Riyadh - Mubasher: Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) on Tuesday announced the beginning of development works on the first phase of its SAR 75 billion ($20 billion) development pipeline, Diriyah Gate.

Upon completion, the Diriyah Gate GIGA project will feature a display of world-class cultural, entertainment, retail, hospitality, educational, office and residential areas, comprising more than 20 hotels, a diverse collection of museums, a bustling retail hub and over 100 dining places, according to a press release.

Moreover, it will comprise most of the kingdom's walkable collection of heritage and culture offerings.

The historic destination will also be home to a population of 100,000 and is expected to attract 25 million visitors annually.

The Bujairi District will be one of the first areas to benefit from the transformation, with plans to improve the infrastructure and enhance the quality of life.

Furthermore, it will be home to Riyadh’s new premium dining hub.

The initial activity on the ground includes the commencement of complex below-ground infrastructure projects, resulting in three kilometres of tunnels and 10,500 car parking spaces, utilising 1.2 million cubic meters of concrete.  

In this regard, the CEO of DGDA, Jerry Inzerillo, said: “There is only one Diriyah. Our project breaking ground is a key milestone and step towards Vision 2030. We are overjoyed to take the first steps in our construction phase, moving from vision to reality.”

Meanwhile, chief design and development officer at DGDA, Jonathan Timms, added, “On completion, the development will embody a new way of living for Diriyah’s residents and the greater Riyadh community – comprising a sophisticated intersection of authentic Najdi-style living coupled with world-class amenities, all within the convenience of a mixed-use urban community.”