Kingdom Centre

Skyscraper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Not to be confused with Jeddah Tower or Kingdom Shopping Centre.

Kingdom Center

مركز المملكة

Kingdom Centre, 2024

Location within Saudi Arabia

Alternative names| Riyadh City Center
Record height
Tallest in Saudi Arabia from 2002 to 2012[I]
Preceded by| Al Faisaliah Tower
Surpassed by| The Clock Towers
General information
Status| Completed
Type| Commercial offices
Residential condominiums
Hotel
Architectural style| Modernism
Location| King Fahad Road Saudi Arabia
Coordinates| 24°42′41″N 46°40′28″E﻿ / ﻿24.7113°N 46.6744°E﻿ / 24.7113; 46.6744
Construction started| 1999
Completed| 2002
Cost| SR 1.7 billion (US$453 million)
Height
Architectural| 302.3 m (991.80 ft)
Top floor| 290.4 m (952.76 ft)
Observatory| 290.4 m (952.76 ft)
Technical details
Floor count| 99
Floor area| 185,000 m2 (1,991,323 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators| 45
Design and construction
Architect(s)| Ellerbe Becket
Developer| Kingdom Holding Company
Engineer| Arup
Main contractor| EL-Seif Engineering Contracting & Salini Impregilo (Webuild)
References
[1][2][3][4]
Daytime view of Kingdom Centre

Kingdom Centre (Arabic: مركز المملكة), formerly Kingdom Tower, is a 41-story, 302.3 m (992 ft) skyscraper in the al-Olaya district of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. When completed in 2002, it overtook the 267-meter (876 ft) Faisaliah Tower as the tallest tower in Saudi Arabia. It has since been surpassed and, as of 2021[update], is the fifth-tallest skyscraper in the country, whose tallest two buildings are The Clock Towers and the Capital Market Authority Tower. It is the world's third-tallest building with a hole after the Shanghai World Financial Center and the 85 Sky Tower in Taiwan. It contains the King Abdullah Mosque, which is the world's most elevated mosque from ground level.

The tower was developed by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal,[5] and designed by the team of Ellerbe Becket and Omrania, who were selected through an international design competition.[6] It is situated on a 100,000–square-metre site and houses the 57,000-square-meter Al-Mamlaka shopping mall, offices, the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh,[7] and luxury apartments. There is a 65m skybridge atop the skyscraper.[8][9]

The upper third of the tower features an inverted parabolic arch topped by a public sky bridge.[9] The sky bridge is a 300-ton steel structure, taking the form of an enclosed corridor with windows on both sides. After paying the admission fees, visitors take two elevators to reach that level.[10]

## Design

[edit]

The Kingdom Centre was designed by the US-based architecture firm Ellerbe Becket in a joint venture with the Riyadh-based architecture and engineering firm Omrania and Associates. The building is composed of a tower and a podium comprising two symmetrical wings. The tower's almond-shaped plan and curving forms gives the building a distinctive shape that helps keep it cool, with the narrow ends facing the east and west where heat gain is greatest. A high-performance curtain wall, made from silver, butt-jointed reflective glazing, also helps control heat gain while concealing the three main mechanical floors to create a seamless facade.[9]

At the top of the tower, an inverted arch is spanned by a glass skybridge housing a public observation deck.[11] The large opening allows the building to rise higher than the height limit—30 occupied floors—mandated by local laws. Its design was inspired by iconic structures from around the world, including the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, The Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Eiffel Tower.[12]

From base to top, the tower house 13 floors of offices, 10 stories of hotel, five stories of luxury apartments, and additional office space at the top.[13] The East wing of the podium houses the Al-Mamlaka shopping mall, which features more than 150 stores divided across three levels - the first targeted to young people, the second to fashion and furnishings, and the third level is reserved for women.[14] The West wing houses event and entertainment spaces.

