RIYADH. NEOM has announced the launch of Hidden Marina, the first phase of its highly anticipated project, THE LINE. Denis Hickey, Chief Development Officer of NEOM, shared the details during the PIF Private Sector Forum in Riyadh. The project aims to redefine urban living with a fully integrated vertical city built in modular 800-meter sections.
What is Hidden Marina?
Hidden Marina will stretch 2.5 kilometers in length and reach a height of 500 meters. It will consist of three interconnected modules designed to house over 200,000 residents. With a total built-up area exceeding 21 million square meters, it far surpasses structures like the Burj Khalifa, which has a built-up area of just 350,000 square meters. The development will include over 80,000 residential units, 9,000 hotel rooms, commercial and retail spaces, schools, healthcare facilities, fire stations, police services, and all necessary infrastructure to function as a self-sustaining city.
Construction and Workforce
More than 140,000 workers are currently involved in the construction of THE LINE, with 5,000 directly employed by NEOM. The workforce includes talent from over 100 countries, with 40% being local Saudi employees. To support the project, NEOM has invested over $140 billion in essential infrastructure, including energy, water, transportation, data, and communication systems.
Key Partnerships and Initiatives
NEOM’s development strategy is supported by two main investment vehicles: the NEOM Investment Fund, which focuses on sector-specific investments, and the NEOM Investment Office, which handles real estate partnerships.
One of the standout initiatives is the NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, which is building the world’s largest green hydrogen plant in collaboration with ACWA Power. Located in the Oxagon industrial zone, the facility aims to play a key role in the global clean energy transition.
Other partnerships include a joint venture with DSV, a global logistics leader, to develop an advanced logistics network. NEOM has also partnered with Samsung to automate rebar production, improving safety and efficiency in construction.
Recently, NEOM signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Data Vault for a $5 billion AI-powered green energy data storage facility at Oxagon. This project highlights NEOM’s focus on sustainable and high-tech infrastructure.
A New Model for Urban Living
According to Hickey, NEOM is not just building a city but creating a new model for urban living. “This is about pushing boundaries and setting a new standard for future cities,” he said. With construction underway, NEOM is steadily turning its vision of a futuristic, self-sustaining metropolis into reality. Hidden Marina represents a significant step forward in this journey, showcasing innovative design and advanced technology.