Cityscape Global 2025 closed in Riyadh with unprecedented results, confirming Saudi Arabia as one of the most dynamic and ambitious real estate and urban planning markets in the world. The final tally of deals exceeded SAR237 billion ($63.2 billion), underscoring the resilience and attractiveness of the sector for both domestic and international investors.
Strategic Expansion of Housing Supply
The exhibition served as a strategic platform demonstrating the Kingdom’s commitment to boosting housing capacity and enhancing quality of life. The National Housing Co. (NHC) was notably active, announcing several major agreements in critical zones. This included the execution contract for 1,075 residential units in Riyadh’s Al-Fursan destination, valued at over SAR875 million, and a separate development agreement for the “Mashaal Al-Fursan” project, adding 1,120 apartments valued at SAR880 million. Further extending its footprint, NHC committed over SAR899 million to the Dar Makkah project near the Grand Mosque, emphasizing the critical expansion of high-quality housing in Holy Cities. To broaden accessibility, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing sponsored partnerships with financial institutions, including Bank Albilad, aimed at delivering competitive financing solutions and directly addressing housing affordability.
Driving Digitalization and Smart City Integration
Beyond housing volume, Cityscape highlighted that future Saudi cities will be fundamentally smart and connected, creating profound opportunities for technology firms. The stc Group signed a key strategic partnership with ROSHN Group to deploy neutral digital infrastructure in the SEDRA community, establishing a new standard for connectivity in master-planned developments. The increasing adoption of PropTech was evident throughout the exhibition, alongside regulatory modernization: ROSHN Group became the recipient of the Kingdom’s first instant “Off-Plan Sales” license from the Real Estate General Authority, signaling a commitment to streamlining development procedures through digitalization.
Global Confidence Meets Future Demand
The event reinforced the global appeal of the Saudi real estate sector, which saw participation from 577 exhibitors, including 265 international players. Executives from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) outlined their vision for building integrated ecosystems that directly enhance quality of life, cementing Saudi Arabia’s role as a regional leader. Minister Al-Hogail confirmed that the Kingdom’s five major cities will require over 1.5 million additional housing units by 2030, including 731,000 in Riyadh alone. This population growth creates significant opportunities for international companies, architects, and advanced building materials suppliers interested in expanding their presence in the Kingdom.
