Royal Commission for AlUla Begins Construction on Sharaan Resort, Int’l Summit Center

Royal Commission for AlUla Begins Construction on Sharaan Resort, Int’l Summit Center
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Royal Commission for AlUla Begins Construction on Sharaan Resort, Int’l Summit Center

Royal Commission for AlUla Begins Construction on Sharaan Resort, Int’l Summit Center

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has begun construction of its Sharaan Resort and International Summit Center designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, it said in a press release.

The project will be built directly into the mountains of Saudi Arabia’s Sharaan Nature Reserve and aims to meet ambitious sustainability goals for the construction phase and resort operations, RCU said Wednesday.

In a ceremony at Sharaan Nature Reserve, RCU signed an agreement with Bouygues Construction, a French engineering group, which will manage construction of the resort through a joint venture with Almabani, a leading Saudi engineering firm. Bouygues Construction brings a unique combination of experience in tunneling and construction of ultra-luxury hotels, both required for this complex development.

RCU's Development and Construction sector is spearheading this project with consultation from Canadian firm WSP and with program management support from Jasara, a Saudi firm. Together they will deliver the masterful vision which will immerse guests in the natural and cultural heritage of Sharaan Nature Reserve.

Just as the Nabataean civilisation carved structures into nearby sandstone more than 2,000 years ago, Sharaan resort will carve a new chapter in stone for AlUla's living museum while preserving the natural scenery and native flora and fauna at the heart of RCU's vision for Sharaan. RCU consulted with the world's top experts in mining and excavation to engineer solutions in line with the architectural vision.

Built into a mountain dating back 500 million years, the Sharaan resort will offer a memorable and timeless experience with 38 suites, a spa and wellness center, kids club, sport center, all-day dining restaurant and business center. In addition, a signature fine-dining restaurant will sit atop the mountain with panoramic views of Sharaan. A unique glass elevator will connect the resort with a geologic and artistic experience, offering views of ancient sedimentary layers and niches filled with art and engravings.

Inside an adjacent mountain, the Sharaan International Summit Center will host events and leaders from around the world. With a completely secure and private environment, its design will enable chance encounters and private interaction for guests with shared leisure activities in an informal setting. Facilities will include an auditorium, meeting rooms, majlis (sitting room), library, and a sport and leisure area.

The Summit Center will also have 13 total hospitality pavilions and two private villas will be constructed nearby, completing the project with 53 total hospitality keys.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and the Sustainability Charter for AlUla, the Sharaan Resort and International Summit Center is designed in harmony with its natural environment. Discreet studies of the site have informed the design of passive strategies and natural geological heat transfer to efficiently cool the property in summer and provide warmth in the winter. The project also aims for zero wastewater by using potable water only when needed and by recycling all treatable wastewater for irrigation and other purposes.

Mohammed Altheeb, RCU Chief Development and Construction Officer, said: "The resort was designed with complete reverence for the human and natural history of AlUla, and we are committed to sustainable building practices in line with this same philosophy."

Deputy CEO of Bouygues Construction Pierre-Eric Saint-André, said: "We are grateful to be part of the ambitious cultural and tourism project of AlUla.”

“The bold vision of Jean Nouvel's architectural firm ... is a great source of inspiration for us, since the technical prowess it requires are absolutely unique and incredibly stimulating. We are confident that we will be able to bring our passion for challenges and our state-of-the-art expertise acquired over 70 years on all continents to ensure that this great project becomes an iconic reference in terms of exclusive tourist experience, respect for the environment and harmonious integration within grandiose landscapes."



2,000-year-old Statue is Found Abandoned in Garbage Bag in Greece

The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill as smoke from a wildfire is seen in the village of Varnava blankets Athens, Greece, August 11, 2024. REUTERS/Elias Marcou
The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill as smoke from a wildfire is seen in the village of Varnava blankets Athens, Greece, August 11, 2024. REUTERS/Elias Marcou
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2,000-year-old Statue is Found Abandoned in Garbage Bag in Greece

The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill as smoke from a wildfire is seen in the village of Varnava blankets Athens, Greece, August 11, 2024. REUTERS/Elias Marcou
The Parthenon temple atop the Acropolis hill as smoke from a wildfire is seen in the village of Varnava blankets Athens, Greece, August 11, 2024. REUTERS/Elias Marcou

A marble statue of a woman believed to be more than 2,000 years old was found abandoned in a garbage bag near the Greek city of Thessaloniki, police said Wednesday.

A resident discovered the 80-centimeter (31-inch) headless statue beside a trash bin in Neoi Epivates, outside Greece’s second-largest city. The man turned it over to local authorities, who contacted archaeologists to assess its significance.

Police said experts, following an initial evaluation, determined the piece dates to the Hellenistic era, a period roughly between 320 and 30 B.C. that was marked by a flourishing of art and culture following the conquests of Alexander the Great, The AP reported.

The statue was sent for further examination by archaeologists. It will ultimately be handed over to the local antiquities authority for preservation and study.

Police opened an investigation to determine who discarded the statue and briefly detained a man for questioning who was later released without charge.

Accidental archaeological discoveries are relatively common in Greece, a country renowned for its ancient heritage, and often made during building construction or public works. In December, workers installing natural gas pipelines near Athens uncovered a Roman-era statue of Hermes buried upright in a brick-lined pit near the Acropolis.

Thessaloniki weeks ago unveiled a trove of antiquities found during the decades-long construction of its metro system, which officially opened in November. Key finds, including a marble-paved Roman thoroughfare and tens of thousands of artifacts spanning the Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, are now showcased at subway stations.