Where Is Nassif House Located?

Nassif House is located in Historic Jeddah, in Jeddah Governorate, which belongs to Makkah Al-Mukarramah Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The house covers an area of nine hundred m² and contains forty rooms. The first floor of the house was designated for receiving guests, the second floor for their accommodation, and the third floor for the family. The fourth floor features wall openings designed to cool the air, known as air catchers (Malqaf Al-Hawa), which served as the family’s preferred space during the summer.

Nassif House was built by master builders in 1872, and its construction took four years. The house was constructed using Kashur stone, a fragile coral stone brought from the coast of the Red Sea, which helps protect the building from heat and cold while absorbing humidity. To prevent erosion of the stone caused by year-round humidity, gypsum plaster (Bayad Al-Masis) was applied. Its architectural details, which reflect the urban development of the region at that time, have added to its importance within the heritage and antiquities framework.

Nassif House gained historical importance when the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud stayed there in 1925. He used it as his residence for nearly ten years, during which he received senior state guests and listened to the demands of citizens. The house also served as a venue for signing several agreements with ambassadors and representatives from different countries. In addition, it was visited by heads of state, scholars, thinkers, and writers, which further enhanced its cultural and historical significance.