Host to millions of Muslim pilgrims each year, the holy city of Mecca is a lucrative location for hoteliers. Architecture conglomerate Dar Al-Handasah aims to capitalize on this by building the world's largest hotel in the city. Dubbed Abraj Kudai, it's reportedly due to open its doors in 2017.
Finer details on the project are slim on the ground, but we do know that the Abraj Kudai hotel will be located in the Manafia area in Mecca, and will feature 12 towers and four helipads. The total usable floorspace will measure around 1.4 million sq m (roughly 15 million sq ft), which isn't too far off the New Century Global Center in China.
The five-star hotel will include large commercial and retail areas, a shopping mall, and a bus station. The site is accessible by several major roads, and parking will be above-ground due to the water table level.
In addition, The Guardian reports that it will boast some 10,000 bedrooms, 70 restaurants and 45 stories, and that an entire five floors will be given over to the exclusive use of the Saudi royal family.
The Guardian also reports that the project will cost a projected £2.3 billion (around US$3.5 billion), and that the project will be completed in 2017.
Sources: Dar Al-Handasah, The Guardian
