SAUDI ARABIA: Red Sea Global has achieved the highest ever score for Platinum LEED v4.1 Cities: Plan and Design accreditation for The Red Sea destination.
The developer scored 96 out of a possible 110 points for the destination’s phase one masterplan, which includes the construction of 16 hotels, as well as marinas, leisure and lifestyle amenities, and the recently opened Red Sea International Airport.
Founded with the support of the US Green Building Council, LEED is a world-recognised green building rating system, with accreditation also available for wider city and community projects.
With The Red Sea destination still in the early stages of development, accreditation has been achieved for Plan and Design, rather than for Existing (which can be applied for once the development is 75 per cent built out).
Six Senses Southern Dunes recently became the first resort to open in the destination. It is the first hotel in Saudi Arabia to achieve LEED Platinum status, with all of its electricity powered by its own solar farm.
The St Regis Red Sea Resort is set to follow next month, while Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is scheduled to open in early 2024.
The 28,000 sqm megaproject is scheduled to be completed in 2030, when it will offer a total of 50 resorts and 8,000 hotel rooms, as well as 1,000 residential properties across 22 islands and six inland sites.
Earlier this year Red Sea Global (RSG) – which is also developing the Amaala and Thuwal destinations on the west coast of Saudi Arabia – was awarded Outstanding Developer of the Year by the US Green Building Council at the LEED Home Awards 2023.
Commenting on the news Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the US Green Building Council, said: “We believe that RSG will continue to set new standards in responsible development and inspire others to pursue sustainable practices.
“Congratulations to Red Sea Global on this record-breaking LEED certification for The Red Sea destination.”
To read more about LEED certification, its different levels and the benefits of becoming LEED certified, see our recent FOCUS ON feature.
Image supplied by Red Sea Global.