Gaby
The cubic skyscraper Mukaab — not the tallest, but planned to be the most massive building in the world — could theoretically hold the equivalent of 20 Empire State Buildings. Designed by Atkins Réalis, it is scheduled for completion in 2030.
The developer, New Murabba Development Company, says Mukaab will be the centerpiece of the new business district “New Murabba,” which will cover 19 square kilometers in northwest Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
The developer — funded by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) — recently announced that earthworks at the site are nearly complete. That marks the official start of Mukaab’s construction. The project is estimated to cost $50 billion.
What Makes Mukaab Special?
The cube will measure 400 meters on each side — height, width, and length. Bloomberg has called it the “largest built structure in the world,” a title previously held by the Boeing Everett factory in the United States.
Inside the cube, a massive atrium will rise almost to the roof, with a spiral tower at its center that will house a luxury hotel. Around the tower, within two million square meters, there will be residential apartments, shops, and cultural, entertainment, and tourist facilities. A park will cover the roof of the giant cube, Dezeen reports.
The skyscraper’s facade will reflect a national design, featuring overlapping triangular shapes decorated with traditional patterns.
The developer says New Murabba will include more than 100,000 homes, 980,000 square meters of retail space, and 1.4 million square meters of office space. It will also include hotels, a university, a museum, and an immersive theater.
Mukaab is one of 14 giga-projects currently underway in Saudi Arabia, the most famous and controversial being Neom.
