Henning Larsen Architects won the competition for the masterplan of the new financial district of Riyadh in 2006. An area which will create jobs for more than 50,000 people.
The masterplan consolidates the financial institutions in a well-defined area where residences as well as cultural and recreational opportunities will contribute to creating a vibrant and attractive area around the clock. Until now, Henning Larsen Architects has designed eight of the significant buildings of the District: the Gem Building, Villas in the Sky, Crystal Towers, the Butterfly, Cascading Condos, Skywalks (4 km climatised footbridges connecting all the buildings), the central square Financial Plaza and most recently Children’s Interactive Museum.
All the projects attach great importance to sustainability. Thus, the overall masterplan has been designed to achieve a LEED certification just as many of the individual buildings will achieve either LEED Silver or LEED Gold certifications.
The Financial District is expected to be ready for inauguration by the end of 2012.