Roshn breaks ground on key mixed-use project in Jeddah
RIYADH, February 18, 2024
Roshn Group, a leading real estate developer and PIF-owned giga-project, has broken ground on its premium development, Marafy, featuring numerous facilities and diverse experiences as well as homes with unique designs.
Roshn’s most ambitious mixed-use development yet, Marafy is an 11.8-million-sq-m, human-centric, and transformative mixed-use project that marries the developer’s signature 'new way of living' with an iconic urban canal – the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia.
The 11-km-long Red Sea-fed canal will add an exciting new dimension to Roshn’s signature prioritisation of walkability, cyclability, and multi-modal transport systems, providing a waterfront spine which will serve as the centrepiece of the immersive urban quarter, said a statement from the developer.
This unique new global destination brings waterfront living and a rich diversity of world-class retail, entertainment, hospitality and experiential infrastructure to Jeddah, positioning the city to become one of the top 100 liveable cities worldwide, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals, it added.
Earlier TradeArabia had reported that on completion, it will accommodate over 130,000 residents.
The groundbreaking was held under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Governor of Makkah Region, and in the presence of Prince Saud bin Mishaal Al Saud, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region and Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah, as well as other senior officials.
Hosted by Roshn Group CEO David Grover alongside Roshn’s senior leadership, Marafy was brought to life at the ground-breaking ceremony.
The immersive show experience provided spectators with a vision for the development’s future, showcasing the planned installation of the 11km canal serving as the centrepiece of the community and its urban areas.
The event also highlighted the central role that Marafy’s waterfront experiences will play in revitalising the urban landscape, connecting the Red Sea to the heart of the city of Jeddah.
Connected to Roshn’s Alarous residential community, Marafy will offer a vibrant mix of commercial, cultural, land and water activities, retail, food andf beverages (F&B), hospitality, and leisure spaces, including a dedicated innovation zone, which will seamlessly integrate live, work and play experiences.
The canal will add an exciting new dimension to Roshn multimodal transport strategy, with water taxis creating a direct connection from the main canal to King Abdulaziz International Airport, as well as allowing journeys between Marafy’s various destinations, said Roshn in a statement.
Marafy’s ground-breaking ceremony signals a significant step towards the creation of a global destination while serving as a testament to Roshn Group’s speed, scale, and growing momentum to deliver diverse lifestyle destinations and experiences to the kingdom.
Roshn had last year awarded a contract worth SAR690 million ($188 million) to Saudi group PC Marine Services for the canal and bridge construction within the Marafy community, which will connect to Alarous in Jeddah.-TradeArabia News Service
