Saudi Arabia has unveiled an ambitious expansion project outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, featuring the construction of towering complexes designed for prayer, accommodation, and hospitality.
The new development, titled “King Salman Gate” in honour of the reigning monarch, was officially launched on Wednesday by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who announced that the project will cover an area of 12 million square metres.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the mega project will provide around 900,000 indoor and outdoor prayer spaces, and include residential, hospitality, commercial, and cultural facilities, blending traditional heritage with modern design.
Computer-generated images released by the government depict tall towers overlooking the Grand Mosque, symbolizing spiritual unity. A promotional video describes the development as “rooted in heritage, a celebration of culture old and new.”
The project will be developed by RUA AlHaram AlMakki Co, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), as part of the country’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. Officials estimate that King Salman Gate will generate over 300,000 jobs over the next decade, though details about the total cost and construction timeline were not disclosed.
Despite scaling back some high-cost mega projects due to declining oil prices, Riyadh continues to prioritize developments in Mecca and Medina, aiming to accommodate over 30 million foreign pilgrims annually by 2030.
Unlike entertainment-driven ventures such as The Line and Sindalah, the Mecca expansion targets the steady influx of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, whose visits are rooted in religious obligation.
However, the new project could attract controversy due to its massive scale. The Royal Clock Tower, completed in 2012 near the Grand Mosque, remains one of the tallest buildings in the world but has faced criticism for overshadowing the Kaaba and for the demolition of historic structures, including the Ottoman-era Ajyad Fortress, to make way for its construction.
With King Salman Gate, Saudi Arabia seeks to balance spiritual significance with urban transformation, reinforcing Mecca’s central role in the Muslim world while advancing its national development agenda.
