Next chapter of success in Riyadh

In 2016, the Saudi Arabian government announced Saudi Vision 2030—a national program aimed at increasing diversification across society and the economy. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) strides confidently toward Vision 2030, Riyadh is set to become the epicenter of future retail, entertainment, and enriched living. At the heart of this transformation is Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi, a groundbreaking development that promises to redefine guest experiences in the Kingdom.

Scheduled to open in 2026, Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi will be a monumental addition to Saudi Arabia’s retail landscape. With a gross leasable area (GLA) exceeding 220,000 square meters, this architectural marvel seamlessly blends heritage with futuristic design and is qualified for gold LEED certification—a first for malls in KSA. It is expected to attract 20 million visitors a year, who will spend 5 billion Saudi riyals (equivalent to $1.3 billion USD). 

Earlier in 2025, Cenomi Centers announced an exclusive, up to 20-year franchising partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). The deal grants Cenomi exclusive rights to the Westfield brand in the Kingdom and access to URW’s global expertise in leasing, operations, marketing, and retail media. The partnership aims to elevate customer experience, attract top global brands, and support Vision 2030 by enhancing tourism and retail standards, with Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi among the first rebranded malls.

A myriad of retail options

With more than 300 stores, Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi promises an unparalleled mix of international luxury brands, flagship stores, lifestyle experiences, next-gen experiential dining options, and world-class entertainment. It aims to set a new standard for consumer centers in the region and become a global shopping destination. 

The prestigious luxury precinct within the mall will offer VIP experiences tailored for discerning shoppers seeking high-end products. 

A dynamic hub for style, the Fashion District will blend global brands with emerging local talent. Curated to offer the latest trends, it will serve as a premier fashion destination where shoppers can discover exclusive international debuts in KSA alongside cutting-edge local designs. Bringing 30 new brands to the Kingdom across 70-plus flagship stores, this vibrant space offers an immersive, trendsetting retail experience in one central location.

Beyond shopping, lifestyle takes center stage with cutting-edge sports districts and experiential media zones showcasing beloved Saudi shows. The Lifestyle District will pulse with energy, creating a hub that features a cutting-edge sports district, media offerings for the Kingdom’s broadcasters, a flagship supermarket, a high-end gym, and attractive co-working spaces. 

The Jewel

The Jewel is the beating heart of Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in new worlds every 30 minutes through live shows enhanced by a 20-meter-tall interactive display, atmospheric water effects, and remarkable projections across 3,500 square meters of roof—a first-of-its-kind immersive 3D experience. 

Of course, dining is also crucial to such a development. At Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi, four distinct Food Districts promise to blend entertainment with dining, creating memorable social sensory journeys for all visitors, across premium dining, pavilions in the outdoor promenade, an indoor dynamic holographic dining experience and KSA’s premier experiential and social communal food hall. 

The Entertainment District offers diverse leisure activities for all ages—from thrilling kids’ theme parks and play areas to “sportainment” hubs equipped with digital simulators—and it even hosts KSA’s first-ever digital museum. It is also equipped with a 3,000-seat event arena that will host more than 50 of the most exciting and innovative shows in the Kingdom.

Offices for the modern worker

The development is designed to include more than 65,000 square meters of Grade A office space with amenities ranging from temperature control and a first-class food hall to a modern gym and wellness facility. With sustainability and quality of life front and center, these spaces are planned to offer dedicated infrastructure for electric vehicles, easy access to public transportation, shaded walkways, and more than 5,000 trees.

These office spaces are equipped to support employees’ comfort and well-being at every turn, with easy access to all the facilities that Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi has to offer. 

All according to plan

Phase two of the flagship development’s construction will deliver up to 1,000 lifestyle and premium hotel rooms, premium-branded residences and serviced apartments, and other commercial spaces.

Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi aligns with Vision 2030 goals by driving economic growth through tourism. Expected to attract over 20 million visitors annually while creating approximately 4,000 jobs—including significant opportunities for women—it contributes significantly toward socio-economic development within KSA.

Cenomi Centers’ CEO Alison Rehill-Erguven says the new development assets are designed to support the Kingdom’s ambitions. “We’re proud to support Vision 2030,” she says. “It’s incredibly exciting being part of such a dynamic market, prioritizing both growth through our pipeline but also a keen focus on sustainability, too.” 

Rehill-Erguven said Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi represents a new type of product for Cenomi Centers, improving upon earlier projects because Cenomi Centers understands the ambitions of shoppers in the Kingdom. “We are the market leader for centers in the Kingdom and have held that position for quite some time, so we know the pulse of the Saudi consumer and what they want,” she says.

Innovation remains key as Cenomi Centers integrates technology into retail experiences, aligning global trends with digitalization and enhancing customer engagement while setting new benchmarks regionally. As property management fundamentals come into play during project completion phases ahead, operational excellence becomes crucial to ensuring the successful realization of large-scale projects like Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi.

Muhammed Jawad UrRehman, IREM UAE chapter president, also expressed excitement. “I’m incredibly proud of our founding partner Cenomi Centers for creating this visionary mixed-use ecosystem. Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi perfectly demonstrates how retail, office, entertainment, and future residential components can create powerful synergies that amplify each other’s value. This development will fundamentally reshape Riyadh’s landscape and set a new benchmark for integrated mixed-use excellence across the Middle East. It’s exactly the kind of transformative project that defines the future of our industry.”

Westfield Riyadh by Cenomi represents not only an architectural feat but also an economic catalyst, aligned perfectly with Vision 2030’s objectives of diversifying away from oil dependency through tourism-driven growth initiatives. Through reinventing retail excellence and leisure potential, Cenomi Centers is fostering community convergence under one roof.