Saudi Ministry of Culture Relocates to New Headquarters in Diriyah
Diriyah, The Gulf Observer: Diriyah Company has announced the completion of the relocation of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture to its new headquarters in Diriyah’s Northern District, marking a significant milestone in the development of the historic area as an integrated destination for culture, governance, business and contemporary living.
The relocation follows a memorandum of understanding signed between the Ministry of Culture and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in mid-2022. The agreement established a framework for cooperation between the Diriyah Project and the Ministry of Culture to support the coordination, development and delivery of cultural projects, initiatives and events in line with Diriyah’s integrated master plan.
Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo welcomed the ministry’s move to the new headquarters, describing it as an important step in advancing Diriyah as a fully integrated urban destination.
“We are pleased that the Ministry of Culture has chosen Diriyah as its headquarters, and we are proud of our partnership with the ministry in developing its new headquarters,” Inzerillo said. He added that the relocation reflected the pace of Diriyah’s development and its vision to provide world-class environments for living, working and visiting.
Ministry of Culture spokesperson Abdulrahman Al-Mutawa said the relocation reflected the strong connection between Saudi culture and the Kingdom’s historical roots.
He said the move supports the ministry’s vision of establishing Saudi culture as a key pillar of national development while strengthening its integration with sites of historical and civilizational significance. The development, he added, would contribute to highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural heritage and enhancing Diriyah’s position as a global cultural and historical center.
The new headquarters is the largest standalone office building completed in Diriyah to date, with a total built-up area of 33,168 square meters. The facility has been designed to accommodate the ministry’s workforce and operational requirements, providing an integrated working environment equipped with advanced digital infrastructure, tailored office spaces and high-quality facilities.
The building has received LEED Gold certification under the LEED v4 Building Design and Construction: Core and Shell Development rating system, as well as Gold Commercial certification under Mostadam, Saudi Arabia’s national green building rating system. The certifications reflect the project’s focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and employee health and wellbeing, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The development forms part of Diriyah Company’s broader strategy to establish Diriyah as a leading center for culture, education, arts and entertainment. The project is anchored by the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif and a growing network of cultural and historical destinations.
As part of its wider development program, Diriyah Company is implementing an integrated urban project valued at approximately $63 billion, which has already attracted more than five million visitors. Several major destinations opened in 2024, including Bab Samhan, a Luxury Collection hotel, and Zallal, a mixed-use district featuring dining, retail and office spaces within a traditional setting.
Development across Diriyah is continuing, with the project targeting more than 50 million visitors annually by 2030, the creation of approximately 180,000 jobs, and accommodation for around 100,000 residents.
The relocation of the Ministry of Culture further strengthens the presence of national institutions in Diriyah and underscores the historic district’s emerging role as a major cultural, economic and urban destination under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
