Saudi Arabia: AlUla Development Company redefining future of tourism
The AlUla Development Company (UDC) is redefining what it means to build the future while preserving the past. Over the past year, the developer behind Saudi Arabia’s iconic heritage destination has achieved major milestones that seamlessly blend luxury with legacy and modern design with ancient inspiration. From the launch of the NUMAJ – Autograph Collection Hotel to community-driven initiatives like Diyar AlMahash, UDC continues to shape AlUla into a living destination where culture, sustainability, and innovation coexist.
Transforming AlUla through design and vision
In the last 12 months, UDC has made significant progress
toward transforming AlUla into a world-class tourism and cultural hub, aligned
with Saudi Vision 2030. Its diverse portfolio now includes landmarks such as Maraya
Theatre, Our Habitas AlUla, Caravan by Habitas, Banyan Tree AlUla, and Ashar
Estate, as well as managed properties including Cloud7 Residences, The Chedi
Hegra, and Dar Tantora The House Hotel.
A major highlight was the public unveiling of the NUMAJ – A Tapestry of the Land concept in 2025, a digital showcase revealing the hotel’s design ahead of its construction. UDC also signed key agreements for a new luxury resort, its Riyadh headquarters, and a long-term operations deal for Maraya, strengthening its position in cultural and entertainment development.
These achievements earned UDC the 2025 Cultural and
Architectural Preservation Award, recognising its commitment to building sustainably
while honouring heritage.
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Arabia’s AlUla Company redefines tourism through cultural preservation and
sustainability
Landmark projects underway
Among UDC’s flagship projects is the NUMAJ – Autograph
Collection Hotel, where excavation and shoring are complete and construction is
set to begin soon. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 250-key property will
introduce a new standard of cultural luxury in AlUla. Designed by 1GioForma,
the Milan-based firm behind the Maraya building, NUMAJ aims for LEED Gold
certification and combines the sophistication of a five-star business hotel
with the relaxed warmth of a desert resort.
Another cornerstone project, Diyar AlMahash, will deliver 568
staff accommodation units to support AlUla’s growing hospitality workforce. The
development is designed to provide high-quality, sustainable living spaces that
strengthen community infrastructure — a vital component in AlUla’s long-term
growth strategy.
Honouring AlUla’s cultural identity
NUMAJ’s design concept, “A Tapestry of the Land,” captures the textures, colours, and forms that define AlUla’s natural and cultural landscape. Drawing from traditional stone carvings, local craftsmanship, and the timeless beauty of AlUla’s architecture, the project celebrates the continuity between past and present. Each detail — from lighting to materials — reflects the “AlUla Touch”, an homage to traditional mashrabiya patterns and desert-inspired design.
Sustainable and community-led growth
Sustainability and social responsibility are central to
every UDC initiative. Projects across its portfolio adopt energy-efficient,
low-impact practices, while NUMAJ and other developments are being built to
international green standards.
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Arabia’s AlUla Development Company grants contract for Diyar AlMahash project
UDC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs focus on community development, workforce training, and youth engagement, ensuring that AlUla’s transformation benefits its people as much as its visitors. Diyar AlMahash exemplifies this approach, providing a sustainable foundation for the workforce that drives the region’s hospitality sector.
Looking ahead
While financial details remain confidential, UDC confirms
steady progress toward its strategic milestones and performance indicators.
Each project contributes to Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and tourism
goals, positioning AlUla as a globally celebrated destination that embodies
both cultural authenticity and forward-thinking sustainability.
In AlUla, the future is being built not apart from history —
but upon it.
Source: Construction Week
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