The 45-storey Abraj Kudai hotel in Mecca through the eyes of a Disneyland imagineer (Photo: Dar Al-HandasahDar Al-Handasah)
Saudi Arabia will build the world's largest hotel, a 45-storeyed structure with 10,000 rooms in 12 towers, at USD 3.5 billion in the holy city of Mecca.
Designed by Dar Al Handasah group, the Abraj Kudai hotel has a proposed total built-up area of 1.4 million square meter and will be set in the Manafia area in Mecca's central zone, DesignMENA reported. With 70 restaurants and four helipads, the project is expected to be completed in 2017,said the hotel's architect.
"We are honoured to be trusted with such a challenge. Designing hotel interiors on such a massive scale, with no operators yet in place, requires complex programming and design resourcing," said Andrew Lindwood, head of design at Areen Hospitality, which will design the hotel's interior spaces.
Funded by the Saudi Ministry of Finance, the hotel is aimed at accommodating the rising number of Muslims who visit Mecca and other holy cities during the annual pilgrimage.
{{/usCountry}}Funded by the Saudi Ministry of Finance, the hotel is aimed at accommodating the rising number of Muslims who visit Mecca and other holy cities during the annual pilgrimage.
{{/usCountry}}"We respond to such a challenge, without ever losing the creative essence needed to welcome and surprise the guests expected at Abraj Kudai," Lindwood said.
Modelled on a traditional desert fortress, the complex will house a bus station, shopping mall, food courts, a conference centre and a lavishly appointed ballroom atop a 10-storey podium.