Saudi Arabia is building its own version of the Champs-Élysées boulevard. The planned fashion strip will be equal in size to the Parisian avenue at the US$50bn Diriyah Gate mega-development.
Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo confirmed plans at this year’s Future Investment Initiative held in Riyadh. He said: “The Crown Prince has had a wonderful idea – which he has so many of – he has a concept to connect Diriyah’s rich cultural heritage to the future. This would allow a new boulevard which we are already building. It is in praise of, but not copying, the Champs-Élysées.”
Diriyah Gate is one of the burgeoning cultural hubs of the Kingdom, encasing the original seat of Saud – Al-Turaif – and home to a UNESCO Heritage Site. Inzerillo further revealed the proposed boulevard would have along it a 20,000-seat performance arena, an opera house, a convention centre and a contemporary art museum.
As with the original French district, Diriyah’s Champs-Élysées will be packed with fashion houses, art galleries and cafes. Diriyah Gate properties include Emaar’s Address Hotels + Resorts and Baccarat Hotels & Resorts. Campbell Gray Hotels and Resorts will have a property in the Bujairi district, as will a 100-key Capella Hotels and Resorts property.
Legendary French F&B player Fauchon will open its first Fauchon Hotel in the Middle East and an 80-key retreat from Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts will make its debut in Saudi Arabia. Armani Hotels is also confirmed to open a property in Saudi Arabia.
Orient Express, Raffles, Park Hyatt, The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, and Marriott’s The Luxury Collection are the remaining brands in Diriyah Gate itself. To the west of Diriyah at Wadi Safar will be an Oberoi and a Six Senses. The first opening will be Marriott’s Luxury Collection property, opening in 2022 with 141 keys.

Saudi Arabia is building its own Avenue Champs-Élysées boulevard
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