This is part of the King Abdullah Financial District, right now a giant construction site. Tim thought we could drive around there, but there was no way, so I had to be happy with shots from the freeway. The striking building at right will be the Capital Market Authority Tower, scheduled for completion in 2017. The one in the center will be the GCC Bank headquarters and should be finished this year.

The KAFD will consist of 59 towers in an area of 1.6 million square meters for multiple uses. It is considered to be a "window to modernity" in the kingdom since there will be no separation of the sexes in the complex, unlike everywhere else and especially in ultra conservative Riyadh. A very interesting article that discusses this project and others is here http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/13/arts/design/13desert.html?adxnnl=1&pagewanted=all&adxnnlx=1368285519-dDLdOrrJq0dBnkPfnS4Qjw&_r=0

More of the financial district, posted earlier