There is a particular fatigue that comes with car servicing: the fluorescent lights, the clock-watching, the sense of time idling. Yet the moment I stepped into the newly reimagined Lexus Jeddah centre, that expectation dissolved. What should have been routine maintenance unfolded instead as something layered and deliberate, a space anchored in hospitality, comfort, and a sense of occasion.
Both Japanese and Saudi cultures share a deep-rooted reverence for hospitality, and this connection is immediately apparent upon encountering the fully renovated Lexus centre on Madinah Road in Jeddah. The relationship between Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and Lexus dates back to 1990, when Abdul Latif Jameel Motors and the Japanese marque began a partnership that has since evolved into a shared legacy for Lexus owners and enthusiasts across the Kingdom. A defining milestone came in 1993 with the opening of the first Lexus centre in the Middle East, a landmark that has stood proudly on Madinah Road ever since. Today, its redesigned exterior has become a contemporary symbol of the Saudi-Japanese cultures.
Designed for people, first
Inspired by the Japanese sakura blossom, the new Lexus centre’s exterior reveals itself through fluid lines, a gently graduated circular form, and a striking domed roof. The dome draws inspiration from the signature Lexus front grille and is constructed using an innovative Japanese engineering technique known as Kumiko, in which metal components are assembled without nails or screws. Expansive glass façades allow natural daylight to flood the interior, lending the building an airy, forward-looking presence that feels distinctly ahead of its time.
The architectural sensibility extends beyond the building itself to the surrounding outdoor spaces and parking areas, which have been carefully landscaped with greenery and natural trees. Inside, the design follows a clear philosophy: balance. Advanced technology and large-scale digital screens are set against natural materials such as bamboo, wood, and marble. The result is an environment that encourages calm, positivity, and a sense of ease.
A centrepiece of the interior is a monumental, interactive chandelier that responds to surrounding sounds. Guests can also step into an immersive 360-degree room, where a wraparound screen offers a fully engaging exploration of Lexus vehicles and their finest details.
Where art meets the workshop
At first glance, it may seem improbable that a single building could house vehicle service bays, parts sales, and an art gallery showcasing works by internationally recognised artists. Yet Lexus achieves this unlikely harmony with remarkable finesse. The Abdul Latif Jameel Motors’s Lexus centre doubles as a quiet cultural retreat, where visitors can browse art and unwind, while Lexus engineers work discreetly to ensure vehicles are maintained to the highest technical standards.
Omotenashi: the Japanese philosophy of hospitality
The new Lexus centre offers a contemporary cafe, an elegant lounge for deeper immersion into the Lexus universe, and the upcoming Hanami Garden, a modern Japanese restaurant with indoor seating and a spacious outdoor terrace.
For guests visiting specifically for servicing, absolute privacy is available in the dedicated service lounge. Here, visitors can hold business meetings, work in secluded areas, relax in massage chairs, enjoy entertainment facilities, or even savour light bites from the sushi bar within the service area. Every detail of this lounge has been meticulously designed by Abdul Latif Jameel Motors to deliver an exceptional ownership experience, reflecting omotenashi, the Japanese philosophy of heartfelt hospitality that lies at the core of the Lexus brand.
A living legacy
Distraction is rare inside the Lexus centre, particularly when vehicles are displayed as they are here. In the first exhibition hall, each car is presented individually, celebrated almost ceremonially, commanding space and attention. This stands in contrast to conventional showrooms, where vehicles are typically lined up side by side.
At the centre of this hall sits an antique piano that has accompanied the journey of Abdul Latif Jameel and Lexus since 1993. It stands today as a living artefact, bearing witness to more than three decades of Lexus presence in the Kingdom. In the second exhibition hall, the presentation takes on a different character altogether. Here, Lexus vehicles appear as though they have been placed within gleaming glass cases, evoking the display of fine jewellery.
In closing
A visit to the new Abdul Latif Jameel Motors’ Lexus Jeddah centre is unlike any other. It is an experience in its own right, closer in spirit to a world-class museum than a traditional automotive space. And while Lexus clearly has more to unveil in the future, no visit is complete without stopping by the ‘Crafted by Lexus’ corner, to select from the brand’s curated range of distinctive souvenirs.
Abdul Latif Jameel Motors (Lexus)
King Abdulaziz Branch Rd, Al Mohammadiyyah, Jeddah 23617
lexus.com.sa
