will be inspired by traditional Najdi architecture and will form the centerpiece of New Murabba — an urban development designed for 400,000 residents. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2030, the year Saudi Arabia will host Expo 2030.