Kingdom Center


Kingdom Center is one of the famous landmarks of Riyadh , a 99-story skyscraper 311 m high. Another name for the tower is Burj Al-Mamljaka. Its construction lasted about 3 years: started in 1999, it was completed in 2002.


Kingdom Center is one of the famous landmarks of Riyadh , a 99-story skyscraper 311 m high. Another name for the tower is Burj Al-Mamljaka. Its construction lasted about 3 years: started in 1999, it was completed in 2002.

According to the data of 2015, the Kingdom Center in Saudi Arabia occupies the 4th place in terms of height (although in 2012 it was on the 2nd, behind only 601-meter Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Mecca ). It is known not only for its height, but also for its original appearance. It is especially beautiful in the dark time: all in bright lights, the Kingdom Center is visible from almost anywhere in the Arabian capital. And from the observation platform, located in the upper part of the skyscraper , offers a beautiful view of Riyadh.

Architectural solution

The skyscraper project was developed by the American company Bechtel Corporation. The original view of the building (emptiness of the parabolic shape at the top resembles a needle eye) was appreciated: in 2002 the skyscraper won the Emporis award in the category "The best skyscraper design".

What is in the Kingdom Center building?

The initiator of the construction of the Kingdom Center was Prince Al-Valid Bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who also owns the skyscraper. Representation of the concern, which the prince owns, is located in a skyscraper. Construction cost an equivalent of $ 385 million.

The idea to build such a building was provoked by the absence of branded boutiques on the territory of Saudi Arabia, where one could buy original products of famous brands. Today in the skyscraper are:

There are no offices in the upper part of the building (in Saudi Arabia, it is legally forbidden to use offices and especially for housing above the 30th floor); there is an observation deck, which is very popular with tourists, since it is good to see the whole of Riyadh.

In addition, there is an observatory and a mosque at the top. The latter is one of the highest situated mosques in the world (above it only the mosque in Burj Khalifa is located ). Moving between the floors of the Kingdom Center performs 41 lifts and 22 escalators. Near the building there is a parking for 3000 seats.

How and when to visit the Kingdom Center?

The organizations of the Royal Tower, like everyone in Saudi Arabia, do not work on Fridays and Saturdays. Their working hours are from Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 to 18:00. Restaurants are open to visitors from Sunday to Thursday from 9:30 to midnight, on Friday from 13:00 to 00:00.

Shops are waiting for buyers from Sunday to Wednesday from 9:30 to 22:30 (lunch break lasts from 12:30 to 16:30), on Thursdays and Saturdays - at the same time, but without a break for lunch. On Friday they open at 16:30 and work until 22:30. To reach Burj Al-Mamljaki it is possible on King Fahd Rd and on Al Urubah Rd.