Dar Global unveils Trump luxury projects

Saudi-based developer Dar Global has confirmed plans to launch two Trump-branded luxury developments in Riyadh and Jeddah with a combined value of about $10 billion, marking one of the most ambitious foreign-branded property ventures tied to the kingdom’s urban transformation drive. Chief executive Ziad El Chaar said the projects will anchor premium hospitality, residential and leisure offerings in locations central to Saudi Arabia’s development strategy.

The Riyadh scheme will include the Trump National Golf Course and Trump International Hotel within Diriyah, a vast mixed-use development on the western edge of the capital that has been positioned as a cultural and lifestyle destination. Diriyah’s masterplan is overseen by the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and is intended to combine heritage sites with luxury hospitality, retail and residential components, drawing high-spending visitors and global brands.

A second development, Trump Plaza, is planned for Jeddah and will comprise mixed-use offices and residential property, according to El Chaar. The Jeddah project is expected to target both local demand and international buyers seeking exposure to the city’s commercial and tourism revival along the Red Sea coast.

The ventures extend Dar Global’s strategy of partnering with internationally recognised brands to position its developments at the upper end of the market. The company, which focuses on luxury real estate and hospitality, has previously collaborated with global hotel operators and designers to attract overseas investors and diversify demand beyond domestic buyers.

For the Trump Organisation, the Saudi projects represent a significant expansion of its international licensing footprint. The developments will operate under branding and management agreements rather than direct ownership by the Trump family, a structure commonly used by the group in overseas markets. Donald Trump is not expected to have an operational role in the projects, which will be delivered and financed by Dar Global and its partners.

Saudi Arabia’s property market has drawn increasing attention from international developers as the kingdom accelerates investment under its Vision 2030 programme. Large-scale projects in Riyadh, Jeddah, the Red Sea coast and emerging destinations such as NEOM have been supported by state-backed funding, regulatory reforms and infrastructure spending designed to boost tourism, attract expatriate residents and stimulate private-sector growth.

Riyadh, in particular, has been prioritised as a regional business hub, with authorities seeking to more than double the city’s population by the end of the decade. High-end residential supply has struggled to keep pace with demand from executives, diplomats and professionals relocating under government incentives, creating opportunities for branded developments that promise international standards and services.

Jeddah’s appeal rests on its role as a commercial gateway and cultural centre, as well as its proximity to pilgrimage routes. Urban renewal schemes along the waterfront and in the historic Al-Balad district have sought to revitalise the city while preserving its heritage, supporting demand for mixed-use projects that combine offices, homes and leisure facilities.

El Chaar said the Trump-branded projects would be aligned with Saudi regulations and sustainability requirements, reflecting broader shifts in the property sector towards energy efficiency and integrated community design. Developers operating in the kingdom have increasingly been required to meet environmental standards and contribute to local employment and supply chains.

Market analysts note that luxury real estate in Saudi Arabia carries both opportunities and risks. Strong state backing and rising tourism flows underpin demand, but developers face challenges including construction cost inflation, skills shortages and the need to phase projects carefully to avoid oversupply. Branded residences and hotels, however, have tended to outperform unbranded peers in attracting international buyers, particularly in emerging markets.