India-based Shapoorji Pallonji, one of the largest engineering, procurement, and construction conglomerates in the region, has secured a contract from Saudi Arabia’s PIF-backed Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) to undertake the construction and management of its Al Hamra project.
SEVEN’s entertainment destination in Al Hamra has an investment value of more than $797.7 million (SAR3 billion) and will be developed on a land area of more than 90,000m2. The development will have a built-up area of 167,000m2 and will occupy a strategic location at the intersection of the Eastern Ring Road and King Abdullah Road.
SEVEN Al Hamra is expected to attract 6 million visitors per year by providing world-leading entertainment attractions.
Shapoorji Pallonji takes up role on a “path-breaking venture”
The construction and management agreement for SEVEN’s Al Hamra was signed by Abdullah AlDawood, chairman of SEVEN, and Vidya Sagar, vice president of Shapoorji Pallonji.
Commenting on the contract win. M.D. Saini, the managing director and CEO of Shapoorji Pallonji, said: “Saudi Arabia, through Vision 2030, has ambitions to become one of the best places to live and visit in the world. We at Shapoorji Pallonji feel honoured that SEVEN chose to partner with us on this ambitious and path-breaking venture.
“We are already executing multiple projects in Saudi Arabia and this project will certainly add significantly to our business portfolio and further establish our long-lasting legacy in Saudi Arabia.”
SEVEN Al Hamra will feature many of SEVEN’s signature entertainment experiences including an indoor hubless wheel, Wave House indoor surfing, a 10-lane bowling alley, indoor skydiving, an indoor karting racetrack, as well as cinemas, restaurants, cafes, international retail stores, and fitness.
Key attractions within SEVEN Al Hamra
- Numerous world-first entertainment attractions
- Discovery indoor adventures centre – an edutainment attraction
- Clip ‘n Climb – featuring 40 unique climbing challenges
- A Transformers themed ride-based attraction
SEVEN has partnered with international design companies including AOA, CallisonRTKL in collaboration with Thinkwell, WME, and Ellis Don to design these Saudi entertainment projects.
In addition to Al Hamra, each of the destinations developed by SEVEN will be located strategically across the country to serve the wider population of the kingdom for easy accessibility. The upcoming Saudi entertainment projects will be located in Riyadh, Kharj, Makkah, Jeddah, Taif, Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa, Madinah, Yanbu, Abha, Jazan, Buraidah, and Tabuk.
