It has been home to kings and has hosted presidents, shahs, and princes. And now, thanks to the revitalization efforts of Saudi hospitality company Boutique Group, Riyadh’s Red Palace hopes to one day also host you as a guest following its transformation into an ultra-luxury hotel.
Originally built in 1943 just north of Al Fouta Park in the Saudi capital, the Red Palace was the newly unified kingdom’s first reinforced concrete structure and was purpose-built to be the home of then-Crown Prince Saud as a gift from his father and Saudi Arabia’s founder, King Abdulaziz. By the time it was completed, the new royal residence also incorporated a network of ceiling fans and modern air conditioning throughout its myriad rooms, an unheard-of luxury across the region in that day.
Drawing its name from the characteristic reddish hue of its exterior, the palace’s design subtly blends the art deco style that was popular in the mid-20th century when it was conceived with traditional architectural elements that are native to the Nadj region at the heart of the Arabian peninsula. In addition to serving as a royal residence, the Red Palace later became the seat of the kingdom’s Council of Ministers and the Court of Grievances.
When the newly reconstituted Red Palace Boutique Hotel opens in 2025, it will feature 25 luxury guest rooms, 26 deluxe rooms, 44 luxury suites, eight spa suites, and one royal suite, all with private butler service. It will also offer seven large public event spaces in addition to multiple cafes and restaurants on site.
Hong Kong-based architectural design firm Aedas was hired to spearhead the property’s transformation, with its global design principal Ignacio Gomez leading the project. Gomez is also involved in several other high-profile projects in Saudi Arabia, including the Trojana ski resort and the private golf community Gidori, both in Neom. On this project, Gomez will also collaborate with French interior design legend Tristan Auer.
Launched in 2022, Boutique Group is fully owned by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund. The hospitality company is simultaneously converting two other historic Saudi royal palaces into luxury hotels – the similarly named Al Hamza Palace in Jeddah and Riyadh’s Tuwaiq Palace.
Commenting on the company’s role in Saudi Arabia’s broader transformation, Boutique Group CEO Mark De Cocinis noted, “Saudi Arabia is on a journey of unprecedented diversification of its economy under Vision 2030, and we are committed to supporting the transformation of the Kingdom’s tourism and cultural sectors.”
