Diriyah Square, the commercial heart of the Diriyah giga-project being developed by Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) in Riyadh, has won top honours at the Global RLI Awards under the prestigious Future Project category.

 

The Global RLI Awards is an international awards event held annually in Riyadh to celebrate excellence in the retail and leisure industry, with project entrants from all around the world. 

 

Nestled around the historic Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

World Heritage site of At Turaif and adjacent to the lush Wadi Hanifah, Diriyah is set to become the

renewed cultural and historic capital of the nation and one of the greatest gathering places in the world.

 

Designed and built with Saudi heritage and culture in mind, Diriyah will soon become a unique mustsee destination.

 

Spread over a sprawling 180,000 sq m area, Diriyah Square will be Saudi Arabia’s foremost retail and lifestyle mixed-use development – located just 15 minutes from downtown Riyadh.

 

The project clinched the first place in the 2022 awards ceremony amongst fierce competition in the Future Project category.

 

The RLI Awards was held following the two-day RLI Connect Global deal-making forum, which brought

together hundreds of investors, developers, franchise partners and retailers from shopping malls and 

developments across the Kingdom, GCC region and beyond.

 

For nine years, the RLI Awards have taken place in various cities around the world including London,

Dubai and Los Angeles. 

 

Given the abundance of opportunities for retail, leisure and entertainment, and the vast number of world-class projects putting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on a global stage, Riyadh was chosen as RLI’s host city for 2022.

 

On the big recognition, Vice President Mohamed Saad said: "We would like to thank RLI for acknowledging Diriyah Square with the Future Project award. This accolade not only recognizes Diriyah Square as a world leading retail and lifestyle development, but also the work of the talented DGDA team bringing this premier destination to life."

 

Diriyah Square will be an uncompromisingly bold destination, bringing together wonderful experiences, while hosting over 400 of the world’s finest luxury and lifestyle brands, complemented by an additional 100 Saudi concepts, remarked Saad. 

 

"The district will deliver a complete lifestyle offering from leisure and entertainment offerings to luxurious hotels, and modern places to work and live that resonate with and celebrate the traditional Najdi architecture and spirit of Diriyah, all within a pedestriancentric environment," he added.

 

Lauding DGDA for the award win, Jayne Rafter, Founder of RLI Connect said: "I am thrilled to see Diriyah Square win ‘RLI Future Project’. Diriyah, as the KSA’s foremost heritage and culture mixed-use

development, it truly celebrates excellence and is a window into tomorrow’s world-class destinations

that will challenge and inspire the future of retail and leisure."

 

With construction well underway for the Diriyah masterplan, the project is already making final preparations to launch its first asset, Bujairi Terrace, set to become Riyadh's premiere dining destination, before the end of 2022. 

 

Bujairi Terrace will provide a carefully curated mix of over 20 worldclass dining experiences celebrating the best local flavors and international cuisines. 

 

Brands include four Michelin-star restaurants – Chez Bruno, Tatel, Hakkasan and Long Chim – as well as a meticulous offering of local Saudi culinary experiences that will ground the culinary offerings in local Saudi culture.

 

The Saudi restaurant offerings include brands such as Maiz with its authentic Saudi cuisine derived

from each of the Kingdom’s 13 provinces; Takya, the first Saudi-owned fine dining restaurant serving

Saudi cuisine and capturing the heart of Saudi cooking with its contemporary dishes; and Sum + Things,

a Saudi brand created in collaboration with the renowned Chef Izu.-TradeArabia News Service