Master developer Thakher Development Company has announced that works on the first phase of its $7bn Thakher Makkah development is almost complete.
The project spans an area of 320,000sqm on a site located one kilometer from the Grand Mosque and is said to be one of the largest projects in Makkah. On full completion it will include about 100 land plots for the development for hotels and residential, commercial, and service-related facilities.
The residential and hotel apartments units will be available in various categories, and will be also available for ownership, said a statement from the developer.
The development is poised to host a number of international hotels including the Radisson Hotel, the Park Inn by Radisson, and the Novotel Hotel, and will boast the world’s largest number of hotel rooms, the developer noted.
“The Thakher Makkah project contributes to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, which aims to host 30mn Umrah performers and six million pilgrims by 2030. The project will provide a wonderful experience for visitors and residents, as it is only a few minutes’ walk from the Grand Mosque, and a few kilometers away from the holy sites of Muzdalifah, Mina and Arafat. This ensures a comfortable stay and smooth transfers,” said Engineer Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Aboudi, CEO of Thakher Development Company.
A shopping centre within the project will contain 124 international and local brand stores, and offer various options for shoppers, including an entertainment centre for children, cafes and restaurants from different international cuisines. The project, which provides up to 10,000 car parking lots, will contain a mosque that accommodates 5,000 worshippers. The development’s infrastructure will include a road network, tunnels, pavements, landscaping, as well as shopping areas, restaurants, and cafes, the statement added.
Al-Aboudi added, “We are committed to developing the infrastructure and masterplan according to the specified timeline for both, and soon we will be sharing more details and figures about the work progress and the project’s many economic and non-economic advantages.”
Once complete, Thakher Makkah is expected to create 15,000 direct jobs and 18,000 indirect jobs. The second phase is scheduled for delivery in 2024.