Satellite imagery has revealed that construction has begun on “Hidden Marina”, the Red Sea end-section of Saudi Arabia’s 170km-long, 200m-wide city “The Line”, as reported by Business Insider.
Aerial images show a mirrored facade being built, leading to a marina complex. Only earthworks are visible for Neom’s other areas.
The 2.4km-long section will be 500m tall and is estimated to cost $140bn, according to a report quoting Neom chief executive Denis Hickey by the Saudi Gazette.
The 21 million-sq-m project will contain 80,000 homes, 9,000 hotel units, schools, police stations, plus commercial and residential space.
In February, Hickey spoke at Riyadh’s PIF Private Sector Forum, saying 140,000 workers are involved with the project, with services such as plumbing and transport already in place.
Workers on the project span 100 nationalities, but 40% of the employees are Saudi Arabian.
In November, DMAA, Gensler and Mott MacDonald won masterplanning, consultant and infrastructure engineer roles on The Line.
In January, Neom secured $3bn of Italian funding.
The marina is due to be completed in 2030, the original completion date set for the entire 170km- long The Line development.
Al Arabiya English reported last month that developers had said The Line is 20% completed.
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