Landmark Restoration: Red Sea Museum Reopens in Jeddah
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Rowad Modern Engineering, in cooperation with First Gulf Company, has officially announced the reopening of the Red Sea Museum in Historic Jeddah. The ceremony was attended last month by H.E. the Saudi Minister of Culture, marking a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s heritage preservation efforts.
Mahlab, CEO of Rowad Modern Engineering, said:
“The Red Sea Museum represents far more than a building; it is a celebration of Saudi Arabia’s maritime identity and cultural legacy. Our role was to preserve this heritage with precision and engineering excellence for generations to come.”
Expertise in Heritage-Sensitive Restoration
Mariam Youssef, Head of the Heritage Business Unit, explained:
“Delivering within a heritage-sensitive environment demanded sequenced strengthening strategies, rigorous craftsmanship control, and proactive interface management to meet modern performance standards without compromising authenticity.”
Eng. Mohamed Fawzy, General Manager of Rowad’s Saudi branch, added:
“This project required disciplined coordination across architectural and structural interfaces—protecting design intent and ensuring cohesive delivery across the full asset.”
Comprehensive Restoration Program
Rowad Modern Engineering, recognized as a regional leader in heritage restoration, executed a full restoration and rehabilitation program for the museum. In collaboration with First Gulf Company, the project preserved the authenticity of this early-20th-century landmark while upgrading it to meet modern museum standards.
Key components included:
-
Specialized restoration and structural strengthening for the main museum building and the iconic canopy.
-
Complete internal and external architectural finishing under an integrated coordination model across architectural, structural, and civil engineering disciplines.
-
Construction and delivery of the Annex Building, designed to meet functional, operational, and architectural standards.
The controlled, multi-interface execution strategy ensured preservation of the original design intent while achieving seamless, high-quality delivery across the entire museum.
A Cultural Landmark on Jeddah’s Historic Waterfront
Situated on Jeddah’s historic waterfront, the Red Sea Museum now serves as a premier cultural and tourism destination, showcasing:
-
The maritime history of the Red Sea
-
Rare cultural and maritime artifacts
-
Stories of trade, pilgrimage, and coastal life connecting civilizations for centuries
The museum enhances the Kingdom’s cultural tourism landscape, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 by enriching cultural offerings, supporting tourism, and improving quality of life through meaningful heritage destinations.
Collaborative Success Through Strategic Partnerships
Rowad highlighted that the museum’s successful delivery was driven by close collaboration with stakeholders, early technical alignment, and a shared commitment to quality and heritage preservation.
About Rowad Modern Engineering
Rowad Modern Engineering, a subsidiary of Elsewedy Electric Group, has over 25 years of experience in Egypt, the Middle East, and Africa. The company specializes in large-scale, multidisciplinary, and complex projects across sectors including:
-
Heritage restoration and museum renovation
-
Green energy and heavy industries
-
Infrastructure, ports, and bridges
-
Commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels, and educational institutions
Through strategic alliances with international companies and financial institutions, Rowad has expanded regionally in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Libya, and Africa. Notable projects include:
-
Rabigh Power Plant, Saudi Arabia
-
Tahya Misr 1 Container Terminal, Damietta Port
-
Benban Solar Park, Aswan
-
Olympic Sports Hall
-
Heritage restorations: Mohamed Ali Palace and Red Sea Museum in Jeddah
-
Rehabilitation of the Ministry of Culture headquarters in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
Rowad’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and quality continues to position it as a trusted partner for heritage preservation and infrastructure projects across the region.