Saudi Arabia announces new $266m entertainment destination

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (SEVEN) has announced the beginning of construction of its entertainment destination in the city of Tabuk.

The new project, which has a development value of more than SAR1bn ($266m), will “transform the entertainment landscape in the region with a wide range of attractions and experiences,” the company said in a statement on Wednesday.

SEVEN is a wholly owned subsidiary of the country’s sovereign wealth fund – Public Investment Fund.

برعاية معالي الوزير ماجد عبد الله الحقيل وأمين منطقة #تبوك المهندس حسام بن موفق اليوسف، تحتفي سڤن من خلال ملتقى الاستثمار البلدي #فرص بمراسم توقيع اتفاقية تعاون مع شركة البواني المحدودة لتنفيذ أعمال الإنشاءات للوجهة الترفيهية في مدينة #تبوك نحو بناء عالم ترفيهي مبهج.@albawani pic.twitter.com/4Ghw9ILa1n

— SEVEN مشاريع الترفيه السعودية (@saudi_SEVEN) January 25, 2023

The new destination spans over 72,500 square metres of built-up area, and will house attractions including a 4,000 square metre family entertainment centre, a second junior family entertainment centre for young guests, as well as a discovery adventures centre.

Additional features include an e-karting experience under Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand, a 12-hole indoor adventure golf course, a 10-lane futuristic bowling experience and a 10-screen cinema.

The destination will also be home to a multi-purpose event space hosting events and several local and international retail, food and beverage outlets.

SEVEN awarded the development contract to build the project to Saudi-owned Al Bawani. Meanwhile architecture firm Gensler will design it.

“We are excited to be bringing our exciting new entertainment experiences to the people of Tabuk. We have appreciated the city’s rich culture and heritage in the development of our entertainment destination, infusing it with Tabuk’s unique features and ensuring that our destination will cater to the needs of all in Tabuk,” said Abdullah AlDawood, chairman of SEVEN.

“Our entertainment destination gates will support the local economy, create job opportunities for the city’s people, and enrich the lives of those living in and visiting Tabuk.”

SEVEN is investing more than SAR50bn to build 21 entertainment hotspots. It recently announced the location of upcoming projects in 14 cities across the country.

Read: Saudi Arabia’s SEVEN to invest SAR50bn to develop entertainment destinations in 14 cities