Leading professional services firm JLL unveiled its regional headquarters in the prestigious King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh last week.
JLL specialises in real estate, investment management, and development consultancy, and the move signals the firm’s commitment to solidifying its presence in Saudi Arabia.
Located in the heart of the Saudi capital, KAFD boasts a landscape featuring 95 buildings designed by 25 globally renowned architectural firms. Encompassing a sprawling 1.6 million square meters, this dynamic district offers cutting-edge office spaces, world-class facilities, and iconic luxury residences.
“Saudi Arabia plays a vital role in accelerating JLL’s long-term and continued growth in the region, and in close collaboration with stakeholders in the Kingdom, we aim to elevate the standards of real estate services here and beyond,” said JLL’s President and Global CEO, Christian Ulbrich.
“The growth trajectory of JLL in Saudi Arabia over the past decade has been phenomenal, bringing continued success to the company and maximising value for our clients.”
KAFD: Hosting the regional headquarter ecosystem
KAFD is a visionary initiative aimed at reshaping urban living, working, and leisure experiences. Strategically located just a 22-kilometre drive from King Khalid Airport, KAFD is under the ownership and management of the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC).
“We are excited to welcome JLL to KAFD’s vibrant community of business leaders and economic powerhouses from across the region,” said Gautam Sashittal, CEO of KAFD.
“JLL’s role in revitalising this iconic project, from master planning to construction, handover, and operations, has been instrumental in attracting leading industry titans from across sectors to expand their regional operations in KAFD under the nurturing [regional headquarters] ecosystem.”
“As Saudi Arabia continues to develop new non-oil growth engines,” he noted, “KAFD’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, smart city solutions and exceptional customer service will be pivotal in accelerating the growth ambitions of a wide range of businesses in the region,” added Sashittal.
Ulbrich, who officially announced the strategic relocation to the Central Business District (CBD) within the capital was officially announced during the second day of the 7th Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, outlined strategies and precautions essential to navigate the complexities of the global real estate market.
According to the firm, the establishment of JLL’s regional headquarters within KAFD also aligns with the district’s achievement as the world’s largest LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) Stage 2 platinum certified project. KAFD, with its scheduled completion in early 2025, is aiming to be the world’s largest certified and sustainable urban quarter.
