From Aquellum to Zardun and now Xaynor: 12 futuristic real estate megaprojects under NEOM

Saudi Arabia’s $500bn giga project NEOM, has added to it s bouquet of developments with the launch of Xaynor – a private members club.

Overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, Xaynor has been conceptualised as a nature-based resort. Xaynor is the 11th project to be announced under the NEOM umbrella.

NEOM – The future

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman first revealed NEOM in 2017. Seven years on, the developments under NEOM have grown to include – a port city named Oxagon, a winter destination called Trojena, and nine other mega-projects that aim to develop the kingdom’s north western province of Tabuk into a global destination.

These distinct regions and sectors will be fueled by a $500bn budget from the Public Investment Fund as well as local and international investors. “If we are to solve the challenges of tomorrow, we must face up to them today, no matter how difficult they may seem. At NEOM, we are addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity by bringing together a community of the brightest minds committed to reimagining what a sustainable future will look like in 20 to 30 years, and building it today. We are redefining the future now. NEOM is open for business,” said Nadhmi Al-Nasr, NEOM CEO.

For those wondering about the meaning of ‘NEOM’, it is derived from two words, as per a statement on the giga-project’s website. The first three letters come from the Ancient Greek prefix neo – meaning ‘new’. The ‘M’ is the first letter from ‘Mustaqbal’, an Arabic word meaning ‘future’.

The projects announced under NEOM have similar futuristic-sounding names.

List of projects under NEOM: From A to Z

Aquellum:

Announced in 2023, Aquellum is set to be a futuristic project like no other in the region that will include bringing life-like meta-verse experiences and an “omnidirectional internal transit system”.

“Concealed from the outside along the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, Aquellum is hidden within a breathtaking, 450-metre-high mountain range and represents a futuristic ecosystem that is harmoniously integrated into the natural surroundings,” describes a press statement from NEOM.

“To access Aquellum, visitors will embark on an extraordinary journey, beginning at the world’s first floating marina. Here, guests will board a specially designed vessel to enter Aquellum through a concealed underground canal, unveiling a hidden community that offers an incredible sensory journey.

“Once inside, visitors will be treated to an exhilarating, 100-meter-high vertical experience with an impressive courtyard space stretching from the water to the sky. ​This subterranean digitalised community creates vibrancy and interconnectivity through seamlessly blending hotel accommodation, apartments, retail spaces, leisure and entertainment zones and innovative hubs,” adds the statement.

Epicon:

Announced in November 2023, the new development will comprise of two stunning towers.

Released renders of the architecture showcases glistening monoliths, to be built at a height of 225 meters and the other touching 275 meters.

NEOM said the towers are planned to house ultra-premium 41 key hotel and luxury residences that comprise of 14 suites and apartments.

As part of the development, NEOM will also construct an Epicon resort, located in the neighbourhood. The resorts will encompass 120 rooms and 45 stunning residential beach villas.

Leyja:

NEOM unveiled Leyja in October 2023, an ecotourism offering along the Gulf of Aqaba.

Aligned with NEOM’s strategy to designate the majority of its land across its destinations and cities as a nature reserve, 95 per cent of Leyja will be preserved for nature and will combine innovative, ecological design and construction techniques to ensure the development seamlessly blends into the landscape.

The destination will feature three hotels designed by architects to complement the surrounding nature, operate sustainably, and provide unique experiences.

Norlana:

NEOM introduced the world to Norlana in December last year – planned as an architectural marvel set around a picturesque marina along the Gulf of Aqaba.

Envisioned to accommodate a population of 3,000 residents, Norlana town is set to be a pivotal component of a comprehensive cluster of developments strategically planned along the Gulf of Aqaba in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia.

The marina-centric town, with its avant-garde design, is poised to set new standards in luxury living and urban planning. NEOM, known for its commitment to cutting-edge innovation and sustainable development, has entrusted the team at 10 Design studio to bring Norlana to life.

