London-based architecture firm Benoy has been appointed to design a new leisure destination on Riyadh’s Golden Strip. A $1.8 billion development named Konoz – Arabic for ‘box of jewels’ – the project will be developed by Abdullah Al Othaim Investment Company, one of the Kingdom’s largest shopping mall operators.

Following its appointment, Benoy has unveiled its design plans, which will bring together both new and old elements of the city. The site – which will include a 20,000m² entertainment city, a 250-room luxury hotel, 50,000m² office spaces and residential offerings, as well as F&B and retail outlets – will be architecturally representative of the treasure it is named after, with visual nods to gemstones across its entirety. 

Benoy’s design concept also centres around creating a cohesive, walkable neighbourhood, with four key districts of the development bringing together cues from contemporary and historic Riyadh.

In addition to its commercial spaces, the Konoz project will bring 15,000m² of new green spaces to the city, as well as parking for 5,500 vehicles, a 120,000m² commercial centre, 120 serviced residential apartments and an additional 700-key apartment complex.

“It has been a pleasure to work on the design for a development that will truly transform the face of Riyadh—and bring an unparalleled mixed-use offering to the city,” comments Jamie Webb, Head of EMEA at Benoy. “Our design aims to forge destinations where people want to live and spend time with their family and friends.”

Other collaborators on the project include Pragma Consulting, who are informing the development’s commercial strategy; Holmes Wood, who are working on its placemaking strategy; and Uncommon Land, who are at the helm of designing its landscape spaces.