Diriyah Awards $490M Contract for SAMoCA Museum Project

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is establishing a flagship national institution for contemporary art, with the Public Investment Fund-owned Diriyah Co. awarding a SR1.84 billion ($490 million) construction contract in the historic Diriyah district.  

The contract, announced during a signing ceremony in Riyadh, was awarded to a joint venture between Hassan Allam Construction Saudi Arabia and Al-Bawani Co. Ltd., marking the start of construction on the museum. 

The museum, known as the Saudi Arabia Museum of Contemporary Art, or SAMoCA, will be built on Diriyah’s Grand Avenue and span more than 77,000 sq. meters, including 45,252 sq. meters of built-up area. It is designed to serve as a national platform for modern and contemporary Saudi art. 

Diriyah Co. said the development aims to strengthen the Kingdom’s cultural infrastructure while supporting the growth of its creative economy. 

The Kingdom is positioning the cultural sector as a measurable economic contributor, with the Ministry of Culture working to expand its share of non-oil gross domestic product through investment in museums, heritage sites, and creative industries. 

The official announcement of the project was made during a signing ceremony attended by Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of Diriyah Co. Group, alongside Hassan Allam, CEO of Hassan Allam Holding, and Fakher Al-Shawaf, group CEO of Al-Bawani Holding Co. 

On this occasion, Allam said: “This project represents an important milestone in the group’s journey within Saudi Arabia and reaffirms our commitment to delivering world-class cultural projects that respect historical heritage and meet national future ambitions.” 

Al-Shawaf said that SAMoCA demonstrates the company’s commitment to developing national landmarks that highlight the Kingdom’s identity and cultural stature globally.  

In a post on its X account, the real estate and development company said the flagship project aims to document, research, exhibit and promote Saudi modern and contemporary art practices. 

It added that the building has been designed by Godwin Austen Johnson, noting that the project has achieved Mostadam Gold certification at both the design and construction stages. 

The Museums Commission, operating under the Ministry of Culture, will oversee the development of the museum’s narrative and visitor experience, manage its collections, and supervise the design and delivery of exhibition spaces. 

“SAMoCA will serve as the national home for Saudi modern and contemporary art, deepening understanding of the Kingdom’s creative identity while fostering cultural dialogue,” the commission said. 

It added that the museum will support Saudi artists across generations, from pioneers to emerging voices, and will serve as a platform for dialogue by connecting Saudi creativity with diverse cultural perspectives and exchange. 

It also noted that the venue will function as a premier center for artistic exploration, set within the historic context of Diriyah.