Future-ready regional headquarters at KAFD positions JLL to better serve clients with leading service offerings
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; 30 October 2024: JLL, a leading professional services firm specialising in real estate, investment management, and development consultancy, has officially opened its new regional headquarters in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD). This strategic move, which was unveiled at the Future Investment Initiative (FII) last year reflects the firm’s growth ambitions in Saudi Arabia, solidifying its position as the market leader in the region.
KAFD’s world-class office spaces and thriving business ecosystem reinforce JLL’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the evolving work landscape and prioritising employee well-being and productivity. The new office boasts an expanded café concept with diverse seating choices for collaboration and individual workspaces, quiet decompression zones, and dedicated breakout areas for focused work.
As one of the first real estate consultancies to enter the Saudi market over a decade ago, JLL celebrates a significant milestone with its relocation to its new KAFD headquarters and marks a new era of growth for the firm. With existing offices in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, the new location equips JLL to capitalise on the unprecedented opportunities arising from the Kingdom’s ongoing transformation, further contributing to the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.
James Allan, CEO of JLL Middle East and Africa (MEA), said: “Our relocation to KAFD reaffirms our commitment to growth and innovation as we embrace and adapt to the workplace of the future and drive excellence across our operations in the region. The state-of-the-art infrastructure and dynamic environment at KAFD will support and strengthen our expansion strategy and enable JLL to leverage the unparalleled opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s dynamic real estate landscape.”
Located in the heart of the Saudi capital, Riyadh, KAFD is a transformative mixed-use development that merges the world of business and lifestyle and sets new benchmarks in urban living, smart city technologies, and sustainable development, designed to transform how urban communities live, work, and play. Spanning 1.6 million square meters, the Kingdom’s first vertical city is home to 95 buildings across five asset classes, featuring Grade A office spaces, upscale residences, diverse commercial and retail areas, luxury hospitality, and vibrant entertainment venues, all interconnected and walkable within 10-minutes.
Saud Al Sulaimani, Country Head of KSA JLL, added: “Our new Regional Headquarters at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) represents a key component of our commitment to fostering a dynamic, people-centric workplace. At JLL, we’re committed to developing Saudi talent and our investment in a progressive, sustainable work environment ensures that we continue to attract and nurture the best talent, while remaining agile in adapting to the evolving needs of our clients. As part of this commitment, we are embracing flexible and hybrid work models to support our employees’ well-being and productivity.”
Sultan Abdulaziz Alobaida, Chief Commercial Officer of KAFD DMC, said: “With Saudi Arabia embracing its regional and global role, it has firmly established itself as the leading destination for international business, particularly under the flagship of the regional headquarters (RHQ) program. At KAFD, Riyadh’s premier business and lifestyle destination, we are thrilled to be a part of this and bring that role to life. We are excited to welcome JLL
to our business community and look forward to the collaborative opportunities ahead, as we continue to shape a thriving business ecosystem for innovation, investment, and sustainable growth.”
In recognition of its first-class digital infrastructure that delivers robust connectivity, sustainability, and a seamless live, work, and play experience, KAFD is the first neighborhood in the Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) to achieve WiredScore’s Global Smart Neighborhood Certification. A green district, KAFD is the world’s largest LEED platinum-certified business and lifestyle destination with over 40 Silver and Gold LEED-certified buildings amongst its expansive portfolio, including the first LEED Platinum v4-certified Fire Station in the world.
With over 530 employees in Saudi Arabia, JLL remains committed to investing in local talent and supporting major real estate developments and Giga projects, including the King Abdullah Financial District, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Non-Profit City, and projects by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority.
