Construction & Real Estate

Al Basateen launches $582.3m mixed-use project at Cityscape

Al Basateen, a leading Saudi real estate developer, has unveiled its most ambitious project yet, Kings’ Square, at Cityscape Global, which concludes tomorrow in Riyadh.

The SAR2-billion ($582.3 million) mixed-use development is strategically located on a 35,000 sq m plot at the intersection of King Fahd Road and King Salman Road in the Saudi capital and offers a blend of residential, retail, F&B, and commercial spaces.

Speaking to Gulf Construction, Eng Ibrahim AlKharji, Deputy CEO of Al Basateen, highlighted the project's unique selling points, including its prime location, diverse offerings, and commitment to sustainability.

“Kings’ Square is a truly transformational project for Riyadh,” said AlKharji. “Located in one of the most vibrant areas of modern Riyadh, it will serve as the northern gateway to the city. Its strategic location at the nexus of two of Riyadh’s most important roads means that it is closely connected to the capital’s downtown and commercial hearts.

“Just 15 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, a mere 10 minutes’ drive from the heart of Riyadh, and directly opposite the forthcoming Avenues Mall, Kings’ Square will create a dynamic new ecosystem of corporate headquarters, commercial enterprises, and upscale amenities,” he added.

Kings’ Square comprises a cluster of 12 towers with a built-up area of 240,000 sq m, comprising 91,550 sq m of office space, 29,960 sq m of residential area and the remaining retail, F&B facilities and basement parking.

"This mixed-use strategy will ensure that the development remains lively throughout the day, fostering a dynamic urban community," AlKharji remarked.

The project is supported by ample parking with a dedicated parking tower and basement parking beneath the entire footprint of the site, robust public transport links, and pedestrian access to the surrounding amenities.

“There will be three expansive, tree-lined courtyards strategically placed amongst the towers, creating peaceful spaces for relaxation and social connection. The size, placement, and configuration of the courtyards and the surrounding buildings have been meticulously mapped to provide shade during the hottest parts of the day, utilising solar exposure studies and the careful placement of foliage throughout,” AlKharji points out.

Al Basateen has partnered with Riyad Capital to secure a SAR2 billion fund for the development – a deal that was formally signed at Cityscape Global.

AlKharji commented: “We are delighted to announce the establishment of a SAR2 billion fund in partnership with Riyad Capital, the largest fund ever raised by Al Basateen. We see this investment – and the resulting Kings’ Square project - as major contributions to Saudi Arabia’s positioning as a major international real estate player, creating iconic and innovative projects that transform living experiences and enrich communities while supporting economic growth and diversification.”  

The company is collaborating with the renowned architectural firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) to design the project, which will incorporate sustainable features and technologies.

Regarding the timeline for implementing the project, AlKharji stated that Al Basateen is working closely with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) on the final details and necessary approvals. The tenders and ground-breaking announcements will follow swiftly after this process is completed, he added.

Al Basateen is known for its previous projects, such as Al Basateen District, a 441,000-sq-m residential community in Diriyah, which features 200 luxurious villas. Additionally, the company has developed commercial projects such as Al Basateen Offices and Palm View, which offer distinctive spaces designed to ensure comfort and productivity for tenants.-TradeArabia News Service.

 

 

 

 

Construction & Real Estate

Liebherr secures big crane order from Bahraini group Haji Hassan

Liebherr, a leading manufacturer of tower- and mobile construction cranes, has announced that it has received a major order from Bahrain-based Haji Hassan Cranes for supply of a LTM 1160-5.2 mobile crane and two LTM 1090-4.2 cranes.
 
A leading crane and lifting company in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Haji Hassan Cranes, has set itself the goal of meeting most of the country's demand for mobile cranes. The company has 30 employees and a fleet that includes all-terrain cranes with lifting capacities from 50 tonnes to 500 tonnes.
 
This significant investment by Haji Hassan comes as part of its fleet modernisation strategy. With this, the company now boasts 13 mobile cranes.
 
Haji Hassan Cranes plan to use these newly added cranes for their upcoming infrastructure development projects in the kingdom.
 
Manaf Al Sarabi, General Manager at Haji Hassan Cranes, said the group had picked up Liebherr mobile cranes for its quality, reliability and durability.
 
"Our previous purchases from Liebherr, the LTM 1500 8.1 and the LTM 1070-4.2, have proved to be a wise decision. Thanks to these cranes, we were able to safely plan and execute a wide range of lifting operations, giving us a competitive advantage in the market," he stated.
 
As part of its fleet modernisation plans, Al Sarabi said it was once again relying on the tried-and-tested crane manufacturer.
 
"The outstanding quality and reliability of both Liebherr cranes and Liebherr management are second to none," he added.
 
He pointed out the support they had received from Liebherr in terms of technical advice and supplies of spare parts which had boosted their confidence in the brand. 
 
"Liebherr customer service supports us around the clock. We also appreciate their transparency in all transactions," he added.
 
On the selection of LTM 1160-5.2 model, the Bahraini group said this crane type will fill the current gap between a 120-tonne and a 300-tonne crane and expand the company's range of services. 
 
The LTM 1160-5.2 offers an enormous maximum load capacity of 180 tonnes and is also characterised by its versatile range of applications. The two LTM 1090-4.2s will replace two ageing 80-tonne-cranes and bring the fleet up to date, it stated. 
 
Deepak Pillai, Operations Supervisor at Haji Hassan Cranes, said: "The 90-tonners impressed us with their short set-up time, 60-metre main boom and outstanding lifting performance. This enables us to carry out even the most challenging lifting operations safely and quickly."
 
"Both crane types are also characterised by Liebherr's innovative VarioBase and VarioBallast technologies," he explained.
 
"As Haji Hassan Cranes is involved in almost every major construction project in Bahrain, the new cranes will be used in a wide variety of areas," noted Pillai. 
 
"This includes lifting jobs in oil refineries, steelworks and petrochemical plants, general construction work, the assembly of prefabricated concrete parts, loading work, extensions of sewage treatment plants and the handling of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems," he added.-TradeArabia News Service

Construction & Real Estate

RAK nets $688m in real estate sales amid property boom

The real estate market in Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed unprecedented growth, with transaction volumes skyrocketing by nearly 25,000% over the past seven years, according to the latest data from the Ras Al Khaimah Statistics Centre.
 
The total value of real estate transactions in June 2024 reached an astonishing AED2.53 billion ($688 million) - an exponential leap from just AED10 million ($2.72 million) in June 2017.
 
Similarly, mortgage values have soared, recording AED3.47 billion in July 2024, compared to AED15.8 million in July 2017 - an unprecedented increase of approximately 21,849%.
 
 This surge underscores the growing investor confidence and the emirate’s rising prominence as a real estate powerhouse, said Andrei Charapenak, the CEO of Major Developers, a leading developer in Ras Al Khaimah.
 
"Ras Al Khaimah is no longer an emerging player, it has cemented itself as a prime investment destination. The staggering increase in real estate transactions and mortgage values reflects the emirate’s economic momentum, fuelled by visionary leadership, strategic infrastructure developments, and a strong appetite for premium residential and commercial spaces," he noted.
 
The surge in transactions, he stated ,comes at a time when Ras Al Khaimah is attracting heightened interest due to its strategic initiatives, including the expansion of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, hospitality and entertainment investments, and a strong push toward sustainable urban development.
 
"We are seeing a paradigm shift in investor sentiment - luxury, sustainability, and lifestyle integration are driving purchasing decisions. Major Developers is committed to shaping the future of real estate in Ras Al Khaimah," he added.-TradeArabia News Service