His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has officially inaugurated Marsa Al Saadiyat — a development valued at AED100 billion, covering 6.4 million square metres. Aldar is acting as master developer, overseeing both the design and the delivery of primary infrastructure.
The project was previously known as Saadiyat Marina District, but His Highness directed it be renamed Marsa Al Saadiyat, a name intended to reflect the UAE’s maritime heritage. It will house Abu Dhabi’s largest marina, with berthing space for up to 350 sailing boats and yachts, further establishing the emirate as a premier leisure tourism destination.
During his visit, His Highness reviewed the masterplan and was briefed on the project’s design, infrastructure, and community amenities — including parks, marinas, a waterfront promenade, and walking and cycling paths. He described the development as reflecting the UAE leadership’s ongoing commitment to building integrated infrastructure that strengthens the country’s global competitiveness, while combining quality of life, economic growth, and sustainability.
His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Aldar, positioned the inauguration as the beginning of the final and most ambitious phase of Saadiyat Island’s masterplan, pointing to Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal to global long-term investors. Aldar Group CEO Talal Al Dhiyebi added that, at AED100 billion, the project reinforces Abu Dhabi’s rising status in the global luxury property landscape.
Scale and layout
The masterplan spans an 8-kilometre waterfront, including 5.6 kilometres of beachfront, roughly 140 kilometres of interconnected walking paths, and a 46-kilometre cycling track. The design is built around a network of green linear parks anchored by a central park leading to the waterfront, alongside children’s play areas, community clubhouses with pools, sports courts, healthcare facilities, and three schools — all intended to be within easy walking, cycling, or driving distance from home.
Homes and population
Marsa Al Saadiyat is expected to house more than 58,000 residents across private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments, branded residences, and a hillside villa community set 22.5 metres above sea level.
Connectivity and lifestyle
A walkway will link the development directly to Saadiyat Cultural District, putting residents close to the island’s museums, dining, and five-star hospitality. Within Marsa Al Saadiyat itself, a 1-kilometre retail and dining promenade, a yacht club, and two luxury hotels will anchor its own social hub, alongside a theatre district led by Dar al Funoon — a performing arts venue seating more than 6,000 for musicals and live performances.
The development adds to an island that already hosts some of the region’s leading cultural institutions, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — alongside internationally recognised schools such as NYU Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, ACS Abu Dhabi, and Harrow International School Abu Dhabi.
Infrastructure
New roads and tunnels will connect the development to Umm Yifeenah Island and Reem Island, cutting travel times into central Abu Dhabi. An underground Etihad Rail high-speed station is also planned, strengthening inter-emirate connectivity. A separate bridge will link the project to another Aldar-developed island off Saadiyat’s coast.
Timeline
Sales of the first homes are due to launch in the second half of 2026, with site enabling and infrastructure works starting in Q3 2026.
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Henry Wiltshire International is uniquely positioned to advise on every aspect of Saadiyat Island, with our agents and directors bringing experience dating back to 2008—before construction began and before the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge connected the island to Abu Dhabi. Our longstanding presence has given us an unrivalled understanding of every development across Saadiyat Island, complemented by a reputation for delivering discreet, professional service and trusted property advice.
