Eng. Mohammad Alothman, CEO of Kaden, speaks to Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector is undergoing one of the most accelerated transformations in its history, driven by the ambitions of Vision 2030. For developers, this shift is creating both unprecedented opportunities and heightened expectations. Few understand this evolving landscape better than Eng. Mohammad Alothman, CEO of Kaden, who says the sector’s current trajectory is inseparable from the country’s wider economic overhaul.
Where do you see the real estate development market in Saudi Arabia today, particularly in light of Vision 2030?
“Without a doubt, any major economic transformation across sectors has to be accompanied by a significant rise in the real estate and development sector. This is exactly what we’ve seen since the launch of Vision 2030. Over the past three to four years, we’ve witnessed a strong real estate boom, and we believe this momentum will continue across all asset classes—whether in tourism, commercial, or industrial.
“Each of these sectors, and each asset type within them, requires its own tailored real estate development approach.”
What is Kaden’s role in creating integrated destinations, and what is the development philosophy behind them?
“Kaden’s experience, especially in the context of Vision 2030, is built on a clear principle: any developer must align with the new standards and expectations that come with a real estate renaissance. That’s what we’ve worked on in recent years; delivering differentiated products rather than more of the same.
“The real estate boom has brought many major developers into the market, which naturally raises the bar and creates a need for more diverse offerings.”
Alothman explains that Kaden has focused its recent efforts on two major product lines:
1. Mixed-use destinations
“Our first product line is City Within City or The Front—a fully mixed-use concept that integrates residential, commercial and office, hospitality, retail, and multi-purpose sectors. Under this mixed-use umbrella, we launched two flagship experiences: Riyadh Front, which has now been rebranded as Roshn Front; and Jeddah Front, currently under construction on a one-million-square-metre site, incorporating all of these uses.”
2. Logistics ecosystems
“The second line we’ve been developing is tied to product diversification: the logistics sector. We launched a concept called Logistic Park—a fully fledged logistics community that includes warehouses, warehouse support services, labour accommodation, and light industrial facilities.”
You are the developer of Riyadh Marché, formerly Euro Marché, one of Riyadh’s oldest shopping centres. How will you redevelop it while preserving its historical legacy?
“Euro Marché, in its time, was one of the most iconic landmarks in Riyadh—a true destination for the city’s residents of that time. The project originally started around 1980 and enjoyed a very special period.
“When we looked at redeveloping it, our goal was to respect that legacy by offering a new product without erasing its identity. This aligns with what is commonly known in the market as adaptive reuse: preserving the identity and symbolism of a project while changing its private uses.”
Alothman says the redevelopment is guided by three principles:
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Retaining the essence of the original name.
“Previously Euro Marché—Euro for Europe—we changed the name to Riya Marché, with ‘Riya’ derived from Riyadh, so that it reflects the city and aligns with the broader development wave currently reshaping it.” -
Preserving the external character.
“We will maintain the external character of the project—particularly the outer fence and façade—while completely reworking the interior uses and layout.” -
Honouring the spirit of the original destination.
“So when visitors come to Riya Marché after completion, they will feel the soul and memory of the original Euro Marché, but expressed through a contemporary design language that fits seamlessly into Riyadh’s current real estate renaissance.”
Note: The above interview was translated from Arabic to English
