The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, has announced that it has entered into a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Co. (AREIC), a subsidiary of the Al Mutlaq Group (AMG).
Under the agreement, valued at over SAR 1.5 billion, the two companies will develop Jumeirah The Red Sea, a 159-key luxury resort situated on The Red Sea destination’s hub island, Shura, currently under construction and expected to open in early 2024. Shura Island forms part of the first phase of development, and will comprise 11 luxury, premium and lifestyle hotels and resorts, residential units, a championship golf course, 118 berth marina, and a comprehensive retail, dining, and entertainment offering.
The strategic partnership marks the first Joint Venture established by TRSDC and demonstrates the private sectors confidence in the future success of the Red Sea destination and their willingness to be part of it.
While funding for phase one of The Red Sea Project is secured and in place, the joint venture with AREIC highlights the strong interest and appetite from the private sector to participate and invest in Vision 2030. TRSDC is in parallel discussions with several other investors under a similar framework to invest in The Red Sea Project’s commercial assets, including hotels and resorts, leisure, and retail and dining experiences. Moreover, AMAALA and additional soon-to-be-announced projects in the developer’s expanding portfolio bring with them additional opportunities for investors.
The announcement follows TRSDC achieving Financial Close on its SAR 14.120 billion (USD 3.76 billion) Green Financing earlier this year with four leading Saudi banks (Banque Saudi Fransi, Riyad Bank, Saudi British Bank, and Saudi National Bank). As the first-ever Riyal denominated green financing, TRSDC was acknowledged with an award for Project Finance Deal of Year in the Capital Markets Saudi Arabia Awards 2021 plus the Best New Green Loan Financing Project Award at the International Finance Awards 2022.
The Red Sea Project has demonstrated significant progress on the ground, with Phase One now more than 50 percent complete and several key assets already fully operational, including a four-star management hotel, on-site offices, and the largest landscape nursery in the region.
TRSDC and AMAALA have awarded over 1000 contracts worth in excess of 25 billion riyals. Work is on track to welcome the first guests in early 2023, when the first hotels will open, with the balance of phase one set to complete by early 2024.
Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea Project will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and more than 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include an international airport, luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment, and leisure facilities.