Benoy unveils design for $1.8bln Saudi entertainment city

Benoy unveils design for $1.8bln Saudi entertainment city

British architecture firm Benoy has unveiled the design for ‘Konoz’, a cutting-edge entertainment city being developed by Saudi-based Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company in the heart of Riyadh at a total investment of SR7 billion ($1.86 billion).

A leading shopping mall operator in the kingdom, Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company said Konoz (Box of Jewels in Arabic) will boast an entertainment city, a luxury hotel and premium residential offering in addition to commercial, F&B and retail outlets.

The project's name, inspired by the diverse array of gemstones, embodies the visual and architectural representation of gemstones in its various zones.

Unveiling the design concept, Benoy said it brings together old and new parts of the city in an exciting new leisure destination on Riyadh’s Golden Strip.

Konoz bears a name inspired by a diverse array of gemstones and will embody the architectural representations of glittering treasure—both in its entirety and through visual cues employing gemstones in its various zones, it stated.

According to Benoy, the new scheme works as part of the wider ‘Vision 2030’, positioning Riyadh as a 24-hour destination to live, work, and shop.

It includes 50,000 sq m of state-of-the-art commercial office spaces and a 20,000 sq m entertainment city aimed at supporting Riyadh’s