Renovated Corniche begins new era

Signaling the beginning of an era in family entertainment, recreational and leisure chapter in Saudi Arabia, the Red Sea Corniche’s will spring into life again with an impact of overall recreational activity of Jeddah.
The renovation project continuesat different sites, which is nearing completion. Although the new date of formal opening is not yet announced, civil and landscaping jobs at sites are completed. All local and international fast food brand kiosks also undergoing renovation while the exterior of Coastal Guard command also is near completion at the entrance to northern Corniche.
The Middle East’s largest single phase multi recreational and entertainment facilities built at Corniche are considered as one of the best in the world and first of its kind in the region.
Attractively designed ceramic tiles on pedestrian facilities, besides a variety of landscaping of green ambience with iconic structures, open spaces and public toilets within distance, and internal roads and parking, are salient features of the project.
Construction of the towers of Lamar and Jawahar facing the sea not only change the character of the Corniche but Jeddah’s cityscape as well. As per city policy to accord priority to family recreational activities, children’s needs are the focus of the renovations.
Renovation and beautification of the Corniche is part of strategy of city’s overhaul development. Jeddah Development & Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC) was created by royal decree to strategic development and urbanization of the city in 2008, as an arm to Jeddah Municipality to develop city and execute renovation projects is the responsibility of JDURC.
The nearly complete Corniche project is the first of its kind in the field of recreational and leisure sector in the Kingdom, where private participation plays vital role.
PMDC, which has executed several mega projects, is a main contractor to execute 12-kilometer -long project starting from Tahliyah Street in the south, near the Desalination Plant to the intersection of North Corniche with Faisal Bin Fahd Street, near the Fatima Al Zahra Mosque. Its estimated cost is SR 153 million.
The beautification project is divided into three phases, where landscaping, pedestrian paths and parking lots with internal roads are almost complete. Though there were discussions about planting of numerous types of foliage, saplings already planted are confined certain species. Facilities to cope with storm and flood water situations are also incorporated in the project.
Apart of these phases of North Corniche, there is another addition project for beautification of the Corniche, known as Middle Corniche, and the Palestine street development project.
Considering its connectivity due to strategic ending of Palestine Street, special attention is being paid to development and upgrade of Palestine, which is now being closed at end of US consulate to conference palace.
An estimated SR 44 Million is allocated for this portion of this project where commercial activities in recreational areas will be expected to surge soon, as the whole seafront will be turned into a tourist street.
Easy connectivity from across the city and close proximity to leading commercial hubs, the Middle Corniche is attractive to visitors due to King Fahad water fountain.
Shooting 312 meters up in the air at a speed of 375 kilometers per hour, is the world’s tallest fountain. Four additional fountains will also be installed at Northern Corniche to complement the main fountain, though size and details are not known.