Local contractor Al-Bawani Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for a hotel development in Jeddah.

Al-Bawani was awarded a $440m contract for the construction of the Four Seasons Hotel in Jeddah, according to a company spokesperson.

The hotel, which is being developed by the local Midad Real Estate Investment & Development Company, is expected to cost $480m.

The scope of the work includes a 34-storey hotel building and an eight-storey retail podium as well as all infrastructure works and associated facilities. The five-star hotel will have 275 rooms.

Foundation work for the hotel has already started with Germany’s Baur working on the scheme. France’s Oger International is the consultant and the UK’s Skidmore Owings and Merrill is the main architect.

The project is being developed near King Abdulaziz International Airport on the Corniche Road.

The project is progressing as the government plans to develop the coastal areas as touristic destinations. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 said it will look to capitalise on the government’s reserves of real estate and allocate prime areas within cities for educational institutions, and retail and entertainment centres. Large areas along coasts will be dedicated to tourist projects and appropriate lands will be allocated for industrial schemes.

The kingdom is also looking to double the number of religious tourists.