The building’s dramatic design, by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will, received the MIPIM Architectural Review ‘Future Project Award’ for ‘Best Tall Building' / Shangri-La

The Shangri-La group will launch its first hotel in Saudi Arabia in early 2018, the Shangri-La Jeddah.

The 65-storey building’s dramatic design, by global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will, received the MIPIM Architectural Review ‘Future Project Award’ for ‘Best Tall Building’ in 2009.

Situated perpendicular to the shoreline to maximise water views and optimise solar exposure, its exterior ‘skin’ features synthetic fabric architectural sails that shade interior spaces, protect balconies from wind, maintain privacy, and house LED lights that create a distinctive pattern over the surface of the building.

The hotel will have 236 bedrooms and 122 branded and serviced residences, ranging from two-bedrooms to the top floor penthouse.

It will also include four restaurants, 2,118sq m (22,799sq ft) of function areas, a swimming pool, children’s club, fitness areas and a luxury spa.

The hotel is being developed in partnership with Assila Investments – a diversified holding company with multi-billion dollar interests across many sectors, including banking, food, hospitality and real estate, owned by Mohammed Ibrahim Alissa and his family.

“By partnering with such a respected investor as Assila, who clearly supports our growth strategy, we are taking a significant step in strengthening our brand in the Middle East region,” said Shangri-La president and CEO Greg Dogan.

“Jeddah is an important commercial hub, being both a Saudi Arabian port city and the country’s second-largest city.”