The Art Park is a green finger reaching into the city, with a lake, a circular path and shade canopies inspired by tree crowns, designed by Gerber Architekten. ArchDaily expects initial phases in late 2026 and substantial completion in 2027. It is not open, and no opening date or first-area announcement has been published.
Key facts
| Expected opening |
Initial phases late 2026; substantial completion 2027
MEEDSep 2026ArchDailyFeb 2026
ArchDaily, Feb 2026; not reconfirmed after the Sept 2026 MEED reports, and no date announced · as of Feb 2026
Low confidence
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Art in a landscape
The Art Park is the part of King Salman Park most likely to meet visitors first, though no source has confirmed that. Gerber Architekten lists it as a public art park with a circular path around the Art Park Lake and shade canopies inspired by tree crowns. RIBAJ calls it a green finger stretching into the city and describes its gateway pavilion: a circular canopy of curved glulam timber over a 3D-printed concrete cabin with a woven palm relief.
Progress
The Foundation's 2025 brochure lists "Art Park and lake" among construction milestones, with a render beside a progress photograph. MEED reported in May 2024 that soil placement was progressing. ArchDaily wrote in February 2026 that initial phases were expected in late 2026 and substantial completion in 2027.
The opening question
In late September 2026 acting CEO Dale Chadwick told MEED that some landscape could open "tomorrow" but that the Foundation could not open 12 km² without a process. The opening plan was due before the board in early October and announcements were expected in the following months. As of 12 November 2026 we found no announced date and no named first area. The Art Park is a likely candidate, not a confirmed one.
What we don't know
No source gives the Art Park's area, the lake's size or a map position. We leave its coordinates blank rather than guess.
Timeline
Landscaping contracts worth about USD 2.5bn
Nesma & Partners (about USD 2bn) and Al-Rashid (about USD 330m) won the landscaping and earthworks packages, the biggest planting job in the park's story.
MEEDJun 2023RIBA Journal tours the site
RIBAJ described the landscape taking shape, from the Visitor Centre's rammed earth to the Museum of Earth canyon and the Art Park, which it called the first zone to open.
RIBA JournalMar 2026Acting CEO outlines a phased soft opening
Dale Chadwick told MEED's conference that some landscaped areas could open soon, but a 12 square kilometre park needs a process first. The opening plan was going to the board, with announcements to follow. No date or first area has been named.
MEEDSep 2026MEEDSep 2026Phased opening targeted for late 2026
ArchDaily reported in February 2026 that initial phases were expected in late 2026. Art Park was named as the first zone, but that has not been reconfirmed since September 2026. No asset is open and no date is announced.
ArchDailyFeb 2026RIBA JournalMar 2026News
- 12 Nov 2026 Where things stand: no asset open yet, Royal Arts Complex handover still pending MEEDArchDaily
- 30 Sep 2026 Foundation prepares a phased soft opening MEEDMEED
- 5 Mar 2026 RIBA Journal tours the park and names the Art Park as the first zone to open RIBA Journal
Gallery
Sources
- King Salman Park — The Masterplan / Destination for Investment · King Salman Park Foundation, 1 Jan 2025
- King Salman Park prepares for soft opening · MEED, 30 Sep 2026
- King Salman Park Advances Toward 2026 Opening · ArchDaily, 18 Feb 2026
- King Salman Park, Riyadh by Gerber Architekten · RIBA Journal, 5 Mar 2026
- King Salman Park 2026 Opening · Illustrarch, 26 Feb 2026
- King Salman Park · Gerber Architekten
