UK-Saudi Real Estate Exhibition Reports £65.7m on Opening Day

More than 900 people attended the first day of the London exhibition, while the Madinah-based Uhud Vista development accounted for £17.8 million of the reported sales and reservations.

The second edition of the UK-Saudi Real Estate Exhibition opened in central London on Sunday with more than £65.7 million in property sales and reservations recorded during its first day, according to figures released by the organiser.

The reported total — which combines property sales and reservations rather than completed transactions alone — exceeded the amount recorded across the entire previous edition of the exhibition, the organiser said.

Held at The Chancery Rosewood in Grosvenor Square from 2 to 4 August, the event brings Saudi developers, advisers and investment specialists together with investors and prospective buyers in the United Kingdom.

More than 900 people attended the opening day, according to International Investment Gate (IIG). Visitors included company executives, Saudi diplomats, family office representatives and investors interested in the Kingdom’s expanding property market.

Queues formed at the registration area and around several exhibitors’ stands, reflecting a busy start to the three-day event.

An official opening in London

The exhibition was officially opened by Abdulrahman S. Abuganiah, Saudi Arabia’s Commercial Attaché to the United Kingdom, alongside Dr Mohammed AlSwaidan, chief executive of IIG.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mr Abuganiah toured the exhibition, met representatives of participating property companies and spoke to media outlets covering the event.

The opening reflected the exhibition’s wider purpose: to create a meeting point in London for investors seeking a clearer understanding of Saudi Arabia’s property market and for Saudi companies looking to build relationships with international buyers and financial partners.

Uhud Vista accounts for £17.8 million

One of the most closely watched projects on the opening day was Uhud Vista, a mixed-use development in Al Madinah Al Munawwarah.

According to figures released by the organiser, the project generated £17.8 million in sales and reservations during the first day.

Planned across a site measuring 17,624 square metres, Uhud Vista is expected to include residential towers containing 340 apartments, a 240-room hotel tower and more than 9,000 square metres of commercial space.

Its location places it close to several of Madinah’s best-known destinations and transport links, including the Prophet’s Mosque, Mount Uhud and the Haramain High-Speed Railway.

IIG also reported several bulk purchases across projects represented at the exhibition, contributing to the opening-day total.

Four agreements signed at the exhibition

The first day produced more than individual property reservations. Four memoranda of understanding were also signed, covering hospitality, property finance and investment cooperation.

The agreements included a tripartite arrangement between IIG, Kerten Hospitality and Fronds, as well as separate agreements between Whitehall Lending and Select Property, and between Whitehall Lending and Sama Real Estate.

According to the organiser, the agreement between Whitehall Lending and Select Property was reached after representatives of the two companies met on the exhibition floor.

A fourth agreement brought together IIG, Oluo Real Estate, Knowledge Economic City and Hama Capital to establish the Uhud Vista Fund, an investment vehicle intended to support the Madinah development.

Commenting on the opening day, Dr Mohammed AlSwaidan said: “Sixty-five million pounds in a single day tells you everything about the depth of demand between these two markets. We were honoured to welcome the Saudi Commercial Attaché, Mr Abdulrahman S. Abuganiah, to open the exhibition, and the launch of the Uhud Vista Fund shows exactly what this platform exists to do: turn introductions into institutions. We have two days left, and we are just getting started.”

Practical questions for international investors

Four investor sessions were held on the opening day, addressing subjects such as Saudi property ownership for non-residents, investment in the British property market and the structuring of cross-border investments.

The discussions come as Saudi Arabia continues to develop its property regulations, tourism infrastructure and urban projects while opening new routes for international investors.

For buyers based in Britain, exhibitions of this kind offer an opportunity to compare projects, speak directly with developers and ask practical questions about ownership eligibility, financing, fees, legal procedures and expected returns before making a commitment.

The UK-Saudi Real Estate Exhibition continues at The Chancery Rosewood on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 August, from noon until 8 p.m. Entry is free, subject to advance registration.

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