MILAN — Amid the ongoing boom in resorts and new residences, the wave of European design firm openings is intensifying. Minotti, known for its sleek furniture designs by Rodolfo Dordoni, Hannes Peer and Marcio Kogan, is the latest to open its doors in downtown Riyadh, which is rapidly becoming a new, global design hub.
On Tuesday, the firm cut the ribbon on a 6,673-square-foot space in the King Abdullah Financial District, or KAFD, the same place where fellow Italian design company Molteni&C plans to open its showroom later this year. Salone del Mobile.Milano will also host its first Saudi event in the same complex Nov. 26 to 28.
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“Saudi Arabia is undergoing a period of extraordinary transformation, and we see great potential for Minotti to contribute to this new cultural and aesthetic dialogue,” co-chief executive officer Roberto Minotti told WWD.
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Designed by Minotti Studio, the new space opened in partnership with long-standing local partner Gallery Design and is housed within a deconstructivist-inspired building.
The entrance leads to a double-height living space featuring the Yves seating system by Peer. A striking travertine fireplace with bas-reliefs acts as a sculptural centerpiece, dividing the two spaces.
The showroom also hosts a stunning display of regional creativity and innovation with works by Amman, Jordan-based Naqsh Collective founded by sisters Nisreen & Nermeen Abudail, Saudi Arabian artist Muhannad Shono, and Riyadh based calligrapher and architect Nasser Al Salem, and Milan and Dubai-based sculptor Helidon Xhixha.
Across the board, Italian design leaders are eager to take a slice of Saudi Arabia’s growth story as part of its broader Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, especially as key markets like the U.S. and China battle inflation, trade woes and the rising cost of living and real estate. In addition to Minotti and Molteni&C, both Boffi|DePadova and Giorgetti are planning to open in Riyadh in 2026. Fendi Casa opened there in October 2024, while Roche Bobois, a French family business, was a pioneer in the region, opening in 2007, and now has stores in both Jeddah and Riyadh.
For companies like Minotti, positioning a showroom in the heart of the nation’s capital allows the firm to tap into the potential spurred by new projects and developments nationwide. Propelled by Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is expected to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, creating demand for 362,000 new hotel rooms, according to the country’s statistics bureau.
“Through the collaboration with our partner and local A&D professionals, we aim to bring the essence of Italian craftsmanship and timeless elegance to a rapidly evolving design landscape, delivering projects in the world of hospitality and residential living,” said Minotti, whose father Alberto founded the firm in 1948 in Meda, Italy. Roberto is co-CEO with his brother Renato.
Leasable retail space is expected to grow to 106.6 million square feet as high-end office rental rates climb 8.7 percent year-on-year, according to commercial real estate trends and insights firm JLL Research.
Saudi Arabia’s furniture, fixtures and equipment market was valued at approximately 6.1 billion euros in 2024 and is expected to reach 8.1 billion euros by 2030, according to research by TechSci Research and Mordor Intelligence.
For these reasons, Italy‘s leading design trade show Salone del Mobile.Milano will host its first major event there, showcasing the collections of 35 Italian furniture, lighting, surfaces and accessories brands. The landmark event will serve as a preview to a larger, more structured trade show that will take place there in 2026.