JEDDAH: Unveiled by Red Sea Global, Laheq is the first island focused on residences rather than tourism, bringing resort-style living and homeownership to Saudi Arabia.

Located off Saudi Arabia’s western coast, Laheq Island is part of an archipelago of 92 untouched islands that are home to over 2,000 marine species, many of which are found nowhere else.

Out of all the locations, RSG selected the island for its intimate scale and natural beauty which is shaped by coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and calm lagoons.

Ahmad Darwish, group chief administrative officer at RSG, told Arab News: “Spanning over 400 hectares, the island is designed for everyday living, not just holidays. It offers a unique opportunity to own a private island home in a destination globally known for regenerative tourism and barefoot luxury.”

Laheq’s proximity to Shura Island, the main hub of the Red Sea, ensures seamless connectivity to the mainland, making it ideal for a close-knit year-round community.

Darwish added: “It is designed by Foster and Partners, whose vision is grounded in its natural beauty. Their ‘Forever Gardens’ concept creates a regenerative, sensory-rich island shaped by greenery and architectural harmony.”

Lissoni and Partners crafted the villa interiors, offering two palettes: light (with ivory, cream, and airy tones) and dark (with rich woods and earthy textures), to reflect different expressions of “barefoot luxury.”

At its heart lies The Ring, an 800-meter circular structure of luxury apartments, hotels, and shops surrounding the island’s central lagoon and white sands.

Laheq is designed to support all generations, offering everything from beach clubs and wellness sanctuaries to family spaces and cultural programs.

Highlights include two luxury hotels, one focused on wellness and the other on social energy. There’s also a 115-berth marina with sailing and watersports schools, an 18-hole championship golf course, several beach clubs, and clubs for men and women.

A retail and dining souq caters to both everyday needs and luxury experiences. North Park features sports facilities like tennis, padel, basketball, football, a gym, and a lap pool. The island also includes cultural programming, a mosque, and curated events for residents.

Laheq embodies RSG’s sustainability ethos, and Darwish said: “Residences are intentionally placed to maximize privacy (with) natural views, and solar orientation, while the entire island operates on 100 percent renewable energy and adheres to Red Sea Global’s pioneering environmental commitments.”

The “Forever Gardens” philosophy ensures that buildings blend with nature, using reclaimed materials, prioritizing solar orientation, and protecting mangroves and coral reefs.

Laheq will also contribute to economic diversification, job creation, and tourism growth.

Darwish added: “It also shows RSG’s evolution, from a destination developer to a vertically integrated real estate company delivering enduring value through real estate, hospitality, and sustainability.”

Laheq is scheduled for completion in 2028, with sales now officially underway. Development is set to begin shortly, marking a new chapter in exclusive island living.

Darwish said: “It appeals to those seeking second homes or primary residences in a private island setting, as well as intergenerational families looking to create meaningful shared experiences. The development also resonates with eco-conscious buyers who value sustainability and timeless design.”

RSG is working to plant 50 million mangroves and improve their natural habitats, while also protecting and restoring coral reefs in the Red Sea and nearby areas.

The developer is also on track to finish all 16 hotels in phase one of The Red Sea. By 2030 the full project will include 50 resorts with up to 8,000 hotel rooms and over 1,000 homes spread across 22 islands and six inland locations, with Red Sea International Airport ensuring easy access.

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Saudi Cabinet session on Tuesday in Jeddah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Among the matters discussed was the implementation of measures announced by the crown prince last month aimed at stabilizing the real estate sector in Riyadh.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of addressing the rise in land prices and rents that have been witnessed in the capital in recent years, highlighting the Kingdom’s keenness to ensure balanced growth, the SPA reported.

It also hailed the recent discoveries of oil and natural gas in the Eastern Province and the Empty Quarter, describing them as a “qualitative addition” that will consolidate Saudi Arabia’s economic standing and bolster its ability to meet both local and global energy demands for decades to come.

The Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom’s communications with other countries, focusing on developments in regional and global arenas, and exploring ways to enhance joint cooperation. It highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting international security, stability and humanitarian support for those in need.

It welcomed the growing international support for the upcoming conference to resolve the Palestinian issue and implement the two-state solution, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France.

It stressed the urgent need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the importance of ensuring humanitarian aid reaches civilians without delay.

During the session, the Cabinet approved a number of key agreements and initiatives.

These included agreements with Morocco on mutual assistance in criminal matters, extradition and the transfer of convicts; and a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia to exempt holders of diplomatic, special or official passports from short-stay visa requirements.

Further approvals covered environmental cooperation with Jordan, health cooperation with Iran and education collaboration with South Korea. The Cabinet also authorized the signing of an agreement with Bahrain to avoid double taxation, alongside agreements with Kuwait and Croatia for similar tax purposes.

In technology, an MoU was approved between Saudi Arabia’s Communications, Space and Technology Commission and Greece’s National Telecommunications and Postal Authority. The Kingdom also agreed to join the Tampere Convention on telecommunications resources for disaster mitigation and relief operations.

Additional MoUs included cooperation on disability care with Djibouti, trade promotion with China, combating terrorism with Kenya, and news exchange between the Saudi Press Agency and Algeria’s state news agency.

In addition, the Cabinet praised the outcomes of the second edition of the Human Capabilities Initiative Conference recently held in Riyadh, which announced more than 100 launches, agreements, and MoUs aimed at stimulating international cooperation and furthering the goals of Vision 2030 in developing human capital.

Other notable decisions included the restructuring of the Primary Committee for the Resolution of Insurance Disputes and Violations in Jeddah, headed by Sultan bin Fayhan Aba Al-Ala, and the establishment of an operations room dedicated to processing financial fraud reports.

The Cabinet approved the final accounts of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University for the previous fiscal year.

It also approved promotions and appointments at the fourteenth rank across multiple ministries, including the promotion of Abdullah bin Saad bin Saleh Al-Ghamdi at the Ministry of Energy and the appointment of Ghallab bin Ghaleb bin Rajih Abu Khashim as deputy emir of Al-Baha Region.

Finally, the Cabinet reviewed a number of general topics, including annual reports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Saudi Red Sea Authority and the Social Development Bank.