Imagine a skyscraper so vast it could house 20 Empire State Buildings, cloaked in gold, with interiors capable of simulating different parts of the planet—or even other worlds. Picture a futuristic city within a cube, towering 400 meters high, wide, and deep. Now imagine that cube as the centerpiece of the world’s most ambitious downtown project, nestled in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This is the Mukaab.
More than just a building, the Mukaab (Arabic for “cube”) is a vision—a symbol of a new Saudi Arabia determined to leap into the 22nd century. It promises not just architectural marvels, but cultural transformation, technological immersion, and a bold statement of global ambition.
But beneath the CGI mockups and breathtaking promises lies a more complex reality. Is this truly the gateway to a better future, or is it a golden monolith destined to become a vanity project gone awry?
Let’s break down what the Mukaab is, what it aims to achieve, and why its bold aspirations may face serious obstacles on the road to completion.
The Cube That Wants to Change Everything
A Superstructure of Unparalleled Scale
At 400 meters tall, wide, and deep, the Mukaab is a geometrical colossus set to dwarf every structure that came before it. When completed, it will claim the title of largest building in the world by volume—leaving behind Boeing’s Everett Factory in the U.S. and countless other engineering marvels.
Its total volume? A mind-boggling 64 million cubic meters.
Think of the Borg cube from Star Trek, but real—and in gold.
According to renderings and CGI mockups, the Mukaab is not just a monument; it’s a microcosm. The space will contain:
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A fully enclosed skyscraper within a skyscraper
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2 million square feet of commercial, residential, and entertainment space
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Hotels, offices, apartments, tourist attractions, parks—even racetracks for flying cars
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A dome-based holographic display system to simulate different global environments
Step inside, and you might find yourself in the Serengeti one moment and New York City the next—complete with simulated scents, sounds, and sensations.
This is experiential urbanism at its most daring.
The Mukaab’s Role in Vision 2030
The Mukaab is more than just a building; it’s the beating heart of “New Murabba”, a massive redevelopment effort to create a new downtown for Riyadh.
New Murabba aims to deliver:
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A 15-minute city where everything is accessible within a short walk or ride
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19 square kilometers of planned urban space
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8,000 homes in its first phase (ready by 2030)
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Ultimate capacity for 400,000 residents
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25% green spaces
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A 35% reduction in carbon emissions
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Full reliance on electric vehicles
This isn’t just a real estate development—it’s a reinvention of urban life in a city traditionally dependent on cars, oil, and sprawl.
The goal is clear: shift the Kingdom’s economic dependency away from oil and reposition Saudi Arabia as a global cultural and innovation hub. That’s the essence of Vision 2030, the national transformation plan helmed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Technological Marvel or Cultural Misstep?
Faith, Form, and Controversy
Not everyone is cheering.
To many Muslims, the Mukaab’s massive cube shape bears an unsettling resemblance to the Kaaba, Islam’s holiest site located in Mecca. While the Kaaba is relatively modest in scale, the Mukaab’s colossal size, gold-like sheen, and luxury offerings make it seem more like a monument to consumerism than to God.
Some critics have labeled it a “deliberate affront” or even a symbol of idolatry, warning that it may spiritually compete with the Kaaba. The fact that both structures share a linguistic root in Arabic (Kaaba and Mukaab) only fuels the controversy.
Saudi officials insist that the design is based not on the Kaaba but on the Murabba Palace, a historic structure in Riyadh. Yet that explanation hasn’t fully quelled the uproar, especially given the palace’s more rectangular—not cubic—design.
Is it a design choice, or a cultural provocation?
Can It Even Be Built?
Building the largest enclosed structure on Earth is no small feat.
1. Structural Engineering Nightmares
Stacking so much concrete, steel, and glass—especially in a cubic shape—raises serious engineering questions. Skyscrapers are tall and slender for a reason: it minimizes weight and structural stress. A cube, however, has:
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A massive, flat roof
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High load-bearing requirements on every floor
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Intense energy demands for lighting, air conditioning, and holographic projection
This will require never-before-seen architectural innovation. Fail to get it right, and the entire building could be structurally unstable, excessively hot, or simply uninhabitable.
2. Labor Issues
At ground level, the daily grind is anything but glamorous.
The Mukaab’s early construction involves 900+ workers operating under harsh conditions—many of whom are migrant laborers. Reports suggest:
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60+ hour workweeks in intense desert heat
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Unpaid 3-hour daily commutes
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Roughly 4 hours of sleep per night
Such labor practices not only raise human rights concerns but also threaten construction safety and long-term project sustainability.
The Livability Dilemma
Sure, living in a high-tech cube sounds cool—until you’re actually doing it.
Imagine being on the 80th floor, in an enclosed megastructure with no natural air or sunlight. Will the holograms be enough to stave off psychological fatigue? Will people truly feel “at home” in what may resemble more of a simulation than a city?
Even if technological hurdles are overcome, the success of the Mukaab relies on whether people actually want to live and work there.
Ecological Ambitions vs Desert Reality
The Mukaab and New Murabba promise:
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Electric-only transportation
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25% green space (in the desert)
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90% waste sorted at source
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35% fewer CO2 emissions
But skeptics point out the challenges:
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Maintaining climate control in a sealed structure under the Arabian sun will require enormous energy
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Water, despite Saudi Arabia’s desalination prowess, remains a scarce resource
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Ecosystem impact of such mega-structures is largely unstudied
Without real sustainability, this could become a golden environmental disaster.
What About Ordinary Saudis?
Perhaps the most pressing question is this:
Who is this really for?
If ticket prices, rent, and commercial spaces are tailored to wealthy elites and tourists, a huge portion of the population will be excluded. Saudi Arabia, despite its wealth, faces rising poverty rates among ordinary citizens. Critics argue that mega-projects like the Mukaab do little to address these everyday challenges.
If average Saudis can’t access the benefits of this new downtown, the Mukaab may become a glittering ghost cube—impressive to look at, but empty inside.
The Verdict: Monumental Potential or Massive Miscalculation?
There’s no denying the boldness of the Mukaab. It’s a futuristic symbol of ambition, status, and innovation—one that could elevate Saudi Arabia to a new tier of global influence.
But that ambition is tempered by:
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Religious backlash
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Engineering challenges
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Sustainability concerns
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Human rights issues
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Economic inequality
Will it become an iconic destination, drawing millions each year and reshaping Riyadh forever?
Or will it stand as a cautionary tale—an oversized monument to overreach?
Only time will tell. But one thing is certain:
The Mukaab is a puzzle the world is watching—eager to see if Saudi Arabia can solve it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the Mukaab?
A: The Mukaab is a massive cube-shaped skyscraper planned for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. At 400 meters in height, width, and depth, it will be the largest building in the world by volume.
Q: What will be inside the Mukaab?
A: The interior will house a fully enclosed skyscraper, commercial spaces, residences, parks, cultural centers, holographic environments, and more.
Q: Is it meant to compete with the Kaaba?
A: Officially, no. Saudi developers claim the design is inspired by the historic Murabba Palace. However, many Muslims view the resemblance to the Kaaba as controversial or even blasphemous.
Q: How much will it cost to build?
A: An estimated $50 billion. It is expected to generate around $48 billion in returns, not including long-term revenue.
Q: When will it be completed?
A: The first phase of New Murabba is expected to be completed by 2030. No specific date has been given for the Mukaab’s completion.
Q: Is it environmentally sustainable?
A: The project aims to be sustainable, with green spaces and electric transportation. However, experts are skeptical about the feasibility of maintaining such structures in the desert climate.
