Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — Sheikh Abdullah Saleh Kamel, chairman of the Founding Committee of the Masar Makkah project and chairman of the Board of Directors of Umm Al Qura Company for Development and Reconstruction, said that the Masar Makkah project is an advanced model for effective partnership with the private sector in developing the holy city of Makkah.
He highlighted the pivotal role of the private sector in realizing the vision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in offering the best possible services for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
Speaking at a cultural gathering titled “Ahdiyah Al-Abdali” on Sunday evening, Sheikh Kamel said that the Masar Makkah project had its origin from projects to develop random neighborhoods of Makkah in 2006. Initially the project was named “King Abdullah Road,” but it was later renamed “King Abdulaziz Road” before being re-launched as an integrated destination under the name Masar.
He noted that the project spans over an area of 3.7 million square meters, encompassing nine undeveloped neighborhoods, and is located only about 4 kilometers from the Grand Mosque. Upon completion, it will accommodate more than 250,000 people. Masar is designed as a multi-use destination that will offer a variety of hospitality, residential, retail and commercial spaces.
Sheikh Kamel revealed that what is happening beneath the surface of the Masar project is no less important than what is visible above it. A complete underground city has been created, equipped with all the necessary infrastructure, in addition to providing approximately 40,000 parking spaces along the route. He added that the route begins from the Haramain High-Speed Railway station and leads to the courtyards of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, passing through the Jabal Omar project buildings, in no more than five minutes, reflecting a modern vision for transportation solutions in the holy city.
Sheikh Kamel explained that the project provides four main ways to reach the Grand Mosque: an underground route, which was linked to the delayed Makkah Metro project; a bus route; a dedicated pedestrian walkway; and a dedicated vehicle lane. He emphasized that the variety of access options aligns with the goal of alleviating traffic congestion and facilitating the movement of pilgrims, residents, and visitors alike.
Sheikh Kamel highlighted the significant shift in land values within the project's boundaries. The project extends from the closest point to the Grand Mosque to the furthest point, with prices per square meter ranging from SR400,000 in the closest areas to SR3,000 in the furthest, reflecting the difference between proximity and development quality. He described the Masar Makkah as one of the most important quality of life projects in the holy city, in addition to being a successful commercial venture. He noted that the company which owns the project is now listed on the stock market and performing well.
Sheikh Kamel expressed his personal connection to the project, saying that Masar is not just an investment or a development plan for him, but “like a son,” given that he chaired the project’s founding committee in addition to his chairmanship of the board of directors of Umm Al Qura Company for Development and Reconstruction, the developer of Masar, thus making him a witness to all stages of the conceptualization, implementation, and transformation.
He revealed that the holding company for the Masar project is currently in discussions with the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites regarding acquiring other undeveloped neighborhoods in Makkah to implement the same concept, with a focus on easiest transportation within the holy city. He emphasized that the new development vision aims to allocate 30 percent of the area of each developed random neighborhood to public parks, with the goal of changing the atmosphere and nature of housing in Makkah and creating a more humane and suitable urban environment for residents, visitors, and pilgrims.
