King Abdullah Financial District — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Situated in the heart of Riyadh, the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) is an iconic destination that merges the worlds of business and lifestyle in a digitally integrated and sustainable ecosystem, transforming the way contemporary communities live, work, and play. Conceived as a key enabler of Saudi Vision 2030, today, KAFD is the business spine of the Kingdom, anchoring Saudi Arabia’s trillion-dollar economy and driving economic diversification, investment, entrepreneurship, and job creation.    

Spanning 1.6 million square meters with 95 towers designed by 25 world-leading architectural firms, KAFD is the Kingdom’s first vertical city that embodies the concept of a 10-minute city, designed to address the complexities of urban expansion, redefining the essence of urban living. As a premier mixed-use destination, KAFD integrates five asset classes, seamlessly blending Grade A office spaces, luxury residences, exclusive retail, and hospitality offerings, as well as diverse entertainment and recreational experiences— all within a compact, pedestrian-friendly urban ecosystem. The city within a city nurtures a thriving business climate during the day while enriching the lives of its residents with a vibrant community and cultural scene. 

Parsons’ Role In KAFD Area 2 Development

We were engaged to revitalize the project by providing project management and construction management (PMCM) services for KAFD Area 2 in Riyadh. Tasked with managing numerous development-wide activities, we have successfully restored and handed over 96% of these structures to date. This remarkable achievement underscores our commitment to excellence and their ability to overcome significant challenges in large-scale projects. 

Building on this effective start, a strong relationship with KAFD establishes a deep understanding of what success looks like to them: 

• Supporting the successful transformation of KAFD through the collaborative management of the Facades Packages. 
• Parsons has successfully taken over the Skywalks project, which includes scoping, bidding, and awarding contracts. By advising and scoping additional associated works under the Skywalks contractor’s responsibility, we have significantly reduced bid preparations and tender evaluations for all Façade and Stage 2 Contracts. This approach led to the award of a single contract managed by KAFD and Parsons, thereby reducing risk, saving time and costs, and expediting the delivery of priority Skywalks.
• Supporting KAFD by running the design competition for, ‘The Link’ (which connects Area 7 to The Leaf). 
• Aiding KAFD on preconstruction delivery activities, existing teams and broader Parsons’ business resources, including multidisciplinary technical resources, are utilized to support the effective delivery of multiple packages. 
• Following the transition of multiple sitewide packages to Parsons and the completion of the AWCS works, the Commissioning Certificate, including CDA certification, was issued to the contractor (ENVAC). Additionally, completion of various sections of the General Public Realm Project, including MEP enhancement work, was accomplished, and the TOC was issued, and the project was handed over to KAFD Operations. 

KAFD Transit System

One of KAFD’s mobility requirements is a Monorail system that comprises technologically advanced driverless trains linking six stations within the Leaf and into Area 6. The stations service locations such as a link to the Riyadh Metro, the Conference Centre, and Financial Plaza.

The Monorail system is set to move 3,500 people per hour and is configured as a single loop with a round-trip journey time of less than 14 minutes. Upon completion, the Monorail system will enhance everyday life within KAFD by opening new mobility routes. With the link to the Riyadh Metro, it should provide seamless travel for many while reducing pressure on car parking assets.

Parsons’ Integrated Office Environment: A Model for Seamless Coordination and Project Efficiency 

One challenge the client requested our assistance with was the coordination of different entities. The first action we took was the establishment of an integrated office environment with Parsons as PMCM and engineer to ensure seamless coordination among stakeholders and avoid the risk of miscommunication which could lead to increased costs and delays. 

We created a partnership approach amongst the client, consultants, and main contractors. This collaborative model promoted transparency and mutual accountability, streamlining decision-making and enhancing project efficiency. In summary, our innovative leadership approach transformed the client’s challenge into an opportunity for improved coordination and successful project execution through a strong, cooperative partnership. 

Minimizing Carbon Footprint 

Sustainability and smart urban living are cornerstones of KAFD’s identity. The District is now the largest business and lifestyle destination globally to receive the LEED ND (Neighborhood Development) Stage 2 Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council, a testament to its leadership in green building and sustainable urban design. It is also the first neighborhood in the Middle East and Africa to achieve WiredScore’s Global Smart Neighborhood Certification for its state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and integration of advanced technologies. 

The project aligns with Parsons’ core principles by emphasizing sustainability and innovation. KAFD is the only LEED platinum-certified Neighborhood Development in the world, as recognized by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC). KAFD’s sustainability footprint extends to over 40 building and landscape certifications, across platinum, gold, and silver status.

