The Cube

Riyadh envisions a bold new district, with The Mukaab as its centerpiece

by Kaija Wilkinson
images courtesy of NMDC

Looking at renderings of The Mukaab, the cube-shaped future centerpiece of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s new New Murabba neighborhood announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2023, it is impossible to grasp its sheer scale. The neighborhood — and its unique 400-m tall, wide and long building — is part of Saudi Vision 2030. Like something out of a science fiction movie, New Murabba (opposed to the historic Riyadh neighborhood of al-Murabba) will be the world’s second climate-controlled city after Mohammed Bin Rashid City in Dubai.^[1] It is being developed by New Murabba Development Corp. (NMDC), with Montreal, Canada-based AtkinsRéalis as lead architect for The Mukaab. Ground was formally broken for New Murabba and The Mukaab — Arabic for “The Cube” — in October November 2024. 

First announced in April 2016 by the Saudi government and driven by a Public Investment Fund (PIF),^[2] Saudi Vision 2030 is a government program that aims to achieve increased diversification economically, socially and culturally, in line with the crown prince’s vision^.[3] It also aims to impress and break records, and vertical transportation (VT) is an integral part of it.

The Mukaab will be as tall (and as long and wide) as such buildings as the Guiyang International Finance Center in Guizhou Province, China (79 stories and 401 m), Egypt’s Iconic Tower in the New Administrative Capital (at 77 stories and 393.8 m the current tallest building in Africa and Egypt) and 30 Hudson Yards in NYC (73 stories and 387.1 m). It is set to be the world’s largest building by volume. It is likely to include an array of VT equipment: elevators, escalators and moving walks. 

Outlets including the Saudi Gazette reported in July that New Murabba Development Co. (NMDC) and Alat, a PIF, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore advanced, next-generation elevators and escalators for The Mukaab and the greater New Murabba development. Approximately a week later, TK Elevator (TKE) announced that it had successfully closed a EUR160-million (US$186-million) joint venture and strategic partnership with Alat, which suggests that TKE will most likely be involved, along with countless other players and suppliers. 

The latest agreement between NMDC and Alat focuses on “deploying innovative technologies to enable seamless and intelligent movement within the mega urban destination.” Transformative digital systems promise to elevate the visitor experience within The Mukaab “through cutting-edge, multi-sensory environments.” The structure, with approximately 22 million ft² of interior floor space, will house massive holographic projections that make viewers feel like they are in different realities, times and places. Projections will emanate from a swirling tower in the center of the interior housing observation decks and restaurants. With a design inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style native to Saudi Arabia’s Najdi region and characterized by thick walls and enclosed courtyards to adapt to the desert climate and provide privacy, it will also feature a rooftop garden.^[5]

Its interior will boast the latest in ergonomics and technology, and that will extend to its VT system. The collaboration between NMDC and Alat marks a strategic push to integrate “AI-powered elevators, immersive technology and smart infrastructure” into the new development and building. The partners will work together on financing strategies and initial investments in hardware and R&D. Could this be an opportunity to finally deploy TKE’s innovative MULTI system? In your author’s opinion, it’s certainly possible. Through a corporate spokesperson, TKE declined to comment specifically on The Mukaab, but did state:

“We agree that MULTI is designed for the future and, as the first demonstration of ropeless elevator technology, could be a barrier breaker in new heights and unique building designs. It’s just another example of how TKE moves beyond.”

“Combining Alat’s AI-driven VT solutions with New Murabba’s ambitious vision opens new possibilities for transformative smart city experiences.”   

— Alat CEO Amit Midha

The collaboration between NMDC and Alat also includes a feasibility study to establish high-tech manufacturing facilities in Saudi Arabia capable of supporting New Murabba and all its related components, including VT. It will evaluate post-installation services including maintenance, software updates and warranties. 

Several sources describe The Mukaab as a “gigaproject,” a project of massive size, significant investment, transformative impact, integration of technology and a focus on sustainability. New Murabba, and its signature building, The Mukaab, is one of several such gigaprojects being embarked on in Saudi Arabia, including the futuristic smart city NEOM, the luxury tourist destination the Red Sea Project and the Qiddiya entertainment and sports destination.

Alat CEO Amit Midha said the NMDC/Alat collaboration is a bold step toward enabling an urban life enhanced by technology. “Combining Alat’s AI-driven solutions with New Murabba’s ambitious vision opens new possibilities for transformative smart city experiences,” he said. The latest, most innovative VT promises to be part of those transformative experiences. 

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References

[1] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Murabba

[2] pif.gov.sa/en

[3] vision2030.gov.sa/en

[4] “New Murabba, Alat Sign MoU to Develop Next-Gen Vertical Transport for The Mukaab, Saudi Gazette, July 31, 2025. 

[5] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukaab

[6] en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings