Qiddiya City
Views: 61,163 Subscribe

Qiddiya is envisioned as Saudi Arabia’s capital of entertainment, sports, and arts. The Arts Complex embodies the function of art-hub both in a city and national scales. It will promote the local culture of Saudi Arabia to build a unique cultural legacy, and at the same time provide a platform for world-class cultural events. The general design approach for the Arts Complex is based on the idea of traditional Arabic downtown with its location at the crossroads and variety of functions: mosque, bazaar, public garden, caravanserai, madrasa - offering a diverse experience for visitors from all over the world.

The architectural image of the Arts Complex is inspired by the Falcon — the national symbol of Saudi Arabia flying over the Arabian desert. The wing-shaped roof creates a year-round comfortable space for leisure and art activities, simultaneously being a special digital venue with interactive installations and video-art.

https://www.facebook.com/CHBL.WdP/photos/a.165945163419085/4280693355277558

Dynamic Shape
The architectural concept of the Speed Park Stadium & Hotel is based on the
idea of the Slipstream. This creates a dynamic shape, a unique visual Image.
Sound Experience
The rich Sound of the Race Cars is reinforced due to the shaping of the
Grandstands, providing a holistic racing experience for the spectators.

https://www.facebook.com/CHBL.WdP/posts/4270758019604425

New year, new project, new office view!

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10158337273603889&set=pcb.10158337276813889

Phillipe Gas, who lead the opening of Shanghai Disneyland, has joined the Qiddiya team.

Philippe Gas has been appointed as the new chief executive officer for the Qiddiya Investment Co. (QIC), the developer of Saudi Arabia’s future capital of entertainment, sports, and the arts.

Following 30 years with The Walt Disney Co., most recently as president and managing director of Walt Disney Attractions Japan and Disneyland International, Gas will replace Qiddiya’s founding CEO Michael Reininger.

Gas was previously the CEO of Euro Disney SCA, the first tourism destination in Europe, and served in the role for seven years. He also led the launch of Shanghai Disney Resort, The Walt Disney Co.’s first theme park in mainland China and its largest international investment to date.

“Qiddiya is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to develop an unforgettable offering that will transform entertainment for an entire region and create cherished memories for current and future generations,” Gas said.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1759011/saudi-arabia

Source:
qiddiya.com official website

Qiddiya Investment Company has unveiled the much-anticipated Master Plan for Qiddiya, the “Giga-Project” being constructed on the doorstep of Riyadh that will deliver on many of the central tenets embodied in Vision 2030. Qiddiya is set to become the Kingdom’s “Capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts” with facilities and experiences that will bring together new opportunities and exposure at a scale and format never before seen.

The Master Plan for the project, created in conjunction with Bjarke Ingles Group, a Denmark-based company, was constructed with careful consideration to the natural patterns that have been etched on the site throughout history, giving rise to a green-belt network carrying visitors throughout the property on roads, bike paths and walkways built within an enhanced landscape environment.

Located just 45 km from Riyadh, the 334 square kilometer site envisions development covering only 30 percent of the land leaving the majority of the majestic site dedicated for natural conservation.

“This project sets a new global standard for the seamless integration of visitor-focused experiences and an innovative mix of program pieces, delivering an unparalleled entertainment destination”, said Bob Ward, Chairman of the Qiddiya Advisory Board.

The site is organized around five primary development nodes each with a unique purpose.

The Resort Core represents the heart of Qiddiya where four gated-attractions surround a central specialty retail, dining and entertainment district along with a portfolio of distinctive resort hotel offerings. Adjacent to the 15-hectare Retail, Dining & Entertainment district, is a major outdoor entertainment venue capable of hosting events from 5,000 to 40,000 visitors siting as a park like setting and punctuated with active skating and skiing facilities.

The 2022 opening phase features Six Flags Qiddiya, a family-oriented park filled with rides and attractions distributed throughout six themed lands. A second feature park is a water-oriented sports and entertainment attraction, which includes an integrated resort hotel.

