AECOM and its partner Jacobs have been awarded the design, infrastructure, and engineering contract for the 247‑acre New Murabba Development Company project in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The joint venture will lead the design of The Mukaab, a mixed‑use complex that will anchor the city’s new downtown and serve as a centerpiece of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic‑diversification plan.
The Mukaab is envisioned as a 400‑meter‑high, 400‑meter‑wide, and 400‑meter‑deep structure that blends traditional Najdi architectural motifs with cutting‑edge digital and sustainable technologies. The first phase, which includes the iconic tower, is slated for completion by 2030, with the overall New Murabba project expected to finish by 2040. The design contract will cover the tower’s structural systems, façade, mechanical and electrical services, and the surrounding urban fabric, including residential, hospitality, retail, and cultural spaces.
Financially, the award comes at a time when AECOM’s fiscal‑2024 revenue reached $16.1 billion, and the company is guiding for record net service revenue in fiscal 2025. Jacobs, meanwhile, reported a Q3 2025 adjusted EPS of $1.62, beating estimates and underscoring its strong backlog. While the exact value of the Mukaab design contract has not been disclosed, industry analysts expect it to be in the multi‑million‑dollar range, reflecting the scale and complexity of the project.
Strategically, the contract reinforces AECOM’s presence in the Middle East, a key growth market for infrastructure and urban development. The joint‑venture model demonstrates the firms’ ability to tackle mega‑projects and positions them for future opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf region. The partnership also signals a deepening of Jacobs’ footprint in the Kingdom, where it has already contributed to high‑profile initiatives such as NEOM’s The Line and King Salman International Airport.
Management leaders highlighted the significance of the award. AECOM President Lara Poloni said the Mukaab “is a powerful example of what is possible when visionary ambition meets world‑class technical expertise.” Regional CEO Hamed Zaghw added that the win “reaffirms our commitment to supporting Vision 2030 through transformational projects that create long‑lasting impact.” Jacobs CEO Bob Pragada described the project as an “extraordinary opportunity to redefine the urban experience at the heart of Riyadh,” while Senior Vice President Zaher Abu Hijleh emphasized the blend of cultural identity, advanced technology, and sustainability that the design will embody.
The announcement underscores the growing importance of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the role of international engineering firms in delivering its flagship projects. It also highlights the collaborative approach required to realize such ambitious urban developments, positioning both AECOM and Jacobs as leaders in the region’s infrastructure landscape.
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