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Sneak peak at Saudi’s Red Sea hotel development

Saudi Arabia’s The Red Sea Development Co., chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has unveiled the nature-inspired designs for the destination’s gateway island of Shurayrah. The ‘Coral Bloom’ concept, designed by lead architects Foster + Partners, will blend in with the natural environment with 11 hotels forming part of the island’s sweeping dunes, creating an absence of high-rise buildings and seclusion for guests.

Aerial view of the Coral Bloom concept
Aerial view of the Coral Bloom concept

Resorts are being designed to give the impression that they have washed up from the beaches to further enhance the natural landscape of the Island and create a barefoot luxury experience. They have also been adapted in light of the pandemic to increase space for travelers, including the removal of internal corridors.

Shurayrah Island has been identified as one of only 22 islands selected for development at the project as a result of TRSDC’s regenerative approach. The Red Sea Project has already passed significant milestones and work is on track to welcome the first guests by 2022.

Coral Bloom blends hotel with nature
Coral Bloom blends hotel with nature

The resorts themselves will be created using lightweight materials with a low thermal mass and manufactured offsite, meaning more energy efficient construction and less impact on the environment.

“Our vision for Shurayrah is inspired by the island’s natural state, with the hotels designed to give the impression that they have washed up on the beaches and nestled among the dunes almost like driftwood,” said Gerard Evenden, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners. “The materials we use and the low impact they have ensures that the pristine environment is protected, while the additions we make to the island serve to enhance what is already there – hence the name, Coral Bloom.”

TRSDC said it is committed to delivering a 30% net conservation benefit by 2040. It is creating the world’s largest district cooling plant powered by renewable energy 24 hours a day to facilitate efficient centralized cooling across the destination. The entire destination will be powered by renewables, underpinned by the largest battery storage system in the world.

Coral Bloom waterfront
Coral Bloom waterfront

In line with this commitment, the destination’s master plan is informed by an extensive marine spatial planning exercise and leaves 75% of the project’s islands untouched.

The Red Sea Project has already passed significant milestones and work is on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022, when the international airport and the first four hotels will open. The remaining 12 hotels planned in phase one will open in 2023.

Upon completion in 2030, The Red Sea Project will comprise 50 resorts, offering up to 8,000 hotel rooms and around 1,300 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites. The destination will also include luxury marinas, golf courses, entertainment and leisure facilities.

“We expect guests to be awed by what they see when they first arrive at The Red Sea Project, enjoying a truly immersive barefoot luxury experience. The Coral Bloom designs, taking inspiration from the incredible flora and fauna found uniquely in Saudi Arabia, promise to make that vision a reality,” said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC.

“Shurayrah Island is the gateway to The Red Sea Project so it’s important that it sets the standard in groundbreaking architecture and sustainable design, not just for our destination, but globally too. This is achieved by going beyond simply protecting the environment, to applying a regenerative approach,” he added.

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