Khatib & Alami (K&A), one of the Middle East’s leading multidisciplinary consultancies, joined key stakeholders to mark the successful opening of SEVEN Abha Entertainment Destination, the first completed under Saudi Entertainment Ventures’ (SEVEN’s) nationwide program.
The opening ceremony was held on August 5 under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Aseer and Chairman of the Aseer Development Authority, and in the presence of Abdullah Al Dawood, Chairman of SEVEN, and key members of the organization’s leadership team. K&A was represented by Dany Ghandour, Vice President – PMC & Facilities Management, and Marwan Abbas, Project Director, alongside other company delegates.
SEVEN Abha is among 14 entertainment destinations planned by SEVEN across Saudi Arabia. With more than 91,000 m² of built‑up area, the development brings together family entertainment, immersive experiences and themed public spaces inspired by the landscape and cultural identity of Aseer.
As PMC Consultant for the SAR 1.5 billion development, K&A managed the design and procurement process through construction, testing and commissioning, leading to handover. As the central point of integration, K&A brought SEVEN’s consultants, contractors and specialists under a unified governance framework, aligning stakeholders around common standards for quality, delivery and safety.
Dany Ghandour said: “Under the leadership of our client, SEVEN Abha has been an excellent example of how to deliver a complex project at pace. With specialist attractions, technical systems and commercial interfaces progressing simultaneously, K&A’s role was to ensure stakeholders were fully aligned to keep delivery moving at every stage through to opening.”
To manage this complexity, K&A established a fully integrated digital delivery system built around a Common Data Environment, with Aconex and Autodesk Construction Cloud supporting secure information exchange and real-time collaboration. BIM improved coordination, while laser scanning, 4D simulation and Augmented Reality provided visibility across design, construction and commissioning. These capabilities allowed the team to work more efficiently, identify risks earlier and make informed decisions. K&A coordinated 150 contractors and oversaw more than 1.6 million workflow actions, 165,000 document records and 46,000 formal communications, helping sustain program momentum.
SEVEN Abha achieved LEED Gold status, with sustainability requirements integrated into design, material selection and construction methodologies. The project also recorded more than 15 million safe working hours through proactive HSSE supervision across logistics, material handling, site welfare facilities and construction activities.
Marwan Abbas added: “Successful transition into operation depended on close coordination across every workstream, with quality and safety remaining central throughout.”
SEVEN Abha builds on K&A’s long‑standing role in delivering multidisciplinary projects across Saudi Arabia. The destination will broaden access to family entertainment and contribute to Aseer’s long‑term economic and tourism growth.