The third feature is the “Speed Park” which brings together events and experiences from the world of motor sports in a venue that places equal emphasis on spectator and driver. The Speed Park includes tracks, showrooms, retail, a driver’s club and a luxury hotel within its gates.

Overlooking the Resort Core from its perch 200m above on the edge of the Tuwaiq escarpment, the City Centre is a mixed-use village dedicated to sports & the arts. Coupled to the entertainment core below by a funicular transportation system, residential, retail and workplace environments are organized around two intersecting pedestrian circulation spines linking a portfolio of feature facilities.

The City Centre is home to a collection of sports venues including a 20,000 seat cliff-top stadium, an 18,000 seat multi-purpose indoor arena, an aquatic centre and a sports hub capable of hosting a cross-section of individual sports activities and events.

Arts and entertainment create a buzz throughout the city as they emerge from an innovative arts centre, a signature 2,000 seat performing arts theatre and a premier multiplex cinema that dot the central walkways as primary destinations.

This 24/7 city is formed with additional uses woven into the plan. A creative campus offers workspace, media production and education facilities. A grand mosque anchors one end of the city with a place for worship and community gathering. Retail, service and dining options are delivered in a mixed use, high street setting with residences over shopfronts throughout the plan. A private school, a sports medicine hospital, and beautiful private villas along a biking/walking path on the Cliff’s Edge complete the composition.

To the North West of the Resort Core sits the Eco Core designed around a series of nature and wildlife encounters, an ecologically-sensitive golf course, outdoor sporting adventures and several unique hospitality offerings that take advantage of the picturesque desert environment.

The Motion Core to the South East of the Resort Core, will be home to events, experiences, residential and hospitality offerings that are driven by the science and technology of people in motion.

Along with a “Race Resort” where homes and club facilities provide access to a beautiful and challenging 15 km performance driving course, facilities for both on-road and off-road driving experiences, driver education and destination motor sports events will be constructed within a landscape surrounded by a mountain side backdrop.

A Golf and Residential Neighbourhood sits near the centre of the property where panoramic vistas of the project are available from an array of residential and resort offerings that include a championship 18 hole golf course and club house facilities, a luxurious resort hotel and spa and equestrian facilities—all accessed from villas, townhomes and private retreats.

A range of additional retail, residential, community services and commercial support facilities are distributed throughout the property for ease of access and utility that support the modern lifestyle Qiddiya is designed to deliver.

Source: https://qiddiya.com/en/press-release/qiddiya-reveals-first-look-saudi-capital-entertainment-sports-and-arts-master-plan

Al-Qiddiya will have six major components: The fun city, sports facilities, car and cycle race courses, water adventures and ice games, natural attractions and cultural and heritage events.

Visitors to Al-Qiddiya will have a range of choices in entertainment, sporting and cultural activities in innovative design facilities.

These include entertainment centers and sports facilities capable of hosting world-class competitions and games, training, desert and asphalt tracks for car enthusiasts, water and snow recreation activities, outdoor adventure activities, safari experiences and nature attractions, as well as historical, cultural and educational activities.

The project will also include commercial centers, restaurants, cafes, hotels, real estate projects and services that meet the aspirations of all segments of society.

Source: http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/533464/SAUDI-ARABIA/Al-Qiddiya-A-futuristic-mega-city

Looks a bit like the Dubailand sales center:



Sources (both from Pakistan, of all places):
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/308595-saudi-king-salman-to-launch-entertainment-city-near-riyadh
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/saudi-king-salman-to-launch-qiddiya-project-on-wednesday.555509/

Qiddiya Entertainment City will be comprised of “high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities, and a safari park, all of which in hopes of attracting 17 million annual visitors by 2030.”

“The Qiddiya entertainment city, located 25 miles from the Saudi capital, will be on a 129 square mile site, which is almost the size of Las Vegas”

Sources: https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/saudi-arabia-to-launch-huge-entertainment-city-project-1202788376/ and https://4sq.com/2yzMGNh and https://www.medias24.com/MAROC/Quoi-de-neuf/182586-Une-immense-cite-de-divertissement-sera-construite-en-Arabie-Saoudite.html