Moon World Resorts (MWR), the Canadian company behind the moon-shaped resort concept long associated with Dubai, has announced the appointment of Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) as programme manager and cost consultant across all of its future “MOON Smart City” developments worldwide.
A project born in Dubai, now going global
The concept was originally envisaged for Dubai, with the Dubai Pearl site identified as a potential location for the resort, then valued at approximately €4.6 billion (US$5 billion). It was there that a 224-metre-tall moon-shaped hotel complex was first unveiled, and the United Arab Emirates remains an option under consideration by the group, though no site or local partner has been confirmed.
The concept had also previously been floated as a candidate for Las Vegas, where a Moon hotel was at one point presented as an extraordinary architectural project. Moon World Resorts now says it is developing the concept for several markets simultaneously, with rollouts planned across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Oceania and Africa.
A mandate for financial and scheduling oversight
RLB will act as programme manager and cost consultant across all MOON Smart City developments, from pre-development through to the full delivery of each masterplan. The stated aim is to guarantee budgetary discipline, adherence to timelines and compliance with sustainability standards at every stage.
The firm, which cites a two-century heritage in programme management, cost management and quantity surveying, has built its reputation on landmark projects including the Sydney Opera House, the HSBC headquarters in Hong Kong, the London Olympic Games and the CityCenter complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. RLB now operates in 36 countries with more than 4,600 staff.
A sprawling mega-project still taking shape
Each MOON development is designed as a “building of global significance”, anchored around what the group describes as the largest true spherical structure ever built. The associated masterplan covers roughly 225 hectares (556 acres) and is intended to combine hospitality, entertainment, longevity and wellness, education, technology, attractions, luxury residences and premium commercial real estate.
Moon World Resorts presents the concept as unique on a global scale. However, no opening date, precise site or local development partner has yet been confirmed for any of the markets targeted.
Both partners point to the need for discipline at scale
Sandra G. Matthews, co-founder and chair of Moon World Resorts, said that a development of MOON’s scale and ambition demanded a partner capable of imposing discipline while managing complexity, and that RLB had done exactly that for two centuries on some of the world’s most demanding projects. She added that RLB’s expertise would give MWR’s stakeholders and regional licensed partners the confidence that MOON’s landmark goals would be met with financial and operational rigour at every stage.
Paul Brussow, President of RLB North America, said that projects of this scale required far more than an ambitious vision, and that they demanded discipline, transparency and expertise to navigate complexity at every stage. He added that RLB was pleased to bring its global programme management and cost consulting capabilities to MOON, providing the structure, visibility and confidence needed to carry the concept through to successful delivery across all target markets, and said the firm was proud to support Moon World Resorts in realising this unprecedented vision.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Moon World Resorts taps RLB for global MOON Smart City rollout
RLB appointed Program Manager and Cost Consultant across all worldwide MOON Smart City developments
Concept originally linked to Dubai (Dubai Pearl site); UAE still under consideration, no site or partner confirmed
Planned markets: North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, Asia, Oceania, Africa
Original masterplan valued at $5 billion (approx. €4.6 billion)
Each masterplan spans roughly 556 acres (225 hectares), anchored by what MWR calls the world’s largest true Sphere
RLB operates in 36 countries with 4,600+ staff, with a track record including the Sydney Opera House and HSBC Hong Kong HQ
