On September 29, 2025, the London-listed luxury real estate developer Dar Global announced its most ambitious project yet in Saudi Arabia: Trump Plaza Jeddah, a $1 billion mixed-use development set to transform the city’s skyline and redefine urban living in the Kingdom. This marks the second collaboration between Dar Global and The Trump Organization in Jeddah, following the launch of Trump Tower Jeddah in December 2024, and underscores the growing international footprint of both companies.
Strategically situated along King Abdulaziz Road in the heart of Jeddah, Trump Plaza Jeddah aims to bring a slice of Manhattan to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. At the heart of the development will be a Central Park-inspired green spine—a landscaped park running the length of the project, anchoring the residences and serviced apartments. According to Dar Global, this green spine is designed to “bring Manhattan-style vibrancy” to Jeddah, seamlessly integrating urban greenery with the city’s evolving landscape.
The project’s masterplan is nothing if not ambitious. It will comprise premium residences, serviced apartments, Grade-A office space, and exclusive townhouses, all woven together to create a world-class community. The development also promises thoughtfully designed home offices as extensions of private residences, a premium retail courtyard, and a curated mix of food and beverage concepts. In the words of Ziad El Chaar, CEO of Dar Global, “Trump Plaza Jeddah is a pioneering concept in Saudi Arabia and one of the most ambitious developments Dar Global has undertaken to date. By combining residential, serviced, and office components with a Central Park-inspired landscape, we are delivering a unique lifestyle destination that reflects both Manhattan’s vibrancy and Jeddah’s strategic role as a cultural and commercial hub.”
Eric Trump, Executive Vice President of The Trump Organization, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are honored to expand our footprint in Saudi Arabia with the Trump Plaza Jeddah. This project embodies our vision of excellence by blending world-class hospitality, modern living, and dynamic business environments. Together with Dar Global, we are creating a destination that will set a new benchmark for prestige and innovation in the Kingdom.”
The announcement comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its real estate and tourism sectors, seeking to diversify its economy away from oil and position itself as a regional hub for business and luxury living. Dar Global, the international arm of Saudi developer Dar Al Arkan, is a major player in this transformation. With $7.5 billion worth of projects under development across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Saudi Arabia, the company is no stranger to large-scale, high-profile developments.
For The Trump Organization, the Jeddah projects represent a continuation of its strategy to license the Trump brand to luxury developments around the globe. Before Donald Trump entered the White House in 2017, his company had secured real estate licensing deals for hotels and residential towers in countries including Canada, Dubai, Mexico, India, and Turkey. The Trump brand, synonymous with luxury and opulence, has been leveraged to attract international investors and affluent residents alike.
Yet, the Trump family’s business dealings in Saudi Arabia have not been without controversy. Trump’s close ties to Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and day-to-day ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, drew sharp criticism in the wake of the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist who had written critically about the monarchy. According to the Associated Press, the relationship between Trump and the Saudi leadership has been scrutinized by political opponents and human rights advocates, especially after Trump’s first major foreign trip of his second term was to Saudi Arabia.
Despite the criticism, the business relationship between The Trump Organization and Saudi partners has only deepened. The launch of Trump Tower Jeddah in December 2024 marked the first Trump-branded development in the Kingdom. Now, with Trump Plaza Jeddah, both Dar Global and The Trump Organization are doubling down on their bet that Saudi Arabia’s appetite for luxury real estate and integrated urban communities will continue to grow.
The scale and scope of Trump Plaza Jeddah are designed to appeal to a new generation of international investors and high-net-worth individuals. The inclusion of a Central Park-inspired green spine is a nod to Manhattan’s iconic urban park, aiming to offer residents and visitors a taste of cosmopolitan living in the heart of Jeddah. The development’s emphasis on integrating living, working, and leisure reflects broader trends in global urban design, where mixed-use communities are increasingly seen as the future of city living.
Dar Global’s vision for Trump Plaza Jeddah goes beyond mere architecture. The company describes the project as a “unique lifestyle destination,” where residents can live, work, and play without ever needing to leave the community. Home offices, premium retail, and curated dining experiences are all part of the package, designed to cater to the demands of modern, mobile professionals and families seeking convenience and exclusivity.
For Jeddah, the project is poised to elevate its role as a cultural and commercial hub, attracting international investment and setting new standards for luxury living in the Kingdom. As Ziad El Chaar put it, “Trump Plaza Jeddah will become a defining destination for the Kingdom’s evolving real estate landscape, further elevating Jeddah’s role as a center for premium living and international investment.”
The timing of the announcement is notable as well. With Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan in full swing, the Kingdom is opening its doors to foreign investment and tourism, encouraging international partnerships to help realize its ambitious goals. Developments like Trump Plaza Jeddah are seen as key to attracting the global elite and positioning Saudi cities among the world’s leading urban centers.
Of course, the project’s success will depend not only on its design and amenities but also on the broader geopolitical and economic climate. As the Trump brand continues to generate both admiration and controversy, and as Saudi Arabia navigates its own path between tradition and modernization, all eyes will be on Jeddah to see if this grand vision can be realized.
For now, Dar Global and The Trump Organization are betting big on Jeddah’s future, confident that their collaboration will set a new benchmark for prestige, innovation, and integrated urban living in Saudi Arabia. As the city prepares for a dramatic transformation, Trump Plaza Jeddah stands as a symbol of both ambition and the complex interplay of business, politics, and culture in the 21st century Middle East.
