ع
The Abu Dhabi Media Office announced that Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the launch of Marsa Al Saadiyat and directed its renaming from Saadiyat Marina District to better reflect the UAE’s maritime heritage. With a gross development value of AED100 billion across 6.4 million square metres on an 8-kilometre waterfront, the project will serve as the final phase of the Saadiyat Island masterplan under master developer Aldar. Sheikh Khaled reviewed the masterplan on site and received briefings on its infrastructure and community features while affirming the initiative’s alignment with broader goals for sustainable urban growth and enhanced global competitiveness.
Aldar will deliver the overall design and primary infrastructure for a development that includes Abu Dhabi’s largest marina with capacity for 350 berths alongside 5.6 kilometres of beaches. The site will feature 140 kilometres of interconnected walking paths and a 46-kilometre cycling track woven through green linear parks and a central landscaped park extending to the waterfront. These elements aim to promote active living while integrating premium healthcare, three schools and community clubhouses with pools and sports courts within easy reach of all residences.
More than 58,000 residents will occupy a range of private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments and branded residences across the community. A one-kilometre promenade will offer retail and dining options supported by a yacht club and two luxury hotels while a theatre district anchored by Dar al Funoon will accommodate over 6,000 guests for performances. A scenic walkway will connect residents directly to the Saadiyat Cultural District and its array of museums including the Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Improved connectivity will link Marsa Al Saadiyat to Umm Yifeenah Island and Reem Island through new roads and tunnels according to the announcement from the Abu Dhabi Media Office. An underground Etihad Rail station will strengthen ties across the emirates while a new bridge will extend access to another Aldar-developed island off Saadiyat’s coast. The project complements existing educational institutions on the island ranging from nurseries to universities such as NYU Abu Dhabi and Cranleigh Abu Dhabi.
Sales of the first homes are set to begin in the second half of 2026 with site enabling works and infrastructure construction scheduled to start in the third quarter of this year. The Abu Dhabi Media Office noted that the development builds on Saadiyat Island’s established reputation for protected natural habitats, top-ranked beaches and cultural attractions. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak serves as Chairman of both the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Aldar.
In the statement, Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said, “Marsa Al Saadiyat marks the activation of the final phase of the Saadiyat Island masterplan, and with it, the beginning of the most ambitious chapter yet in the island’s evolution. Abu Dhabi today stands among the world’s most compelling destinations for long-term capital, offering a combination of vision, economic momentum, and a quality of life that continues to attract the most discerning investors and residents from around the world. Marsa Al Saadiyat is a direct expression of that confidence: a development of genuine global scale, conceived with an ambition that reflects Abu Dhabi’s place on the world stage.” Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, added that the project reinforces the emirate’s position in the global luxury landscape.
Aldar Properties reported record sales of AED40.6 billion and a net profit of AED8.8 billion in 2025 with a development backlog exceeding AED70 billion entering the current year. Recent property forecasts show Saadiyat Island values rising 28 to 34 percent over the past year with projected growth of 14 to 20 percent through 2026 as demand for premium waterfront communities remains strong. The Marsa Al Saadiyat launch adds significant scale to an island already recognised for its concentration of world-class cultural institutions and lifestyle offerings.
