Gulf Construction Online - Jeddah Central’s key modules taking shape

Jeddah

The oceanarium will offer visitors a close look at the Red Sea’s marine life and highlight biodiversity conservation efforts.

Jeddah

Jeddah Central’s key modules taking shape

01 December 2024

With the award of contracts worth a total of SR12 billion ($3.2 billion) early this year, Jeddah Central Development Company (JCDC) has flagged off the main construction work on three of the four key components of its massive Jeddah Central project.

The ambitious development, which is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), is a key initiative to position the Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah as a global tourism and cultural hub.

The four contracts awarded in February this year cover the construction of the project’s three main attractions – a stadium, an opera house, and an oceanarium – as well as Phase One infrastructure and utilities.

The project’s infrastructure and utilities contract was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Arabia, JCDC said. The works will support Jeddah Central’s vision to revitalise Jeddah’s heritage while showcasing its contemporary culture, with aims to attract global tourists to the Saudi city.

Officials sign the deal for the construction of the stadium.

Modern Building Leaders Company secured the contracts to build both the oceanarium and the opera house. The oceanarium is intended to offer visitors a close look at the Red Sea’s marine life and highlight biodiversity conservation efforts, while the opera house will feature three auditoriums built to international standards and serve as a venue for cultural events, cementing Jeddah’s position as a creative hub.

The stadium, awarded to a consortium led by China Railway Construction Corp’s Saudi branch and Sama Construction for Contracting, will accommodate 45,000 spectators, conform to FIFA specifications, and host international and local sporting events.

Modern Building Leaders is responsible for the construction of the opera house.

The fourth key component is a museum. JCDC had last year signed up British firm Heatherwick Studio to transform a decommissioned desalination plant into an industrial museum. Set to open in 2028, the museum will chronicle the industrial history of Jeddah, with exhibits on desalination processes and facilities for artists. Heatherwick Studio’s design aims to turn the plant’s turbine hall into an exhibition space and establish a creative marketplace for local artists.

The Jeddah Central project, which will span 5.7-million-sq-m plot of land overlooking the Red Sea, aims to establish a global destination with an architectural design inspired by the historical identity of Al-Balad district, reflecting the port city’s unique cultural and urban heritage. The destination will comprise six complementary districts: a Beach, Leisure and Lifestyle District; a Sports Park District, housing a comprehensive sports village; the Wellness District; a Cultural and Creativity District blending art and culture; a Marina District offering a global attraction with a unique local touch; and finally, the Central District, representing the pulsating heart of Jeddah Central.

Apart from the four key components, the destination will offer a 9.5-km waterfront, a 2.1-km sandy beach, a marina, restaurants, resorts, more than 2,700 hotel rooms, and approximately 17,000 residential units. JCDC expects the first phase of the development to open to visitors by 2027, with Phase Two scheduled for completion in 2030.

An artist’s renderings of the industrial museum ... key components of Jeddah Central.

The first phase development is located in the heart of Jeddah, between Al-Salam Royal Palace and a water desalination plant.

In a separate development, JCDC has recently signed an agreement with International Hotel Investments to establish a Corinthia hotel within the Marina District. The marina will offer berthing for local and international yachts, and is expected to include retail outlets, restaurants, and cafes.