Business & Money | Sunday 7 June, 2015 12:52 pm |

Assila Investments and Shangri-La International Hotel Management Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the management and operation of a luxury hotel and residences development in Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia and the principle gateway to Mecca. Slated to open in early 2018, it will be the first Shangri-La in Saudi Arabia.

The 242-room hotel will be in a prominent 65-storey development located on Jeddah Corniche Road facing the Red Sea. Shangri-La will also manage and provide services to 122 residences in the tower. The hotel will feature three restaurants, function rooms, including a three-story grand ballroom, luxury spa and fitness areas, an indoor pool, a children’s club and several lounges.

The building’s dramatic design, by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will, was the recipient of the 2009 MIPIM Architectural Review ‘Future Project Award' for ‘Best Tall Building’. The tower is situated perpendicular to the shoreline to maximise water views and optimise solar exposure, and its exterior ‘skin’ features synthetic fabric architectural sails that shade the interior spaces, protect balconies from wind, maintain privacy and house LED lights that create a distinctive patter over the surface of the building, mimicking the wave of sail in the ocean breeze.


“We are excited about the prospect of developing the first Shangri-La branded hotel in Saudi Arabia and look forward to working closely with the Shangri-La team to bring its renowned hospitality to Jeddah,” said Abdullah Alissa, the CEO of Assila Investments.

“Jeddah is both an important commercial hub and Saudi Arabia’s primary resort city. By partnering with Assila, we will add another exciting and iconic property to our global collection of hotels and resorts and further strengthen our portfolio in the Middle East,” said Shangri-La President and CEO Greg Dogan.