Figures explained
King Salman Park cost figures explained
When two sources give two different numbers, it's rarely because one of them is wrong. They may be measuring different scopes, or on different dates. We put the figures side by side and explain the gap.
What does King Salman Park cost?
Is it $23bn, SAR72bn, $10bn, $25bn or $9bn?
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$9 billion (2023) An earlier Knight Frank figure for the development, with $8.8bn of contracts awarded and about 47% complete at that time, per our research notes. We have not seen the original 2023 report, so we hold it at low confidence. · as of Jan 2023 AGBI
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$9.4 billion (valuation, July 2024) A valuation by Knight Frank in July 2024 as reported by AGBI; a value at a date, not a budget. · as of Jul 2024 AGBI
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$10 billion The 'project value' field on Parsons' own project page. Its scope is not explained. Parsons
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$23 billion (SAR 86 billion) for four projects The 2019 launch figure covers King Salman Park, Sports Boulevard, Green Riyadh and Riyadh Art together. It is not the cost of the park alone. · as of Mar 2019 King Salman Park Founda…
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$25 billion the figure we lead with The headline project value in the Foundation's own 2025 brochure, which The National also used in November 2025. We lead with it because it is the owner's current published figure; its scope is not itemised, so it is not a construction budget and should not be set against the figures below. · as of Nov 2025 King Salman Park Founda…The National
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$23bn government plus $15bn private A secondary-source split carried by Wikipedia and Illustrarch, which reuses the 2019 four-project figure. Shown for completeness; low confidence. Illustrarch
Dots sit on one scale starting at zero. No figure is called wrong: each one measures a different scope. Read more →
Why figures differ
Explained
How big is King Salman Park?
Why do sources give the park's area as anything from 16.6 to 17.2 km²?
017.2 km²
- About 17 km² (more than 17 million m²)Overall land size as the owner and the governme…
- 16.6 km²Project size on the landscape architect's proje…
- 16.7 km²Area cited in an SPA report on private asset de…
- 16.9 km²Project overview in MEED's May 2024 constructio…
Why figures differ
Explained
What does King Salman Park cost?
Is it $23bn, SAR72bn, $10bn, $25bn or $9bn?
0$23bn government plus $15bn priva…
- $25 billionThe headline project value in the Foundation's …
- $23 billion (SAR 86 billion) for four projectsThe 2019 launch figure covers King Salman Park,…
- SAR 72 billion (about $19bn)ArchDaily's estimated cost of King Salman Park …
- $10 billionThe 'project value' field on Parsons' own proje…
Why figures differ
Awaiting confirmation
How much private money is involved?
Is private investment SAR50bn, SAR150bn or $13bn, and how much is awarded?
0About SAR 150 billion
- About SAR 50 billion ($13.3bn)The part the Foundation is building itself: par…
- About SAR 150 billionTotal private development the Foundation plans,…
- $13 billion (about SAR 50 billion)The 'private investment' headline of 28 Septemb…
- About SAR 20 billion (13.3% of the plan)Value of private assets awarded to date, per ME…
Why figures differ
Awaiting confirmation
How many investment packages are there?
Five committed, or one awarded?
0More than SAR 20 billion
- SAR 4 billion (about $1.1bn)Size of the real estate development fund for th…
- SAR 3.8 billion (about $1bn)Fund size at launch, November 2025.
- SAR 3.2 billion (about $850m)Value of the Retal-led project as reported in M…
- More than SAR 11 billion (about $3bn)Value of the Kolaghassi-led development as anno…
Why figures differ
Awaiting confirmation
How tall is the Museum of World Cultures?
Is the museum building 106 m or 110 m?
0Up to about 110 m
- 106 mFoundation English release, 25 May 2022; descri…
- Up to about 110 mFoundation Arabic release and Royal Commission …
Why figures differ
Resolved
How many seats does the National Theatre have?
Is it 2,300 or 2,500?
02,500 seats
- 2,300 seatsDesign capacity of the multi-performance space,…
- 2,500 seatsEarlier plan in the 2019 Arabic launch release;…
Why figures differ
Resolved
How much water does the park treat?
Is it 192,000, 150,000 or 50,000 m³ a day?
0Up to 192,000 m³ a day
- Up to 192,000 m³ a dayDesign capacity of treated water in Omrania's d…
- About 150,000 m³ a dayFigure quoted by Gerber's team, polished to nea…
- About 50,000 m³ a dayMEED, 30 Sep 2026: a plant operating temporaril…
- 160,000 m³ a dayComponent of the March 2024 MEED water package,…
Why figures differ
Resolved
How big is the Visitor Centre?
Is the Visitor Centre 90,000 m² or something much smaller?
090,000 m²
- 90,000 m²Overall area, site and public space, as stated …
- 80,000 m²Earlier figure in the 2019 launch text, repeate…
- About 6,000 m² GFABuilding GFA listed by MEED; single trade sourc…
Why figures differ
Explained
What is Phase 2 infrastructure worth?
Is it SAR1.8bn or SAR3.2bn?
Why figures differ
Explained
Is it the world's largest urban park?
What is behind the 'world's largest urban park' billing?
017.2 km²
- About 17 km² (more than 17 million m²)Overall land size as the owner and the governme…
- 16.6 km²Project size on the landscape architect's proje…
- 16.7 km²Area cited in an SPA report on private asset de…
- 16.9 km²Project overview in MEED's May 2024 constructio…
Why figures differ
Explained
When will the park be finished?
Late 2026, 2027 or 2030?
0About 95%
- About 95% (Phases 1 and 2)Share of Phase 1 and 2 construction contracts a…
- About 93% (March 2026)An earlier reading of the same measure in March…
- Over 90% (2025)The Foundation's 2025 brochure said over 90% of…
Why figures differ
Awaiting confirmation
When was Package 4 awarded?
November 2025 or 10 March 2026?
0More than SAR 11 billion
- SAR 4 billion (about $1.1bn)Size of the real estate development fund for th…
- SAR 3.8 billion (about $1bn)Fund size at launch, November 2025.
- SAR 3.2 billion (about $850m)Value of the Retal-led project as reported in M…
- More than SAR 11 billion (about $3bn)Value of the Kolaghassi-led development as anno…
Why figures differ
Explained
How big is the Royal Arts Complex?
Is it 500,000 m², 320,000 m² or 300,000 m²?
0More than 500,000 m²
- More than 500,000 m²Site area as stated in the Foundation's 2022 la…
- More than 400,000 m²Site area in the 2019 launch text, repeated by …
- 320,000 m² across 13 structuresBuilt area of the building complex as described…
Why figures differ
Explained
How many homes and hotel rooms are planned?
Why do named deals add up to 5,050 homes when the programme says 12,000?
027,000 residential units
- About 12,000 homesThe official programme listed by the Royal Comm…
- 27,000 residential unitsDevelopment target in the Foundation's 2025 bro…
- About 5,050 homesOur sum of homes disclosed so far: 150 TRIBE Li…
- About 2,300 roomsRooms across the 16 hotels in the official prog…
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