### Structure

[edit]

The Kingdom Center is built on a four-meter-thick, 3,100-square-meter raft foundation.[15] Its structure consists of two systems: reinforced concrete columns, beams, and core for the first 180 meters, and a tubular steel frame structure for the building's remaining height.[9][15]

### Mechanical systems

[edit]

A multi-part mechanical system was created to accommodate the building's mixed-use program. The tower is cooled by a central chilled water plant, supported by a thermal energy storage system that provides 5,000 tons of cooling capacity. This storage system is used during the hottest hours of the day, allowing the building to shift cool-air production to off-peak hours when electrical demand is lowest.[12]

The podium structures are served by separate mechanical systems designed to accommodate the needs of the building's unique programs. Systems used to cool these spaces include variable air volume, constant volume, and fan coils.[12]

## See also

[edit]

* Saudi Arabia portal

* List of tourist attractions in Riyadh

### Similar towers

[edit]

* Shanghai World Financial Center, building in China

### Other towers

[edit]

* Al Faisaliyah Center
* List of tallest buildings in Saudi Arabia
* Jeddah Tower

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kingdom Centre". CTBUH Skyscraper Center.CTBUH+Skyscraper+Center&rft.atitle=Kingdom+Centre&rft_id=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/wd/494&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Kingdom+Centre" class="Z3988">
2. ^ "Emporis building ID 100934". Emporis. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
3. ^ "Kingdom Centre". SkyscraperPage.
4. ^ Kingdom Centre at Structurae
5. ^ Khan, Riz (2005). Alwaleed, Businessman Billionaire Prince. New York: HarperCollins. pp. 139–141. ISBN 9780060850302.
6. ^ "Kingdom Centre - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
7. ^ "Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Hotel Review". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
8. ^ "Kingdom Centre | Sky Bridge". Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
9. ^ a b c d Binder, Georges (2006). Tall Buildings: Of Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Images Publishing. p. 212\. ISBN 1876907819. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
10. ^ "Sky Bridge". Official site. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
11. ^ "The Sky Bridge at Kingdom Centre".
12. ^ a b c Commemorative Publication: Kingdom Centre. Al Hilal Group. 2002. p. 65.
13. ^ "Kingdom Center". Omrania. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
14. ^ "Al Mamlaka at Kingdom Centre". www.stirarchitecture.com. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
15. ^ a b "Kingdom Centre". Architect Magazine. 19 November 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2019.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kingdom Centre.

* Official website
* Omrania official website
* Kingdom Centre at Ellerbe Becket

Records

Preceded by

Al Faisaliyah Center

|  Tallest building in Saudi Arabia
2002 – 2010  | Succeeded by

Capital Market Authority Headquarters

* v
* t
* e

Emporis Skyscraper Award

* Sofitel New York Hotel (2000)
* One Wall Centre (2001)
* Kingdom Centre (2002)
* The Gherkin (2003)
* Taipei 101 (2004)
* Turning Torso (2005)
* Hearst Tower (2006)
* Het Strijkijzer (2007)
* Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower (2008)
* Aqua (2009)
* Hotel Porta Fira (2010)
* 8 Spruce (2011)
* Absolute World (2012)
* The Shard (2013)
* Wangjing SOHO (2014)
* Shanghai Tower (2015)
* VIA 57 West (2016)
* Lotte World Tower (2017)
* MGM Cotai (2018)
* Lakhta Center (2019)
* Crown Sydney (2020)
* Valley Amsterdam (2021)

* v
* t
* e

Supertall skyscrapers (300 m/984 ft and taller)

Completed

Africa

| Egypt|

* Iconic Tower

|

Americas

| Chile|

* Gran Torre Santiago

|

Mexico|

* Torres Obispado

United States|

* 1 Manhattan West
* 111 West 57th Street
* 3 World Trade Center
* 30 Hudson Yards
* 35 Hudson Yards
* 432 Park Avenue
* 50 Hudson Yards
* 53W53
* 875 North Michigan Avenue
* Aon Center
* Bank of America Plaza
* Bank of America Tower
* Central Park Tower
* Chrysler Building
* Comcast Technology Center
* Empire State Building
* Franklin Center
* JPMorgan Chase Tower
* One57
* One Vanderbilt
* One World Trade Center
* Salesforce Tower
* St. Regis Chicago
* The Brooklyn Tower
* The New York Times Building
* The Spiral
* Trump International Hotel and Tower
* Two Prudential Plaza
* U.S. Bank Tower
* Wells Fargo Plaza
* Willis Tower
* Wilshire Grand Center
* World Trade Center (1973–2001) †

