Exclusive: Tahaluf on Cityscape Global and Saudi Real Estate Growth

Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector is undergoing a transformation of unprecedented scale, drawing developers, institutional investors and industry leaders from around the world as the Kingdom advances the ambitions of Vision 2030.

At the centre of this evolving landscape, Cityscape Global has developed into a major international platform connecting government stakeholders, developers, investors, architects and technology companies. In 2025, the event attracted more than 164,000 visits from over 120 countries, welcomed 206 developers and generated USD 63 billion in strategic deals and property transactions onsite.

In this exclusive interview with Property News International, Tahaluf’s Executive Vice President Rachel Sturgess, discusses the company’s journey, the strategy behind Cityscape Global’s international growth, the forces driving Saudi Arabia’s real estate market and the role that investment, partnerships and leadership will play in the platform’s next chapter.

Tahaluf has quickly become one of the most important names in Saudi Arabia’s events and exhibitions sector. How would you describe the company’s journey so far?

From day one, we’ve been focused on building platforms that create long-term value for industries, rather than simply organising successful events. For me, success has always been about bringing together the right people, government, business leaders, investors and innovators, to create opportunities that drive real economic impact.

That approach has enabled Tahaluf to build internationally recognised platforms that support Saudi Vision 2030 while attracting global audiences, strategic partnerships and investment. Today, our events are recognised not only for their scale, but for their ability to facilitate business, connect decision-makers and contribute to the Kingdom’s long-term transformation.

Cityscape Global has evolved into one of the world’s most influential real estate investment platforms. What has been your vision for its growth?

Our vision has always been to position Cityscape Global as far more than a real estate exhibition. We wanted to create a platform where government, developers, investors, architects, technology companies and global business leaders come together to shape the future of urban development.

That vision has transformed Cityscape Global into one of the world’s leading real estate investment platforms. In 2025, the event attracted more than 164,000 visits from over 120 countries and welcomed 206 developers, including 82 international developers from 42 countries, generating USD 63 billion in strategic deals and property transactions onsite.

What I’m particularly proud of is the continued growth of our international investor programme. At Cityscape Global 2025, participating investors represented USD 6.1 trillion in real estate and infrastructure assets under management. We brought together 173 senior leaders from organisations including BlackRock, Brookfield, UBS, PGIM, King Street and Hines, alongside sovereign wealth funds and family offices, facilitating hundreds of curated meetings and private project visits.

For me, that’s the real measure of success. Cityscape Global has become a platform where investment decisions are made, partnerships are formed and long-term opportunities are created.

Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the world’s most ambitious real estate transformations. What do you believe is driving this momentum?

Very few countries have managed to combine long-term national planning with execution at the speed we’re seeing in Saudi Arabia today.

Across the Kingdom, we’re seeing unprecedented investment in housing, mixed-use developments, tourism, infrastructure and entirely new urban communities, all aligned with Vision 2030. What makes this particularly compelling is the scale of opportunity across every part of the market, from housing and hospitality to commercial real estate and infrastructure.

That breadth of opportunity continues to attract developers, investors and industry leaders from around the world. Combined with the Kingdom’s long-term vision and commitment to delivery, it has established Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s leading real estate markets.

Cityscape Global works closely with government stakeholders and industry leaders. How important are these partnerships to the platform’s continued success?

They are fundamental to Cityscape Global’s success. Our long-standing partnership with the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, together with the support of our wider ecosystem of partners, has helped us build a platform that connects government, investors and industry leaders in support of Vision 2030.

These relationships create opportunities for investment, collaboration and knowledge exchange, and are one of the reasons Cityscape Global has become such a trusted platform for the international real estate community.

How do you see Cityscape Global evolving over the next few years?

As the industry continues to evolve, so will Cityscape Global.

Real estate today is about much more than developing buildings. It’s about creating connected communities, improving quality of life, embracing technology, supporting sustainability and attracting long-term investment.

Our ambition is to ensure Cityscape Global remains the leading international platform where those conversations happen. We’ll continue strengthening our investor programmes, expanding international participation and creating more opportunities for meaningful partnerships that help shape the future of the built environment.

As Executive Vice President, what leadership philosophy has guided you in growing Cityscape Global into one of the world’s leading real estate platforms?

I’ve always believed that success starts with having a clear vision and never losing sight of the value you’re trying to create.

From the beginning, our ambition has been to build more than an exhibition. We’ve worked hard to create a platform that brings together the right people, creates meaningful business opportunities and supports the growth of Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector.

None of that would have been possible without the exceptional team behind Cityscape Global or the trust and collaboration of our partners across government and industry. What we’ve achieved has been a collective effort, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together.