Construction has officially begun on The Mukaab (Arabic for “The Cube”), a monumental cube-shaped skyscraper set to become the world’s largest building by volume. The colossal structure is the centerpiece of the New Murabba downtown development in Riyadh, a key part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to diversify its economy.
The Mukaab is planned to be 400 meters high, 400 meters wide, and 400 meters long, with a staggering two million square meters of floor space—a size that developers say could theoretically hold 20 Empire State Buildings inside.
The $50 billion project, backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will house a world of its own, blending residential, retail, cultural, and entertainment spaces. Its interior will feature a massive central atrium with a spiraling tower and cutting-edge holographic projections designed to create fully immersive digital experiences for visitors and residents.
The exterior of the cube is inspired by the modern Najdi architectural style, reflecting the region’s heritage. The larger New Murabba development is designed to be a “human-first” community with extensive green spaces and all essential amenities within a 15-minute walk.
As of recent updates, groundwork for The Mukaab is significantly underway, with millions of cubic meters of earth excavated. The project is being managed by the New Murabba Development Company and is scheduled for completion by 2030. The Mukaab and the New Murabba district are projected to contribute over $51 billion to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
The development is one of several ambitious “giga-projects” currently being pursued by the Kingdom, aiming to redefine its global image as a hub for innovation and sustainable urban living.
