From the “Twin” of The Sphere to the Kingdom Center: All the Wonders of the Arabian Peninsula

The radiant beams emanating from the MSG Las Vegas Sphere, the futuristic globe inaugurated in September 2023, stretch across the heavens to Abu Dhabi.

It is here that James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman and CEO of The Sphere Entertainment, and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, announced their plans to build a sister to “The Sphere.” The second Sphere in the world, a twin to the one constructed in the global gambling capital, will replicate the original’s impressive dimensions and cutting-edge technology.

The structure, described by CEO James L. Dolan as a creation that “redefines live entertainment,” stands 110 meters tall and 157 meters wide. With a total area of ​​54,000 m2, it is the largest spherical structure in the world.

According to the project developers, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism will fund the construction, while the Sphere Entertainment team will bring the same technological innovations developed for Las Vegas.

This ambitious endeavor is the latest in a series of grand infrastructural dreams spearheaded by the nations of the Arabian Peninsula, transforming the region into an ideal testing ground for groundbreaking advancements across fields like construction, culture, transportation, sports, and entertainment.

From Saudi Arabia to Dubai, the Arabian Peninsula – spectacular for the uniqueness of its urban architecture – has raced to conquer the skies. Here, the pinnacle of achievements remains in the Emirate, where the Burj Khalifa retains its title as the world’s tallest skyscraper at 829.8 meters.

The building, a vision of Dubai’s Emir and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was designed and executed by the Chicago-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Step by step, the Burj Khalifa shattered records: in 2007, it surpassed the Willis Tower to become the building with the most floors worldwide; in 2008, it dethroned Taipei 101 as the tallest skyscraper, until its completion on July 22, 2009.

Dubai is also home to the four tallest skyscrapers in the UAE. Yet, the entire Arabian Peninsula stands out for its unique and striking urban architecture. A world-renowned example is the Kingdom Center in Riyadh (300 meters high, with the iconic crescent moon at the top), a skyscraper with a horseshoe-shaped apex that symbolizes the economic growth of Saudi Arabia’s capital.

The 30-story tower was constructed by Webuild Group and received the prestigious Emporis Skyscraper Award in 2002 for its exceptional design.

No sports enthusiast can forget the electrifying final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Argentina triumphed over France in a thrilling penalty shootout.

The venue for this unforgettable match was the Lusail Stadium, one of the several state-of-the-art venues built by Qatar for the tournament. These stadiums are defined by architectural and technological innovations, such as air conditioning systems essential for Qatar’s scorching climate.

From the Lusail to the 974 Stadium, constructed using 974 movable shipping containers, and the Al-Bayt Stadium (40 kilometers from Doha), resembling a massive Qatari tent, these facilities exemplify modern, sustainable design. The latter, built by Webuild Group, has earned the GSAS 4Stars rating, the highest recognition from the Gulf Organization for Research & Development (GORD). FIFA President Gianni Infantino described it as “a home where everyone feels united, and every person feels closer to others.”

Cultural temples accompany these sporting wonders, with museums like the Louvre Abu Dhabi serving as art pieces in their own right. Opened on November 8, 2017, the Louvre in Abu Dhabi emerged from a 30-year agreement between the Emirate and the French government. Its construction is part of a $27 billion plan to develop a cultural hub, which includes the Zayed National Museum by Foster and Partners and Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim, potentially the world’s most renowned contemporary art museum.

The grandeur of urban masterpieces and architectural icons is matched by the drive to provide world-class infrastructure for citizens and visitors. This vision is reflected in sustainable mobility systems that fuel city growth and enhance quality of life.

Take the Riyadh Metro, a sprawling 176-kilometer network, or the Doha Metro, with three lines designed to serve both central and suburban areas. The latter’s Red Line North, a 13-kilometer segment with seven stations, was constructed by Webuild Group. The Doha Metro has already yielded substantial benefits; in 2023 alone, it facilitated 51.4 million trips, reducing carbon emissions by 45,900 tons and significantly curtailing car usage.