Diriyah Gate Masterplan
- Client
- Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA)
- Services
- Architecture, Landscape Architecture
- Sector
- Masterplan
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
A gastronomic destination at the edge of the First Saudi State
The Diriyah Gate masterplan is one of the most significant heritage-led regeneration projects in the world, a reimagining of the birthplace of the First Saudi State, set within and around the At-Turaif UNESCO World Heritage Site on the western edge of Riyadh. Benoy developed the retail and food and beverage strategy for the masterplan, encompassing 150,000m² of retail and 50,000 sqm of F&B across a commercially sustainable concept rooted in Najdi heritage. The first phase of the overall masterplan achieved LEED Platinum certification from the USGBC.
15,000m²
The design draws its environmental logic from the site’s building and agricultural heritage. The restoration of Wadi Hanifah’s indigenous palm groves forms the ecological spine of the masterplan, recovering a riparian landscape that defined the historic settlement’s character and identity. A pedestrian-first urban model eliminates vehicle movement from the public realm above ground, with parking and service infrastructure buried in an air-conditioned undercroft that runs beneath the streets. The walkable, passively cooled outdoor environment performs in Riyadh’s extreme climate through the combined effect of mudbrick’s thermal mass, integrated architectural shading, and dense planting.
Bujairi Terrace is the first completed element of the masterplan.
The 15,000m² site is entirely pedestrianised to preserve the intimate character of the traditional Najdi streetscape. Atmospheric lighting, and dense planting extend the comfortable outdoor hours from midday through to late evening, supporting a programme of over 27 food and beverage outlets, two galleries, a cultural centre and an outdoor cinema. The terrace drew over a million visitors in its first six months of operation.
