Diriyah Company Secures $1.4 Billion Joint Venture For Royal Diriyah Opera House Construction

Diriyah Company has entered into a SAR 5.1 billion ($1.4 billion) joint venture agreement to construct the Royal Diriyah Opera House. This project involves El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd., Midmac Construction Co. Ltd., and China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC), the largest construction firm globally. The opera house will be a key cultural landmark in Diriyah, enhancing its status as a cultural hub.

The Royal Diriyah Opera House is set to become Saudi Arabia's largest opera venue, with a main theatre seating 2,000 people. Additional facilities include a studio theater, rooftop amphitheater, and multipurpose halls, bringing the total capacity to around 3,100 seats. Managed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, this venue will redefine the Kingdom's cultural landscape.

This contract is part of several significant projects announced in early 2025, including the "Media and Innovation District" launch and a SAR 426.3 million ($113.6 million) architecture contract awarded to Omrania for buildings along Diriyah’s main avenue. These initiatives align with Diriyah Company's vision to transform the historic area near Riyadh into a vibrant cultural destination.

Designed by renowned Norwegian architects Snøhetta Oslo AS, the opera house will feature a modern Najdi aesthetic using natural materials like palm, stone, and earth. Sustainability is central to its design, focusing on water conservation, enhanced natural lighting, and improved ventilation and thermal comfort.

The project involves several international specialists: Schlaich Bergermann Partner for structures and facades; Buro Happold and Saudi Diyar for MEP works; Theatre Projects as theatre and acoustics consultants; and JLL as cost consultants with Plan A handling design management. This collaboration aims to establish Diriyah as a global centre for theatrical arts.

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company, stated: "The Royal Diriyah Opera House will be a landmark asset at Diriyah that will support Diriyah’s growing global role in shaping Saudi Arabia's artistic and cultural future, aligned with Vision 2030." He emphasized its role in uniting people through unforgettable performances.

Economic Impact

The broader Diriyah project is an integrated urban development under the Public Investment Fund’s major initiatives. It aims to provide homes for about 100,000 residents and office space for professionals in technology, media, arts, and education sectors. The project is expected to create 178,000 jobs and attract nearly 50 million annual visits.

Khalid Alhazani from the Royal Commission for Riyadh City remarked: "This agreement marks a major milestone in building this world-class operatic venue." He expressed anticipation for hosting top global operatic talent while nurturing local artists within the Kingdom.

The development of Diriyah is poised to contribute approximately SAR 70 billion ($18.6 billion) to Saudi Arabia’s GDP over time. This initiative underscores Diriyah's role as a key player in shaping live performance venues and cultural infrastructure within the Kingdom.

With inputs from SPA