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Emirates Palace Company, LEAD Development, and Mandarin Oriental have unveiled Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, 35 ultra-luxury standalone branded residences within the grounds of Abu Dhabi's iconic Emirates Palace, with completion in 2029.
May 20, 2026 | Riya Malhotra | UAE | Developers
Emirates Palace Company (EPCO), together with LEAD Development and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, has announced Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, a limited collection of 35 uniquely designed ultra-luxury private residences set within the grounds of the legendary Emirates Palace.
The development marks the first time private ownership has been introduced within one of the UAE's most historically and institutionally significant destinations. Completion of the mansions is anticipated in 2029.
For more than two decades, Emirates Palace has occupied a singular place within the civic and cultural life of the United Arab Emirates. Positioned along Abu Dhabi's ceremonial coastline, the Palace has served as a setting for state visits, international gatherings, and moments central to the public identity of the nation. The new mansions form part of Abu Dhabi's continued evolution as a global cultural, hospitality, and lifestyle capital, where architecture, long-term stewardship, and thoughtful placemaking converge.
The development brings together three partners, each with a distinct mandate. EPCO, owner and custodian of the Emirates Palace precinct, oversees one of the nation's most recognised civic and hospitality landmarks. LEAD Development leads the planning and development of the residences, drawing on its experience delivering integrated placemaking and destinations across the UAE, including Hidd Al Saadiyat and Jubail Island. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will oversee the residential hospitality experience and bespoke services for the mansions.
Positioned along one of Abu Dhabi's most significant natural shorelines, the residences sit within the axis connecting Qasr Al Watan, the Founder's Memorial, and the Corniche, a part of the capital where civic identity, coastline, and public life converge. Few residential settings in the region carry comparable cultural and national significance.
The architectural language draws from Abu Dhabi's coastal vernacular through a contemporary expression shaped by proportion, light, landscape, and privacy. The residences are organised around gardens and courtyards, oriented toward the shoreline and surrounding landscape, with privacy approached not as an amenity but as an architectural condition embedded within the planning of the homes themselves.
Residents will have access to a curated suite of hospitality and wellness spaces, including a private residents' lounge featuring a signature Mandarin Oriental tea library, private meeting rooms, a residential-style bar, a beach club with private cabanas, a kids' room, a golf simulator, and a chef's table. Direct access to a reserved stretch of shoreline further reinforces the discretion and intimacy that has long defined Emirates Palace.
H.E. Humaid Matar AlDhaheri, Board Member at Emirates Palace Company (EPCO), said: "This development represents a significant addition to the urban landscape of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and reflects the growing confidence in its real estate sector. Its association with Emirates Palace grants it exceptional value, as the Palace is considered one of the region's most iconic landmarks. This, in turn, contributes to reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a capital of urban innovation and quality of life."
Mounir Haidar, Co-Founder of LEAD Development, added: "Building within the grounds of Emirates Palace is a responsibility we do not take lightly. Our mission is to ensure the residences belong naturally within the broader architectural and cultural context of the Palace and Abu Dhabi. This is not simply a residential address but part of placemaking hospitality with a context that will continue to further position Abu Dhabi as a unique destination in the region."
Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, commented: "Abu Dhabi continues to distinguish itself internationally through the depth of its cultural identity, the quality of its hospitality, and the clarity of its long-term vision. Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, allows us to further our relationship with the capital through a residential experience rooted in discretion, craftsmanship, and thoughtful service. We are honoured to contribute to a setting that holds such significance within the region."
The launch reinforces Abu Dhabi's accelerating position as a destination for ultra-high-net-worth residential investment, building on the emirate's broader strategy of integrating luxury hospitality, cultural identity, and large-scale, low-density residential development. The introduction of private ownership within the Emirates Palace grounds further differentiates Abu Dhabi within the global branded-residences market, a category that has seen significant growth across the UAE in recent years.
Source: Emirates Palace Company / LEAD Development / Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group official communications
