Coral Bloom
The Red Sea Development Company’s new project will protect Shurayrah Island.
THE CORAL BLOOM CONCEPT, a collaboration between The Red Sea Development Company and architectural firm Foster + Partners, was launched this month by Saudi Arabia’s His
Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and chairman of The Red Sea Development Company, having received his approval for development.the concept will seamlessly blend in, and protect and enhance the natural environment of Shurayrah Island.
Overall, The Red Sea Project is a luxury, regenerative tourism destination that will set new standards in sustainable development over 28,000 square kilometers of pristine land along Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The development includes an archipelago of more than 90 islands, with mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes and cultural and heritage sites. When completed in 2030, the destination will include 50 resorts, more than 1,000 residences, and leisure and entertainment amenities including marinas, championship golf courses and more. Work is on track to welcome the first guests by the end of 2022, with the international airport and first hotels open.
Known as the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, TRSDC unveiled a striking image for the island, with John Pagano, CEO, saying, “We expect guests to be awed by what they see when they first arrive at The Red Sea Project, enjoying a truly immersive barefoot luxury experience. The Coral Bloom designs, taking
inspiration from the incredible flora and fauna found uniquely in Saudi Arabia, promise to make that vision a reality.”
Pagano continued, “Shurayrah Island is the gateway to The Red Sea Project so it’s important that it sets the standard in groundbreaking architecture and sustainable design, not just for our destination, but globally too. This is achieved by going beyond simply protecting the environment, to applying a regenerative approach.”
Additionally, the hotel designs responded to the changing world over the last year. For example, internal corridors have been removed as demand grows for space and seclusion in light of the current pandemic. The resorts will be created with lightweight materials with a low thermal mass, manufactured elsewhere to make construction more energy-efficient and with less of an environmental impact.
Biodiversity is front and center for all The
Red Sea Project’s plans, which are designed to avoid disruption of the island’s mangroves and other habitats. They also allow for natural erosion defense and create new habitats through landscaping. The Coral Bloom concept outlines details for the 11 hotels of Shurayah Island, offering more space immersed in the natural landscape, allowing the beauty of the island to shine through first and foremost. New beaches will be created, as well as a new lagoon. Together, the enhancement will raise the land level as a layer of protection against rising sea levels.
Distinguished hotel brands will operate the 11 hotels on the island. With respect to the natural environment, no high-rise buildings will be allowed, ensuring spectacular views, and the buildings, using low-impact materials, will be perfectly incorporated. The vision for Shurayrah comes from the natural state of the island — think hotels appearing to have washed up on shore nestled among the dunes, with every new addition enhancing what already exists.
The environment is a primary focus from beginning to end, with TRSDC committed to a 30 percent net conservation benefit by 2040. The world’s largest district cooling plant, powered by renewable energy 24 hours a day, will facilitate efficient centralized cooling across Coral Bloom, and the entire destination will be powered by renewables, including the largest battery storage system in the world. Shurayrah is one of 22 islands selected for development, and master planning leaves 75 percent of the project’s islands untouched.
The future is bright, and a new standard for tourism is being developed in Saudi Arabia. Learn more at theredsea.sa.