The United States has officially broken ground on its new embassy project in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh, a sprawling new building blending traditional and modern architecture on a 27.5 acre site.
When completed, it will be the largest embassy in Riyadh.
U.S. and Saudi officials participated in a ceremony to break ground on the new compound this week, marking a milestone in the longstanding U.S.-Saudi bilateral relationship.
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arabian Peninsula Affairs Daniel Benaim and Saudi Deputy Foreign Minister, His Excellency Mr. Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, joined U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney for the event.
Ambassador Ratney, who was confirmed on March 15, addressed attendees of the ceremony, stated, “The new embassy, set to be the largest embassy compound in Saudi Arabia, is emblematic of the expanding U.S.-Saudi relationship. Today that relationship encompasses not only energy and security but also business, technology, education, innovation, and increasingly areas like art and culture.”
Ratney underscored that the scale and ambition of this project reflect the strong and growing U.S.-Saudi strategic partnership, the U.S. said in a press release.
The new building blends Saudi Arabia’s traditional architectural heritage with modern design, emphasizing the latest security and sustainability features. The state-of-the-art facility will provide “a modern, secure, and efficient workplace for embassy staff, and serve as a powerful symbol of the United States’ enduring partnership with Saudi Arabia,” the Embassy said.
