Economy & Capital Markets

The Beating Heart of the Saudi Economy

Suna3 Al RoyaArchive date: 28 May 20265 min read

📍 Riyadh — Public Investment Fund

The beating heart of the Saudi economy—a business and modern lifestyle destination reshaping Riyadh's skyline

🏢 95 Towers and Buildings

📐 1.6M m² Total Area

🏦 140+ Corporate Tenants

🌍 25 International Architecture Firms

🏆 The World's Largest LEED Platinum Project

What Is KAFD?

King Abdullah Financial District, “KAFD,” is located in Riyadh's Al Aqiq neighborhood and is the Kingdom's leading business and lifestyle destination, combining a premium business environment with modern living within an integrated digital ecosystem.

The district includes 95 towers designed by 25 international architecture firms, including Foster + Partners, Henning Larsen, Gensler, SOM, and Zaha Hadid Architects.

🏛️ Wholly Owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Since 2018

Explore KAFD's Facilities

Five main pillars make KAFD an integrated destination operating around the clock

🏢 Offices 🚇 KAFD Metro 🕌 Mosque 🏠 Residences 🛍️ Leisure

First-Class Business Spaces

KAFD hosts more than 140 local and international companies and over 75 regional headquarters of major multinationals, making it the region's foremost economic hub.

Grade A office spaces meeting the highest global standards

The 385-meter PIF Tower—Riyadh's tallest tower

Digital infrastructure and an ultra-high-speed communications network

Co-working spaces for startups and freelancers

KAFD Metro Station — Zaha Hadid's Masterpiece

Designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, it opened in December 2024 as a major interchange on the Riyadh Metro network, with a distinctive organic design.

Connects the Blue, Yellow, and Purple metro lines

An organic, curving design unlike any other in the world

25 minutes from King Khalid International Airport

Internal driverless monorail (3.6 km)—opening in 2027

KAFD Grand Mosque — A Spiritual Heart Amid Modernity

The Grand Mosque stands at the center of KAFD as a symbol of authentic Islamic identity. Designed by Omrania in a contemporary style that respects Islamic heritage, it won a 2017 World Architecture Festival award.

Winner of a 2017 World Architecture Festival Award

Accommodates thousands of worshippers in an exceptional setting

Shaded, air-conditioned walkways link it to the district's facilities

An interior design combining authenticity with contemporary style

Refined Living in the Heart of Riyadh

More than 200 luxury apartments are available in four residential towers equipped with the latest smart-home technologies, with residential units making up 28% of the total area.

Premier & Signature apartments with one, two, or three bedrooms

Swimming pools, gyms, and comprehensive luxury amenities

Integrated smart-home systems

The district accommodates up to 12,000 residents

Shopping, Entertainment, and Dining That Never Stop

KAFD offers a complete lifestyle ecosystem, including international and local restaurants, upscale retail outlets, and ongoing cultural and entertainment events.

Weekly Saturday Market—experiences, fashion, and arts

International restaurants and cafés open around the clock

Upscale retail outlets and open public spaces

Drone shows and National Day celebrations

🌿 The World's Largest LEED Platinum Project

KAFD holds the world's highest green-building certifications and seeks carbon neutrality by 2050 through solar energy and district cooling systems.

Sustainability and the Smart City

Environmental performance indicators toward net-zero emissions in 2050

Energy Efficiency 85%

Renewable Solar Energy 60%

Water Conservation 70%

Recycling 50%

Low-Emission Mobility 90%

KAFD's Exceptional Features

What makes KAFD an unmatched destination in the region and the world

An Integrated Vertical City

The Kingdom's first vertical city embracing the “10-minute city” concept, with everything you need just steps away.

Air-Conditioned Walkways — The World's Longest

A 15.5 km network of shaded walkways connecting all the district's buildings—the longest of its kind in the world.

The Regional Business Capital

Hosts more than 75 regional headquarters of major companies such as Aramco, PepsiCo, Pfizer, and ExxonMobil.

KAFD's Historic Milestones

King Abdullah Financial District's journey through the years

The Vision Begins

Saudi Arabia announced King Abdullah Financial District as an ambitious project to establish an integrated financial center in the heart of Riyadh.

Construction Begins

Construction officially began under the supervision of the Saudi Public Pension Agency, with a master design by the Danish firm Henning Larsen.

A New Direction with Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 reshaped KAFD's strategy, transforming it into a mixed-use destination combining business, residences, and leisure.

Ownership Transfers to the Public Investment Fund

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquired KAFD and established KAFD DMC to manage and develop it independently.

KAFD Metro Station Opens

Designed by Zaha Hadid, KAFD Metro Station opened in December 2024, marking a turning point in Riyadh's urban mobility system.

ModeScore Certification — A World First

KAFD became the world's first financial district to receive ModeScore Platinum certification in recognition of its low-emission mobility infrastructure.

“KAFD embodies the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 as an integrated city that establishes Riyadh as a regional business capital and lays the foundation for a diversified, sustainable economy.”

— Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia