Stephen Cheesebrough, executive director – development at Red Sea Global, speaks to Gulf Business
Red Sea Global (RSG) returned to Cityscape Global 2025 with a sharpened focus on one of the Kingdom’s most strategically anticipated asset classes: ultra-luxury residential real estate. With several hotels now operational and more preparing to open, the company is entering a new phase—one defined by high-impact hospitality, exclusive residential offerings and regenerative development at unprecedented scale.
Speaking to Gulf Business, Stephen Cheesebrough, executive director – development at Red Sea Global, underscored how the market for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals is fundamentally shifting toward experiential destinations that combine privacy, natural beauty and sustainability—all strengths in which the Red Sea excels.
“The sales strategy for ultra-high net worth individuals for us is very much about getting people to visit the destination. It is truly so spectacular. There are very few places in the world today where you can buy property in such a pristine location, but also where there is such a commitment with regards to enhancing and protecting, not just protecting, but enhancing it,” he said.
Laheq Island: billions in investment and a multi-phase delivery plan
A major highlight at this year’s Cityscape was RSG’s recently announced Laheq Island—one of the most exclusive residential destinations within the wider Red Sea portfolio. Laheq is envisioned as a secluded enclave with its own signature lifestyle proposition.
Cheesebrough confirmed the scale: “It’s in the billions. It’s a large-scale project. It’s across 400 hectares.”
The residential rollout will happen in two phases, with Phase 1 scheduled for delivery in 2028 and Phase 2 extending into 2029. The ambition is not simply to create high-value homes, but to cultivate a community of owners deeply connected to the natural surroundings and the destination’s programming. “I’ve never been involved in a residential project that has this level of programming,” he added.
A pioneering model of regenerative tourism
Sustainability is not an add-on at Red Sea Global; it is the organising principle. The company’s commitment to achieving a 30 per cent net conservation benefit has positioned the destination as a global benchmark for regenerative tourism. Cheesebrough emphasised that the conservation targets are closely monitored across multiple ecological indicators.
“Last year, we planted over 2 million mangroves… we are constantly measured against that, whether it be mangroves, corals, avian species, turtles, marine life.”
Beyond environmental metrics, RSG has engineered its entire construction approach around minimising disruption. Extensive off-site construction reduces on-ground activity, protecting sensitive ecosystems while helping accelerate delivery timelines.
Engineering the impossible: the 800-metre ring structure
One of the most visually arresting components of the Laheq development is its architectural centrepiece: an 800-metre-diameter ring structure, designed in collaboration with Foster + Partners.
Cheesebrough noted that the engineering complexity lies in its interaction with the lagoon. “We have a large span that is suspended above the water. And that structurally was the most complex part.”
The hanging gardens—known as Forever Gardens—add another layer of sophistication, requiring sustainable irrigation systems, careful grey-water integration and a lightweight structural design. “Architecturally, the ring is very much a signature for the project… it gives guests an opportunity to really have a connection not just with nature, but also with the water,” he said.
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Cityscape 2025: investor interest surges
Cityscape Global 2025 has become one of the most powerful platforms for real estate investment dialogue across the region, and Red Sea Global is drawing significant attention from international buyers, project partners and institutional investors.
“We’ve been here half a day and the amount of interest that’s coming in is huge… each year, particularly in Saudi Arabia, it’s just getting bigger and better,” Cheesebrough noted. The volume of inquiries and investor engagements is expected to stay strong throughout the four-day event.
RSG also plans to announce several new developments in the coming months, adding further depth to its portfolio and expanding the scope of activity across the destination. “There’s always, with Red Sea Global, exciting announcements, not just limited to the four days here, but ongoing because of the extent of projects that we’re developing.”
