Saudi-based Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) has announced that work is moving at a steady pace at its mega master development in Makkah with Phase two and three targeted for completion by year-end and Phase Four by Q4 2024.
The three phases, once complete, will comprise a total of 15 towers, including 5-star and 4-star luxury hotels with 5,000 keys that will be operated by internationally renowned hotel operators, including Jumeirah International Hotel Group, Archipelago International (The Alana Makkah and The Royal Alana Makkah), H Hotels & Resorts (H Hotel) and Emaar Hospitality (The Address Hotel).
The company said with a clear roadmap of increasing delivery rates and commitment to utilizing all resources available to the company, it will continue to support and contribute to the Kingdom’s Saudi’s Vision 2030 goal of hosting 30 million pilgrims by 2030, as well as raising the level and quality of services provided to the pilgrims in order to enrich their experience.
With a land area of over 235,000 sq m, the Jabal Omar master project is being implemented in several phases. On completion, it will have a built-up area of over 2.5 million sq m with a total of 46 towers which include hospitality, commercial and residential developments.
To date, Phase 1 has been fully completed (in Q1 2017) with a total land area and built-up area of 27,000 sq m and over 523,000 sq m respectively.
In order to ensure successful, timely, on-budget and safe completion of the various phases, JODC has signed strategic partnership agreements with several key construction and project management companies, including Fluor International, which will act as the Project Management Consultant for the project.
Through integrating and managing the activities of all contractors and subcontractors on the ground, Fluor International will ensure successful, high-quality delivery, consistent with Jabal Omar’s quality and safety requirements and standards, it added.
The Saudi developer said it continues to mobilize and ramp up construction work on the second and third phases, which are expected to be completed starting from Q4 2022. Most recently, construction work on Phase 4 has resumed, and is expected to be completed by Q4 2024.
“As part of the company’s strategic transformation plan, we have started executing on the vital initiatives within JODC’s comprehensive financial, organizational and operational strategic optimization plan. This has enabled us to set clear targets for all the project’s existing phases as we continue to strive towards increasing delivery rates,” remarked its CEO Khaled Al Amoudi while speaking at the signing ceremony held in Makkah to mark the key milestone and landmark moment.
Al Amoudi pointed out that despite the significant achievements that JODC had made, the challenges it encountered to reach this stage could not be ignored.
“Despite the numerous challenges we overcame during the pandemic in the last two years, our continued perseverance allowed us to attain the accomplishments we have achieved,” he stated.
“This reflects strongly on the wise and insightful vision and stewardship of King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince; and the relentless efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah,” he added.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from JODC’s main contractors, consulting companies, infrastructure companies, and financing banks. During the event, JODC’s Saeed Mohammed Alghamdi, Chairman of the Board and Saad bin Aiban, the Chief Development & Projects Manager, also addressed their partners and commented on the significant milestone.
Bin Aiban said: “We have partnered with renowned experts to complete all project’s existing phases and the infrastructure as per the revised target launch, which is testament to the entire team at JODC and an achievement we are proud of, especially given the delays in the construction work as a result of the global pandemic, and other challenges that the kingdom’s real estate sector faced.”
“From now on, we will work to harness all required resources – from financial to human capital, to ensure timely and on-budget completion of the project while ensuring we continue to adhere to the highest quality and safety standards that JODC is known for. We look forward to updating the market on a regular basis with our progress as we shape and add vitality to the urban landscape of the Holy City of Makkah with our iconic developments,” he stated.
Bin Aiban pointed out that JODC’s focus was firmly on developing phases 2, 3, and 4, which have completion rates of 88 per cent, 93 per cent, and 63 per cent respectively.
“Each of the phases are mixed-use developments comprising hospitality, commercial, luxury residential units, and parking lots, with a combined land area of over 68,000 sqm,” he noted.
“Jabal Omar’s strategic, accessible, and prime location in close proximity to the Grand Mosque as well its deep knowledge and expertise of Makkah’s unique real estate sector, makes it a key enabler and beneficiary of the strategic Hajj and Umrah sector,” he added.
