RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced a landmark urban development project, the ‘King Salman Gate,’ a massive new hub near the Grand Mosque in Makkah designed to significantly enhance the experience for pilgrims and worshippers.
Unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the gate is set to transform Makkah’s urban landscape. According to the Saudi Gazette, the project will feature sprawling indoor and outdoor prayer areas capable of serving at least 900,000 worshippers annually. With a total built-up area of 12 million square meters, the development will provide comprehensive residential, cultural, and service facilities for visitors to the holy city.
The project is a cornerstone of the Pilgrim Experience Program under Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to set a new global standard for sustainable urban development. The design will fuse Makkah’s rich architectural heritage with modern urban planning to ensure pilgrim comfort while preserving the city’s historical and cultural identity. Crucially, the gate will be integrated with public transport networks to improve access and mobility.
“King Salman Gate’s urban development and infrastructure transformation will contribute to enhancing access to Al Masjid Al Haram, elevating service quality, and enriching every visitor’s journey,” authorities stated.
As part of this vision, approximately 19,000 square meters of heritage and cultural zones will be rehabilitated to enrich the visitor experience. The project is also a significant economic driver, with reports indicating it is expected to create over 300,000 jobs by 2036.
The ‘King Salman Gate’ is being developed by Rou’a Al-Haram Al-Makki Company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), marking a major milestone in establishing Makkah as a global benchmark in modern city planning.
