North of Riyadh, where the land stretches wide and still, something extraordinary is beginning. The air is quiet, but behind the silence, a transformation is unfolding. Not just construction. Not just ambition. A reimagining of what urban life can be.

This is North Pole District Riyadh, part of a growing constellation of megaprojects reshaping Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. But this one carries a unique weight. It’s where the tallest building on Earth will stand. And it’s where a new way of living is being designed, from the ground up.

A 306-Square-Kilometer Urban Vision

The numbers alone are staggering. 306 square kilometers. That’s the size of the new district taking shape in North Riyadh, just minutes from King Khalid International Airport and close to the Expo 2030 site. Its location ties directly into New Murabba, the planned downtown expected to be the largest of its kind in the world.

This isn’t just about scale. It’s about integration. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) is leading the project with a goal to create a self-sustaining, mixed-use district. Homes, schools, clinics, entertainment zones, commercial centers, and green public spaces, all built to flow together.

As Mohammed AlQahtani of Saudi Arabia Holding Co. put it, the aim is to blend modernity with the natural landscape, shaping a city that lives and breathes alongside its people.

Rise Tower: The World’s Tallest Structure

At the center of the district will stand Rise Tower, a building planned to reach 2000 meters (6,562 ft) high with a total of 678 floors. That’s more than double the height of the Burj Khalifa.

The design belongs to Foster + Partners, a firm with a global reputation for innovation and sustainability. Inside, there will be luxury hotels, fine dining above the clouds, sky observation decks, and executive business suites. Every part of the building will be powered by solar energy and renewable sources, making it one of the most advanced vertical structures ever planned.

Estimated at $5 billion, the tower is more than a record-breaker. It’s a symbol of what Saudi Arabia can create when it matches ambition with action.

Smart Streets, Layered Transport

The district will be easy to move through, without relying on cars. Streets will prioritize walking, cycling, and green space. Inside the district, people will travel using autonomous vehicles, air mobility solutions, and high-speed underground transport.

It’s not about making movement faster. It’s about making it quieter, cleaner, and more connected. These systems will also link with Riyadh’s broader transportation network, keeping the district open and accessible.

Sustainability is the Foundation

From the beginning, sustainability has shaped every layer of this project. Like NEOM’s THE LINE, vertical development reduces land use. Renewable energy powers buildings. Water recycling and environmental design keep consumption low.

Every part of the district has been planned with the climate in mind. In a city where summers can be long and harsh, comfort will come not just from technology, but from smart design.

Timeline: What’s Happening Now

The planning and procurement phase is underway. In early 2025, the Public Investment Fund began accepting global bids for the development of the Central Business District, one of the first major steps in making the district real.

With Foster + Partners already confirmed for Rise Tower, architectural design has begun. Construction timelines are not publicly available, but the scope suggests a multi-year rollout. Some areas may be active by 2030, while full completion will take longer.

A Magnet for Investment, Jobs, and Innovation

The district will likely drive a powerful wave of economic activity. It will create tens of thousands of jobs through construction and operations. New businesses will emerge across tech, healthcare, education, culture, and retail.

It also creates space for international companies to establish a regional base, helping to fulfill one of Vision 2030’s key goals: economic diversification beyond oil.

But the transformation here isn’t just financial. It’s social. The district’s design encourages interaction, access, and community, supporting new lifestyles and opportunities for a generation growing up in a changing Saudi Arabia.

How North Pole District, Riyadh Compares to Other Saudi Megaprojects

Projects like Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, NEOM, and New Murabba each bring something different to the Kingdom. But the North Pole District stands apart because it’s built within an already expanding capital. It strengthens Riyadh’s infrastructure instead of starting from scratch.

It adds depth to what already exists, without disconnecting from it.

A City Shaped by Belief in What’s Possible

Walkable and sustainable Northpole District in Riyadh – (Credits Platinumlist Guide)

This isn’t about making something futuristic. It’s about building a place that feels good to live in. A place where homes are close to parks. Where work and rest are both within reach. Where people don’t just pass through, but pause.

The North Pole District Riyadh is still being drawn. But the vision is clear.

A city that meets the sky, but stays rooted in what matters.

FAQs

What is the North Pole District in Riyadh?
The North Pole District is a massive 306-square-kilometer urban development project in North Riyadh. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and aligned with Vision 2030, the district will feature residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, public parks, and the world’s tallest building, Rise Tower.

Where is the North Pole District located?
The North Pole District is located in North Riyadh, close to King Khalid International Airport. It’s near other key developments like Expo 2030 and New Murabba, placing it at the center of Riyadh’s future growth.

What is Rise Tower, and how tall will it be?
Rise Tower is the planned centerpiece of the North Pole District and is expected to become the tallest building in the world at 2,000 meters high. Designed by Foster + Partners, it will include hotels, observation decks, dining spaces, and offices, all powered by solar and renewable energy.

How does the North Pole District support sustainability?
The district is being designed around sustainable principles. It includes solar-powered infrastructure, water recycling, vertical building strategies, pedestrian-friendly streets, and smart mobility options like autonomous vehicles and underground transport systems.

When will the North Pole District in Riyadh be completed?
The project remains in its planning and procurement phase. Authorities aim to complete key areas by 2030, with full development rolling out in phases in the years that follow.