Oxagon:

Oxagon, announced in 2021, is being built as a carbon emissions-free industrial city “floating” on the Red Sea as part of the NEOM mega-project. It is also home to the Port of NEOM – the primary seaport of entry to the northwest of Saudi Arabia.

The project, once complete, will feature a port and a logistics hub, and will be a “comprehensive cognitive city” focused on robotics and artificial intelligence.

(Image courtesy: NEOM)

Sindalah:

Sindalah, announced in 2022, is a luxury island and yacht club destination located within Saudi Arabia’s mega project NEOM.

The development, extending over an area of approximately 840,000 square meters, is one of a group of islands that will be developed in NEOM.

Sindalah will feature a 86-berth marina, an ideal destination for accommodating luxury vessels, while offshore buoys will house superyachts. The destination will also offer 413 ultra-premium hotel rooms, in addition to 333 top-end serviced apartments. Additional amenities include a luxe beach club, a yacht club, and 38 unique culinary offerings.

Siranna:

Announced late last year, Siranna has been planned as sustainable and luxury tourism destination encompassing a 65-key hotel, as well as 35 exclusive residences.

The project’s release announcement described the development as “Rising from the rugged coastal terrain, the destination features hexagonal pillars that complement the surrounding mountains and flora.”

The Line:

A flagship project under NEOM, The Line is a 200 meters wide, 170 kilometers long horizontal city rising 500 meters above sea level.

Projected to house an estimated 9 million residents, The Line is being built on a footprint of just 34 square kilometers. First announced in 2021 with a design release in 2022, The Line has become one of the defining images of the development being undertaken across Saudi Arabia as part of the national development agenda Vision 2030.

Trojena:

One of the earliest projects to be announced, Trojena is being developed as a winter mountain destination that is set to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games.

Once complete, it will have areas such as The Lake an engineered water body to serve as a hub for entertainment, family fun, and hosting events; The Vault – a folded vertical village that acts as the gateway to Trojena; and The Bow – a high end water embedded structure  underneath the lake and will have adaptable spaces for events, conferences, concerts, and much more.

Utamo:

Utamo is envisioned as an immersive destination for art and entertainment. In a statement, NEOM called the future development, “An innovative event space to host global artists.”

Details of the new project include a space to be crafted to facilitate immersive artistic installations and performances. Advanced audio-visual systems will captivate guests with sensory experiences, enveloping them in audio-visual wonder as they become part of the performance itself.

Additional details of the destination include a “theatre of the future where reality and the digital realm converge.”

Xaynor:

NEOM describes Xaynor as “An impressive, architecturally designed and carefully curated development, providing a comfortable and sophisticated environment for leisure and relaxation. Upon arrival, guests will be greeted by a captivating canopy entrance leading down to the beach, seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape.”

The club, upon completion, will offer various amenities including private pools, beachside lounges, dining options, entertainment venues, and a spa and wellness center.

Additionally, Xaynor will include boutique shopping and leisure activity experiences, in collaboration with renowned international brand partners.

Positioned as a luxury beach resort, Xaynor aims to redefine exclusivity in a natural setting, added the statement.

Zardun:

Intended to redefine luxury within an environmental context, Zardun aims to offer the ultimate premium ecotourism experience for discerning guests, read the recent announcement from NEOM.

Spread across four square kilometers, “Zardun will be a carefully restored haven filled with native plants and animals. Stretching down from the mountains to the seashore, its breathtaking beauty will be experienced on arrival by visitors at its state-of-the-art experience center, which includes a 360-degree observation deck,” added the release from NEOM.

“Zardun will comprise three distinct and luxurious boutique hotels, offering in total 100 rooms and suites, all of which are informed by a vision of a more sustainable future within this newly restored environment. Each hotel will have a different theme so that guests can enjoy an array of experiences that take in amazing views down a stunning valley and out over the sea,” announced the developer.