Construction work has begun on the ‘world’s largest building’, which will be big enough to hold 20 Empire State Buildings.
Predicted to cost £39 billion, the cube-shaped Mukaab supertall skyscraper in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, will be 400 metres high, meaning it will be the world’s largest building when construction is completed.
Scheduled to be erected to the northwest of central Riyadh, groundworks on the 19-square-kilometre development are now 86 percent complete, according to developer New Murabba Development Company. The building is being funded by Saudi Arabia’s central Public Investment Fund.
The project is set to be completed in six years in 2030, according to the Saudi Arabian government.
The cube-shaped building will be enclosed in a facade made of overlapping triangular forms and will contain two million square metres of shops, a roof garden and cultural and tourist attractions.
Inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style, its structure was designed to integrate technological advancements to create an immersive destination.
However, the design has been the subject of some criticism for its similarity to the Kaaba at the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Mecca.
Standing at an impressive 400 metres in height, the cube-shaped building will officially claim the title of the tallest structure in Riyadh, dominating the skyline with its equal 400-metre sides.
It will sit at the centre of the New Murabba development, a new downtown for Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
The New Murabba district will feature green areas and walking and cycling paths in a bid to create more sustainable transport alternatives.
The neighbourhood is designed to offer living, working, and entertainment facilities within a 15-minute walking radius. It will also have its own internal transportation system.
While the Mukaab skyscraper promises to be a symbol of modernity and progress, it joins a roster of mega projects, including the controversial Neom development, currently under scrutiny for their environmental impact.
