Interview: Abdullah Saud Al-Subaie: Cityscape Global is a national and global platform that reflects the great ambition of the Kingdom’s real estate sector, having evolved into a premier national real estate event, bringing together under one roof a select group of real estate developers and investors from most parts of the world to present and showcase unique opportunities that directly contribute to shaping the future of the Kingdom’s real estate sector.
The real estate newspaper «Amlak» conducted a tour of the exhibition and came up with the following findings:
Emad Al-Barakat: Developing the visitor experience into different formats
Dr. Emad Al-Barakat said that the exhibition features a very high volume of activities and saves a great deal of time and effort in getting to know companies from various fields interested in real estate and real estate development, through meetings and interviews that may not be available throughout the year, but Cityscape Global provides this all under one roof, in addition to the many diverse offers and incentives designed to attract customers; therefore, it presents a comprehensive market with intense competition that ultimately benefits the customer.
Al-Barakat expressed his interest in real estate development companies, pointing to a diverse range of companies operating in the land sector. Emad Al-Barakat concluded his remarks by inviting anyone who intends to be involved in real estate—whether now or in the future—to visit such exhibitions; as they provide a clear picture through the diverse offerings of these companies, in addition to broadening visitors" perspectives on different approaches to real estate.
Abdul-Ilah Al-Omari: Distinctive Real Estate Products at Competitive Prices
For his part, Abdul-Ilah Al-Omari, a provider of virtual tour services, praised the Kingdom’s tremendous efforts in organizing this exhibition, which featured a vast number of real estate products and truly represented a quantum leap. Al-Omari explained that he had witnessed an exceptional digital transformation in both the real estate sector and the PropTech sector.
He said that what inspires optimism is that real estate developers have a genuine passion for driving their products toward this digital transformation, noting that one of the most distinctive features of »Cityscape Global«this year is the availability of exceptional real estate products at highly competitive prices—a unique advantage found only here.
Al-Omari urged prospective investors to take advantage of such opportunities, saying: »The future is here! Your investment will be profitable throughout the Kingdom," emphasizing that the exhibition represents an irreplaceable opportunity for those seeking housing during these four days, as it offers the chance to secure the best and most affordable prices possible.
Abdullah Al-Dail: We’re shaping the future by offering high-quality projects to beneficiaries
Abdullah Al-Dail, of the Rawajih Group, a real estate investment entity, that Cityscape Global is the premier platform for real estate companies and government agencies to showcase their real estate projects and highlight their role in the development of the real estate sector. Currently, one of the objectives of Vision 2030 is growth in the real estate sector. To achieve this development, we must create high-quality, innovative, and forward-thinking projects that serve citizens and investors, and we must anticipate the future to deliver projects that provide a unique experience for beneficiaries.
He added that the initiative of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, ensures balance in the real estate sector by providing planned and developed land to citizens—ranging from 10,000 to 40,000 plots annually over the next five years. He emphasized that the real estate sector is poised for further development, expansion, and prosperitythanks to the current support measures aimed at providing more opportunities for individuals to own homes or for real estate investors to develop properties.
Khalid Al-Khalifa: Finalizing Transactions for First-Time Homebuyers
Khalid Al-Khalifa, a sales representative at Naqsh Investment Company, praised the very high turnout at the Cityscape Global exhibition, especially since the event is competitive and serves the interests of attendees, which is essential for those seeking residential or investment opportunities. He noted that more than four deals were closed on the first day for first-time homebuyers, confirming that the expo provides housing opportunities for those searching for their dream home.
Bandar Al-Yami: Providing More Than One Option for Purchasing a Residential Unit
Bandar Al-Yami, from Rakaaz Real Estate, expressed his admiration for the organization, the large turnout, and the excellent ease of entry and exit at this international exhibition, which is held once a year. He said: »The exhibition offers many options and opportunities at varying price points, determined by specifications and square footage, given the high demand for it every year; therefore, investors are keen to provide these opportunities," noting that the exhibition confirms there is more than one way to purchase a residential unitfor those who wish to own a home for themselves and their families.
