Aldar has launched Marsa Al Saadiyat, the final phase of Saadiyat Island's master plan, introducing a AED 100 billion waterfront destination that will accommodate more than 58,000 residents and reshape Abu Dhabi's luxury residential landscape.
July 28, 2026 | Tripti Mehta | UAE | Developer | 3 Min Read
Aldar
Aldar has unveiled Marsa Al Saadiyat, activating the final phase of the Saadiyat Island master plan and marking one of Abu Dhabi's largest waterfront development announcements to date.
With a gross development value of AED 100 billion, the mixed-use destination will span 6.4 million square metres along eight kilometres of coastline, bringing together luxury residences, hospitality, cultural attractions, retail, marinas and public spaces within a fully integrated waterfront community.
The project was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, who also directed the renaming of the development from Saadiyat Marina District to Marsa Al Saadiyat during the launch.
Once completed, Marsa Al Saadiyat will accommodate more than 58,000 residents across private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments, branded residences and a hillside villa community overlooking the surrounding coastline.
The master plan places a strong emphasis on walkability and public spaces. Residents will have access to 5.6 kilometres of beaches, 140 kilometres of interconnected walking paths, a 46-kilometre cycling network, landscaped parks, sports facilities, schools and healthcare amenities, with every home located within easy reach of recreational infrastructure.
At its centre will be Abu Dhabi's largest marina, featuring more than 350 berths for vessels ranging from leisure boats to superyachts. The marina will be complemented by a one-kilometre waterfront promenade offering retail, dining, two luxury hotels and a yacht club.
The development will also strengthen Saadiyat Island's cultural offering through a new theatre district anchored by Dar al Funoon, a performing arts venue designed to host musicals, live productions and international performances for more than 6,000 guests.
Connectivity forms another key element of the master plan. New roads, tunnels and bridges will improve links between Saadiyat Island, Umm Yifeenah Island, Reem Island and Abu Dhabi mainland, while an underground Etihad Rail high-speed station integrated into the development is planned to enhance regional mobility.
The project is targeting an Estidama 2 Pearl rating at the master-plan level, with key buildings aiming for LEED Silver and Gold certification, supported by smart-city technologies and digital infrastructure.
Commenting on the launch, H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar, 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 of Aldar, added, “Marsa Al Saadiyat is a landmark development for Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the emirate's emergence as a powerful force in the global luxury landscape. With a development value of AED 100 billion, the masterplan will add significant scale and character to the island, a destination already recognised as one of the most compelling cultural and lifestyle addresses in the world.”
Sales of the first homes are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026, while site enabling and infrastructure works are expected to commence in the third quarter.
Marsa Al Saadiyat represents more than another luxury residential launch. By completing the final phase of Saadiyat Island's master plan, the development reinforces Abu Dhabi's long-term strategy of combining premium residential communities with cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility and integrated urban planning. As competition intensifies among the UAE's flagship master developments, projects that blend lifestyle, connectivity and placemaking are increasingly defining the next chapter of high-value real estate investment.
Source: Aldar
