Real estate development company Aldar has revealed plans for Marsa Al Saadiyat, a waterfront development valued at Dh100bn ($27.2bn), marking the final phase of Saadiyat Island’s masterplan in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The announcement follows the inauguration of the project by Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. He visited the launch site with Aldar’s chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak and group CEO Talal Al Dhiyebi.
Marsa Al Saadiyat, previously known as Saadiyat Marina District, will feature homes for over 58,000 residents in private mansions, branded residences, luxury villas and waterfront apartments, including a hillside community of stand-alone villas.
The site will include Abu Dhabi’s largest marina, which will offer more than 350 berths for boats and superyachts, set along 8km of coastline.
Aldar, which is overseeing the design and delivery of the primary infrastructure, expects site enabling and infrastructure works to commence in the third quarter of this year.
The first phase of home sales is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.
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.”
The masterplan incorporates 5.6km of beaches, a 46km cycling loop, and about 140km of interconnected walking paths, with every home located within 150m of these routes.
Planned amenities include children’s play areas, clubhouses, sports courts, health care, three schools and a landscaped central park.
The project will link directly to the Saadiyat Cultural District, home to institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Other features include a 1km-long promenade, two luxury hotels, a yacht club and a theatre district anchored by Dar al Funoon, a venue designed to accommodate over 6,000 people.
Marsa Al Saadiyat will be connected via new roads, tunnels, a bridge and an underground Etihad Rail high-speed rail station, providing access to nearby islands and wider connections to the UAE.
The project aims to achieve an Estidama 2 Pearl sustainability rating and intends to secure LEED Silver and Gold certifications for specific assets, while integrating advanced digital infrastructure and smart-city technologies.
Saadiyat Island also offers access to educational facilities, including NYU Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, American Community School of Abu Dhabi, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and Harrow International School Abu Dhabi.
