JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Square project has awarded a $600 million contract to Italian construction firm Webuild, marking a major step forward for the Kingdom’s heritage-driven development.
The contract, awarded to a subsidiary of the Italian group — Salini Saudi Arabia — covers the construction of 70 buildings and public spaces within the mixed-use development, which forms part of the broader Diriyah master plan.
With this latest award, Webuild’s total involvement in the sit, known as the City of Earth, now stands at roughly $2 billion, the company said in a statement.
Diriyah Square is a central component of Diriyah Co.’s strategy to transform the historic district into a commercial, residential, and cultural hub.
The project is one of five giga-projects backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, aimed at reshaping the Kingdom’s economy and tourism offering under the Vision 2030 plan.
Diriyah will contribute approximately SR70 billion ($18.6 billion) directly to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product, create nearly 180,000 jobs and will be home to an estimated 100,000 people.
Diriyah Co.’s group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “Diriyah Square is one of our most exciting, anticipated and prestigious districts, and we are extremely pleased to have signed with Salini to deliver it, bringing their immense global experience to the table.”
He added that this marks another important milestone in their development journey, paving the way for Diriyah Square’s retail spaces to welcome a diverse range of visitors — from nearby residential communities and surrounding office hubs to the millions who visit each year.
The contract covers Package 3 Finishing and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, delivering a pedestrian-friendly environment in traditional Najdi style across 365,000 sq. meters. Webuild is also working on the 10,500-space underground parking facility, awarded in 2022 and currently 55 percent complete, alongside structural packages 3, 6, and 7.
According to Diriyah Co., the project aims to create a retail district showcasing 400 brands across retail, leisure, and dining.
In a statement released by Webuild, CEO Pietro Salini said: “We are proud to be able to contribute to a project of such symbolic and strategic value for Saudi Arabia. Our presence in the Kingdom will be further strengthened by work that will have a positive impact on the area as well as the local community.”
He added that the company has operated in Saudi Arabia since 1966 and has completed more than 90 projects.
“We continue to support the country to develop some of the most challenging infrastructure projects in the world, especially in sectors such as civil buildings, sustainable mobility, and desalination,” Salini said.
