Ahmed Seddiqi
Planning and design of a flagship store for high-end watches and jewelry — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — 2025 — Seddiqi Holding
Between Sea and Desert: Seddiqi’s First Flagship Store in Riyadh
With its first flagship store in Riyadh, the renowned luxury watch retailer Seddiqi opens a new chapter—built on a design concept by blocher partners that bridges two worlds. The boutique in Saudi Arabia’s capital blends the coastal light of Dubai with the earthy depth of the desert metropolis, translating this duality into a distinctive architectural identity for the brand.
A Strong Umbrella Identity for International Luxury Brands
From the outset, it was clear: this store needed to be more than a retail space. As architects and interior designers, we developed an overarching design language capable of uniting various luxury brands under one roof—while responding sensitively to the local context.
The façade reinterprets the Seddiqi pattern in a bold geometric expression: powerful, precise, and deeply rooted in tradition. Inside, the space unfolds through contrasts: flowing lines meet clear geometries, soft forms meet precise structures. A sculptural spiral staircase and luminous ceiling islands define the spatial choreography.
Cultural Sensitivity as a Design Principle
Alongside the overarching design vision, cultural requirements were seamlessly integrated, including separate VIP areas for watches and jewelry and corresponding service zones—implemented without compromising the store’s open and luxurious atmosphere.
A Dynamic Design Process
Over the course of the planning phase, the store grew far beyond its original footprint. Concepts evolved, supply chains were tested, and the façade underwent a complete redesign—ultimately becoming one of the most refined and technically demanding elements of the project
A Beginning for Many More Projects
The boutique in Riyadh is more than a standalone project: it marks the starting point of a new series of Seddiqi locations, from the flagship in Dubai Mall to further boutiques and the brand’s headquarters in the United Arab Emirates.
