Gulf Construction Online - Lifestyle, entertainment hubs launched at Neom

Saudi Focus

The 64-m-high entrance of Utamo.

Lifestyle, entertainment hubs launched at Neom

01 January 2024

Neom last month unveiled two key projects within the sustainable futuristic city taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia – Norlana, an ultra-modern active lifestyle community, and Utamo, its immersive destination for art and entertainment.

This comes close on the heels of NEOM’s recent launches – Leyja, Epicon and Siranna – which are also sustainable tourism destinations located in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Norlana will feature 711 residential properties, including deluxe mansions, spacious apartments and beach villas integrated with the surrounding dunes, bringing residents closer to serene nature. It will create a unique environment where an exclusive community of 3,000 residents will enjoy contemporary luxury fused with advanced technology, setting a pioneering standard for sustainable modern living, said Neom.

Furthermore, a spectacular 18-hole golf course will be established, with an equestrian and polo centre with world-class facilities nearby. Norlana’s amenities also cater to a diverse range of water sports including sailing and diving, it stated. The development will boast a state-of-the-art 120-berth marina that will serve as an international hub for superyachts, with water taxi services available for residents and guests.

Utamo will be an innovative event space to host global artists. Cocooned in a mountain located along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, Utamo creates a unique backdrop for music events, exhibitions, and art activations that will transform traditional entertainment experiences. Combining natural beauty and technology, the venue has been designed to be a place where art and architecture blend harmoniously.

Guests will arrive at Utamo via an extended pathway of a garden promenade, featuring more than 50 species of shrubs, herbs and flowers, before reaching the grand hall. The 64-m-high entrance sets the scene for the awe-inspiring experiences awaiting guests inside.

Utamo’s multipurpose performance space, VIP lounges, and signature restaurants will make it one of the world’s most exclusive event spaces, as it plays host to performances from the globe’s greatest artists.

Meanwhile, a consortium of Saudi Archirodon, a leading construction group with expertise in the marine and infrastructure fields, and leading Belgian offshore energy and dredging contractor DEME, has secured the second phase of transformation work at the Port of Neom, the primary seaport of entry to northwest Saudi Arabia.

Based in Oxagon, Port of Neom is strategically located along the coast of the Red Sea and is adjacent to the nearby Suez Canal, through which 13 per cent of global trade passes.