Parsons has two key sub-projects that meet these values: 

1. Grand Amphitheater Car Park 

The A11 Luxury Retail Village and Park is a key public space within the Leaf masterplan. It integrates an extensive network of pedestrianized Wadis into a central park, symbolizing the heart of the KAFD masterplan. A11 is envisioned as a luxury retail environment within pavilions centered around the village, with new Monorail station access and underground parking.

The project emphasizes environmental sustainability, aiming to be GOLD LEED-Certified by achieving the following:

2. First LEED Platinum Fire Station In KSA 

The KAFD Fire Station project is set to achieve a remarkable milestone by attaining LEED Platinum certification, the highest standard for environmentally responsible and sustainable building design. This pioneering fire station, completed ahead of schedule in just nine months from the project award, serves as a national model for modern, efficient, and healthy facilities. KAFD proudly attributed the project’s success to the innovative partnership model in place which ensured seamless collaboration. 

The project exceeds LEED Platinum requirements with notable achievements including: 

• 45% renewable energy contribution from PV solar panels 
• Pilot credits for low-mercury lighting, green education, and cleaning policies.  

Additionally, it emphasizes sustainability through locally sourced materials, water-saving systems, and non-toxic building materials, enhancing indoor air quality. 

This project is unique to the region and sets a new standard for high-quality, environmentally responsible, and healthy building design in firefighting facilities, marking it as the first LEED Platinum Fire Station in Saudi Arabia. 

The project is targeting LEED platinum certification and focuses on the following aspects within the design which are considered major concerns that have been tackled: 

• Energy Efficiency through solar panels which power the building’s electrical systems, LED lighting, which consume less electricity than traditional lighting and provide better illumination, as well as an efficient HVAC system. 
• Water Conservation through low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting systems that reduce water consumption by up to 40% compared to conventional buildings. 
• Indoor Air Quality through the use of non-toxic materials and incorporating natural ventilation systems. 
• Materials Selection through locally sourced materials with high recycled content reducing transportation emissions while minimizing waste generation during construction. 

Project Innovation

The building incorporates several innovative technologies that qualify for “innovation credit”. According to the energy model, the simulation shows energy cost savings of 40.5% for the entire building. The installation of PV solar panels, covering approximately 35% of building consumption and resulting in a reduction in main power consumption of up to 25%. Additionally, the building has earned pilot credits for utilizing low mercury lighting and implementing Green Education & Green cleaning policies. 

World’s Only Fire Station with LEED Platinum V4 Certification

The King Abdullah Financial Development (KAFD) is a mixed-use financial district located in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and envisaged as the prime business and lifestyle destination capturing the core values of Vision 2030. Designed by more than 25 of the world’s most prominent architects and design firms such as Foster + Partners, Henning Larsen Architects and Gensler, the development uniquely includes five key asset classes including offices, retail/F&B, residential, hotels and entertainment, and proudly has the tallest skyscraper in Riyadh, at a height of 385 meters with 80 floors.

 Sustainable Project of the Year at Big Project Awards 2025

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Project Scope

The scope of the project encompasses the following: 

• Program Management 
• Construction Management 
• Engineering and Design Management 
• Stakeholder Management 
• Contracts/Commercial Management 
• Procurement Management 
• Risk Management 
• HSE Management 
• QA Management 
• Project Control and Schedule Management 
• Testing and Commissioning Management 
• Security Management 
• Logistics Management 
• Document Control 
• Project Reporting 

We continue to support KAFD in its vision to create an iconic destination where urban living is redefined, providing world-class commercial offices and retail spaces, contemporary residences, and advanced smart city solutions. 

Client Testimonial

“KAFD DMC would like to express its appreciation for the valuable contribution of Saudi Arabian Parsons in providing Project Management and Construction Management (PMCM) consultancy services for King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) projects. This extensive project involved completing the construction of multiple buildings on the Leaf, including construction of skywalk bridges connecting high-rise mixed-use parcels, comprising residential, office, and retail spaces. Saudi Arabian Parsons’ expertise and experience in project management played a significant role in achieving significant progress for the KAFD projects. KAFD DMC appreciate the expertise and professionalism of Saudi Arabian Parsons in the performance of its roles and responsibilities in providing project management oversight in the areas of Construction Management, Safety Management, Quality Management, Project Control and Contract Management.” Chief Asset Delivery Officer, King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company

Urban Development

For 80 years, we have specialized in the management of large, complex, multisite, mega mixed-use and urban development programs throughout the world. Our experienced master planning, project management, and asset management professionals work collaboratively to facilitate decision-making processes that ensure our projects are delivered safely and in compliance with local authority agency guidelines, environmental requirements, and international best practice and standards. Learn more.