The Line, a sweeping project in Saudi Arabia, aims to become the world’s largest building in history. Construction photographs and venue footage reveal an ambitious start, with progress advancing at a steady pace. The concept, which might seem unusual at first, has materialized into a tangible vision, now turning desert landscapes into a real-world development. This mega-structure sits at the heart of the Saudi desert, envisioned as a monumental spine stretching 170 kilometers, with a height comparable to major skylines and a width around 200 meters.
The name Pharaoh falls short of capturing the scale of The Line building-city. Neom stands as another piece of the same puzzle, designed to knit together a futuristic urban fabric. After selecting the Saudi desert as the host region, the plan to host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, including a large ski slope, has become part of this bold, long-term project promoted by the Saudi regime.
In essence, the mega-structure will resemble a long, gleaming wall that runs neatly along its entire length. It will march across the desert, linking one shore to another, from the Red Sea toward inland districts. Its height will rival the Empire State Building, while its width remains compact by comparison at roughly 200 meters.
Inside this wall, residents will inhabit a carefully designed, climate-controlled world. A vast, wooded landscape will feature lakes and a full range of services and amenities, all housed within an air-conditioned environment. Living in the desert will feel as though one is aboard a space station that has its own microclimate—comfortable and predictable.
A backhoe and trucks continue to move earth in the Saudi Arabian desert, steadily shaping the land where The Line will stand. Recent footage captures the scale of ongoing activity and the early foundations of the project.
Advocates describe the project as ecologically minded, with a commitment to 100% renewable energy. Transportation within the city is planned to be zero emission, and the route from one end of the 170-kilometer block to the other is expected to take about 20 minutes by high-speed rail. Services, shops, and essential facilities are intended to be within a five-minute walk for residents, creating a highly connected urban environment.
Today’s view of the works is shared by drone photographers and builders who document every stage of development, offering a glimpse into the evolving cityscape.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also chairs the Neom board of directors, has framed The Line as a milestone in the sustainable future his country is pursuing. He has emphasized the need for new and creative solutions to address livability and environmental challenges facing cities worldwide.
A recreation image shows part of the building with a central football stadium, illustrating how various elements of the city may be integrated into the overall design. This ongoing project is followed closely by many, with continuing updates and insights into its innovations.
Beyond image galleries and progress updates, the project site provides ongoing coverage of developments over time, detailing the innovations and practical implementations that shape The Line.
Where will the water come from?
Water supply is one of the most pressing challenges for The Line and the broader Neom framework, including the ski resort. The plan hinges on large-scale water treatment facilities designed to move water from the Red Sea to the surrounding neighborhoods and communities.
Desalination plants powered by electricity from renewable sources are central to the strategy, though experts have questioned whether current technology can reliably run such expansive solar-powered operations. The energy required for desalination, and the associated carbon emissions, remain points of debate among analysts and environmental observers.
The construction of the line and related infrastructure will generate significant emissions from machinery, transportation, and material supply. The hope is that sustainability measures introduced by the Saudi government will offset these impacts in the long run, though the timeline and effectiveness of such offsets are still under discussion.
In addition to environmental concerns, questions about freedoms and human rights accompany the project. Some reports have highlighted residents being displaced to make way for development, and there have been troubling statements about punitive actions in the region. These issues cast a shadow over the project’s ideals and invite ongoing scrutiny from international organizations and observers.
The project remains a focal point of debate, balancing architectural audacity with social and environmental considerations as it moves forward.