towering turnaround

Riyadh’s new financial hub sheds reputation as costly failure

The King Abdullah Financial District is filling up as Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to rival Dubai and Abu Dhabi as Mideast business capital

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial Center

Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District is picking up traction as its gleaming new office towers are increasingly populated by international law firms, investment banks, private equity funds and multinational corporations.

The growing success and new cachet of KAFD contrasts with...