Diriyah Company awards $1.4 billion contract for Kingdom's largest opera house
RIYADH — Diriyah Company has signed a SR5.1 billion ($1.4 billion) joint venture contract to develop the iconic Royal Diriyah Opera House.
The agreement was signed with El Seif Engineering Contracting Co. Ltd. (ESEC), Midmac Construction Co. Ltd., and China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. (CSCEC), the world's largest construction firm.
Designed by Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta Oslo AS, the Royal Diriyah Opera House will be Saudi Arabia's largest performance venue with a 2,000-seat main theatre.
The project will also feature a studio theater, a rooftop amphitheater, and multipurpose halls, bringing total capacity to approximately 3,100 seats.
The opera house — managed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City — will serve as Diriyah's premier performing arts center and a cultural landmark, blending contemporary Najdi architecture with sustainability principles such as natural ventilation, water conservation, and thermal efficiency.
The development is part of Diriyah Company's dynamic 2025 rollout, which has also seen the launch of the Media and Innovation District and the awarding of a SR426.3 million ($113.6 million) architecture and design contract to Omrania for projects along Diriyah's main avenue.
Several international experts have been tapped for the project, including Schlaich Bergermann Partner (structures and facades), Buro Happold and Saudi Diyar (MEP works), Theatre Projects (theatre and acoustics), JLL (cost consultancy), and Plan A (design management).
'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,' said Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo. 'This architectural masterpiece will bring people together in one of the world's greatest gathering places to experience unforgettable performances.'
The opera house is a cornerstone of Diriyah's transformation into a cultural capital. The broader Diriyah project — one of the Public Investment Fund's flagship initiatives — is expected to generate 178,000 jobs, house 100,000 residents, attract 50 million annual visits, and contribute SR70 billion ($18.6 billion) to Saudi GDP.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Arabiya
17-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Drone attack targets Tawke oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan
A drone attack targeted Norwegian oil and gas firm DNO's oilfield in Tawke in the Zakho Administration area of northern Iraq on Thursday, according to the Kurdistan region's counter-terrorism service. It is the second attack on the DNO-operated field amid a wave of drone attacks that began early this week. Developing
Arab News
17-07-2025
- Arab News
Drone attack targets Tawke oilfield in Iraq's Kurdistan
BAGHDAD: A drone attack targeted Norwegian oil and gas firm DNO's oilfield in Tawke in the Zakho Administration area of northern Iraq on Thursday, according to the Kurdistan region's counter-terrorism service. It is the second attack on the DNO-operated field amid a wave of drone attacks that began early this week.
Leaders
15-07-2025
- Leaders
Diriyah Dates Season Showcases Saudi Heritage and Global Growth
Diriyah's vibrant Dates Season launched this week, spotlighting Saudi Arabia's booming date sector and its deep-rooted heritage. Diriyah Governor Prince Fahd bin Saad bin Abdullah commended the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for elevating date production and quality, aligning with national goals. The ministry's support programs and value-added initiatives have empowered farmers while boosting exports. In 2024, production soared to 1.9 million tonnes, with $453 million worth of dates shipped to 133 countries—a sharp rise from 2023. This growth underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to agricultural innovation. Cultural Heritage Meets Modern Innovation Hosted by the National Center for Palms and Dates until July 24, the event blends tradition with modernity. Visitors explore Diriyah's heritage through cultural displays, workshops, and a horse parade. Artisans showcase palm-based crafts, celebrating the Year of Handicrafts in a dedicated ministry booth. The exhibition highlights Saudi Arabia's agricultural supply chain. Stalls feature fresh dates, processed goods, and by-products, alongside family-run businesses. Food trucks, cafes, and interactive workshops cater to all ages, while a date auction zone drives excitement. Vision 2030 Sweetens the Deal Government efforts to enhance quality, expand markets, and streamline logistics are paying off. By integrating technology and sustainable practices, Saudi dates now grace tables worldwide. This season not only honors tradition but also fuels economic diversification under Vision 2030. With record production and global demand rising, Diriyah's Dates Season proves Saudi agriculture is ripe for the future. Short link :
