Farewell to the Burj Khalifa: This will be the largest building on the planet, with a size equivalent to 4,000 Olympic swimming pools

Construction is surging ahead in Riyadh on The Mukaab, a colossal cube-shaped skyscraper poised to become the largest building on Earth by volume. This architectural marvel will house a spiraling tower inside, with enough capacity to fit the equivalent of 20 Empire State Buildings.

The Mukaab is the centerpiece of New Murabba, a sweeping urban development plan aimed at transforming the heart of Saudi Arabia’s capital. Standing 1,312 feet tall (400 meters) with equal-length sides, the cube will span over 21.5 million square feet of commercial, cultural, and entertainment space—including a 500-room luxury hotel.

“The Mukaab is designed to be a transformative landmark on Riyadh’s skyline, on par with the world’s most iconic structures,” says Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba.

A monumental undertaking

Construction crews have already completed 86% of the foundation excavation, deploying around 250 excavators and more than 400 pieces of heavy equipment daily. Over 13 million cubic yards of earth have been moved—roughly the volume of 4,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Developers emphasize the use of sustainable methods to manage materials throughout the build.

To streamline logistics and reduce traffic congestion, a temporary bridge will be built over King Khalid Highway, helping divert an estimated 800,000 truck trips away from public roads. The goal: faster construction, safer streets, and less pressure on Riyadh’s infrastructure.

Futuristic, immersive experience

Inside, The Mukaab will offer immersive environments with walls capable of projecting dynamic scenes—from African savannas to the New York City skyline. “You could fall asleep in the Serengeti and wake up in Manhattan,” Dyke explains.

Its exterior will draw inspiration from traditional Najdi architecture, blending heritage with innovation. The Mukaab will anchor a new district designed to accommodate 400,000 residents, with Phase One scheduled for completion in 2030—just in time for the World Expo.

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