Asia

| China|

* Baoneng Center
* Changsha A9 Financial District
* Changsha IFS Tower T1
* China Resources Headquarters
* China World Trade Center Tower III
* China Zun
* Chongqing IFS T1
* Chongqing World Financial Center
* CITIC Plaza
* Citymark Centre
* Dalian International Trade Center
* Diwang International Fortune Center
* Dongguan International Trade Center 1
* East Pacific Center
* Eton Place Dalian
* Fortune Center
* Gate to the East
* Greenland Hangzhou Center
* Golden Eagle Tiandi Tower A
* Golden Eagle Tiandi Tower B
* Greenland Puli Center
* Guangxi China Resources Tower
* Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre
* Guangzhou International Finance Center
* Guiyang International Financial Center Tower 1
* Hanking Center
* Heartland 66 Office Tower
* Hengqin International Finance Center
* Hon Kwok City Center
* Huachuang International Plaza
* Huaguoyuan Tower 1
* Huaguoyuan Tower 2
* Huijin Center Guangzhou
* Jiangxi Nanchang Greenland Central Plaza
* Jin Mao Tower
* Jin Wan Plaza 9
* Jinan Center Financial City
* KK100
* Leatop Plaza
* Logan Century Center 1
* Longxi International Hotel
* Minsheng Bank Building
* Nanjing International Youth Cultural Centre Tower 1
* One Shenzhen Bay
* Pearl River Tower
* Ping An International Finance Centre
* The Pinnacle
* Poly Pazhou
* Riverview Plaza
* Shanghai Tower
* Shanghai World Financial Center
* Shenglong Global Center
* Shenzhen Center
* Shenzhen CFC Changfu Centre
* Shimao Hunan Center
* Shimao International Plaza
* Shum Yip Upperhills Tower 1
* Shun Hing Square
* Spring City 66
* Suning Plaza 1, Wuxi
* Suning Plaza Tower 1, Zhenjiang
* Suzhou IFS
* Tianjin CTF Finance Centre
* Tianjin Modern City Office Tower
* Tianjin World Financial Center
* Wanda Plaza
* Wenzhou World Trade Center
* White Magnolia Plaza
* Wuhan Center
* Wuhan Greenland Center
* Wuhan Yangtze River Shipping Center
* Wuxi IFS
* Wuxi Maoye City – Marriott Hotel
* Xi'an Glory International Financial Center
* Xiangjiang Fortune Finance Center
* Yantai Shimao No.1 The Harbour
* Yuexiu Fortune Center Tower 1
* Zhongzhou Holdings Financial Center
* Zhuhai Tower
* Zhujiang New City Tower
* Zifeng Tower

|

Hong Kong|

* Bank of China Tower
* Central Plaza
* International Commerce Centre
* International Finance Centre
* Nina Tower
* The Center

Japan|

* Abeno Harukas
* Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower

Kazakhstan|

* Abu Dhabi Plaza

Kuwait|

* Al Hamra Tower
* Arraya Tower

Malaysia|

* The Exchange 106
* Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur
* Merdeka 118
* Petronas Towers
* Telekom Tower

Philippines|

* Metrobank Center

Qatar|

* Aspire Tower
* Lusail Plaza Towers 3 and 4

Saudi Arabia|

* The Clock Towers
* Kingdom Centre
* PIF Tower

South Korea|

* Haeundae Doosan We've the Zenith
* Haeundae LCT The Sharp
* Lotte World Tower
* Parc1
* Posco Tower-Songdo

