Saudi Arabia to build skyscraper taller than 20 Empire State buildings

Saudi Arabia has announced its aim to build a skyscraper larger and taller than any building in the world, in the latest development in the Kingdom’s numerous mega-projects planned throughout the country.

According to the news outlet, Bloomberg, Saudi authorities have updated aims for the planned New Murabba district in the capital, Riyadh, with the ‘Mukaab’ building set to be at the centre of the project.

Initially designed in the structure of a cube, the building will reportedly measure 400 metres on each side and will be over 20 times taller than New York’s Empire State building. On its site, the New Murabba project describes itself as “a technological marvel and cultural icon, offering immersive experiences”, further stating that the “Mukaab combines modern Najdi architecture with immersive holographic experiences”.

Michael Dyke, chief executive officer of New Murabba, was quoted by the outlet as saying that the Mukaab is “masquerading as a building today, but it’s so much more”. He added that “We’re trying to redefine Riyadh’s skyline to leave a lasting mark for centuries to come.”

The building will reportedly feature ten attractions across 2 million square metres of floor space, and construction has already begun with over 10 million cubic metres of land having been excavated.

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