Abdulmajeed Al-Samani: An Opportunity to Take Advantage of Competitive Discounts
Abdulmajeed Al-Samani of Tharaa Real Estate said, that the exhibition stands out every year, reaching a larger audience and making the search for real estate easier for prospective buyers, as it brings together all projects in Riyadh and various regions of the Kingdom under one roof. In addition, it gathers all real estate developers and offers them competitive discounts of up to 750,000 riyals on projects in northern Riyadh, and other discounts in various neighborhoods of Riyadh that may reach 500,000 riyals for units ranging from 290 m to 350 m, featuring three floors, four bedrooms, two parking spaces, and basement parking—and this is just a small part of what the exhibition has to offer.
In addition to the discounts offered by banks on interest rates, which can start at approximately 2.79%—which are exclusively for exhibition visitors and are considered an excellent rate. These opportunities are well worth taking the time to visit the exhibition to explore the latest technologies developed by real estate companies and the newest real estate projects in the Kingdom.
Musbah Khalid: International exhibitions boost market confidence
Musbah Khalid, a real estate consultant, that the Cityscape exhibition brings together all international companies—both Saudi and foreign—where they exchange expertise. Here in the Kingdom, as part of Vision 2030—one of whose core pillars was urban development— and now we have excellent development companies specializing in residential, office, and commercial units that are beginning to proliferate, just as real estate companies are starting to grow.
Khalid noted that these international exhibitions and the expertise on display boost confidence in the Saudi market and in Saudi developers. He added that the exhibition is not only an opportunity to purchase a home for life but also a venue for negotiating deals and signing agreements worth billions of riyals between financiers and real estate developers and for commercial and residential office spaces. He emphasized that real estate is central to our lives—since we work in a building, live in a building, and conduct business in a building—it is extremely important to our lives, and these international exhibitions confirm that the Kingdom is undergoing constant and comprehensive development.
He also noted that prices in Riyadh may currently seem reasonable, especially since Riyadh is the capital and is projected to reach a population of 15 million. We are now seeing an influx of investors from outside the Kingdom, with hundreds of international companies coming to open branches and offices here; therefore, they need homes,offices, real estate, shops, and restaurants. In addition, with Expo and the World Cup on the horizon as part of Vision 2030, we are now setting a trend in the region that no one has ever set before.
Khalid noted that recent decisions have encouraged people to invest and live in Riyadh. With the imposition of fees on undeveloped land, this development has stabilized prices, ensuring we set a positive example and avoid a real estate bubble we might regret in the future. We havehighly competent leadership, our decisions are well-considered, and our country is advanced—which makes me proud to be Saudi and to witness the development and enthusiasm at the Cityscape International exhibition.
Fahad Al-Janoubi: Helps empower young people to become homeowners
Fahad Al-Janoubi, a visitor to the Cityscape International exhibition, said that the exhibition offered real estate opportunities that might suit some people in terms of price but might not suit them in terms of location; they might be forced to buy a home far from their workplace simply because the price is right for them, and these offers are mostly targeted at young people who may find it difficult to come up with the additional funds needed to purchase a home that is conveniently located near their workplace, He mentioned that the reason for his visit to the exhibition was to buy a home for his son, and he found that most of the available residential units require a down payment.
Al-Janoubi believes that attention should be paid to reducing the number of closely packed residential units, as they lack privacy and cause traffic congestion due to insufficient parking. He asked the companies participating in the expo to clearly indicate the location of the properties they are showcasing at the front of their booths toreduce crowding and save time for homebuyers, thereby categorizing visitors and saving them time. At the end of his remarks, he praised the organizers at the exhibition, noting that they were welcoming, wonderful, and understanding, and that he viewed the event as a source of national pride.