Taiwan|

* 85 Sky Tower
* Taipei 101

Thailand|

* Baiyoke Tower II
* ICONSIAM
* MahaNakhon

Turkey|

* CBRT Tower

United Arab
Emirates|

* 23 Marina
* Address Boulevard
* Address Downtown
* ADNOC Headquarters
* Almas Tower
* Amna Tower
* Burj Al Arab
* Burj Khalifa
* Cayan Tower
* DAMAC Residenze
* Elite Residence
* Emirates Office Tower
* Etihad Towers
* Gevora Hotel
* HHHR Tower
* Il Primo Dubai
* The Index
* Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel
* JW Marriott Marquis Dubai
* The Landmark
* Marina 101
* The Marina Torch
* Ocean Heights
* Princess Tower
* Rose Tower
* World Trade Center Abu Dhabi

Vietnam|

* Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower
* Landmark 81

Europe

| Poland|

* Varso Tower

|

Russia|

* City of Capitals
* Eurasia
* Federation Tower
* Lakhta Center
* Mercury City Tower
* Neva Towers 2
* OKO Tower

United Kingdom|

* The Shard

Oceania

| Australia|

* Australia 108
* Q1 Tower

|

* † No longer standing.

Under construction

| Africa|

| Ethiopia|

* Ethiopian Electric Power Headquarters

|

Côte d'Ivoire|

* Tour F

Asia|

| China|

* Chongqing Corporate Avenue 1
* Evergrande Center
* Eye of Spring Trade Center
* Greenland Group Suzhou Center
* Haikou Tower
* Nanjing World Trade Center Tower 1
* Ningbo Center
* North Bund Centre
* Shandong IFC
* South Asian Gate
* Suzhou Zhongnan Center
* Tianshan Gate of the World Plots 27 and 28
* Wuhan CTF Finance Center
* Xi'an Greenland Center
* Xiamen International Centre
* Xiangmi Lake New Financial Center

|

Other|

* Burj Azizi
* Highwealth Huiguo 90
* Jeddah Tower
* Legacy Tower
* One Bangkok
* Taipei Twin Towers
* Thamrin Nine
* Torch Tower

North America|

* 270 Park Avenue
* 520 Fifth Avenue
* Concord Sky
* SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge
* One Bloor West
* Waldorf Astoria Miami

South America|

* Senna Tower

On hold

* 2 World Trade Center
* 45 Broad Street
* Baoneng Shenyang Global Financial Center
* Busan Lotte Town Tower
* Chengdu Greenland Tower
* Chongqing Tall Tower
* Dalian Greenland Center
* Diamond Tower (Jeddah)
* Dubai Pearl
* Dubai Towers Doha
* Forum 66
* Gate of Kuwait
* Goldin Finance 117
* Hyundai Global Business Center
* Lamar Towers
* Mandarin Oriental Chengdu
* Marina 106
* Namaste Tower
* Nanjing Olympic Suning Tower
* One Tower
* Palais Royale, Mumbai
* Pentominium
* Runhua Global Center 1
* Ryugyong Hotel
* Sino-Steel Tower
* Skycity
* Square Capital Tower
* The Stratford Residences
* Tameer Commercial Tower
* Tianjin R&F Guangdong Tower
* Tour Financial Hub Center
* Tower Infinity
* VietinBank Business Center Office Tower

See also
Proposed supertall skyscrapers
List of architects of supertall buildings

* v
* t
* e

Riyadh

History|

* Timeline

Landmarks|

* Al Faisaliyah Center
* Al Majdoul Tower
* Burj Rafal
* Deera Square
* Granada Center
* King Fahd International Stadium
* Kingdom Centre
* Masmak fort
* Murabba Palace
* National Museum of Saudi Arabia
* Red Sand
* Riyadh TV Tower
* KAFD World Trade Center

Education|

* Alfaisal University
* Arab Open University
* King Saud University
* Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University
* Prince Sultan University

Football clubs|

* Al Shabab
* Al-Nasr
* Al-Hilal
* Al-Riyadh

Transport|

* Riyadh Metro ( 1 2 3 4 5 6 • List of stations)
* King Khalid International Airport
* Riyadh Bus

* Category

*[CTBUH]: Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
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