MERED has unveiled Bay Villas, a collection of five waterfront residences at Riviera Residences on Al Reem Island, as demand for design-led luxury homes continues to grow in Abu Dhabi's premium residential market.
July 03, 2026 | Riya Malhotra | UAE | Developer
MERED has unveiled Bay Villas, a collection of five waterfront residences at Riviera Residences on Al Reem Island, expanding its flagship mixed-use development as Abu Dhabi's luxury residential market continues to gather momentum.
The limited-edition collection forms part of Riviera Residences, the developer's waterfront project designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the Pritzker Prize-winning architectural practice. Interiors for the villas have been created by London-based design studio Dseesion.
Each residence has been named after a destination along the French Riviera and incorporates private internal courtyards, a design feature inspired by traditional regional architecture that provides natural light, privacy and landscaped outdoor space within each home.
According to Michael Belton, Chief Executive Officer of MERED, the collection has been designed to offer distinctive waterfront residences that combine Mediterranean influences with Abu Dhabi's architectural identity.
The launch comes as demand for premium residential properties in Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen. According to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), the emirate recorded AED66 billion in real estate transactions during the first quarter of 2026, its highest quarterly performance to date. Al Reem Island accounted for approximately AED9 billion in transactions, reinforcing its position as one of Abu Dhabi's most active residential investment destinations.
Located within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) district, Riviera Residences occupies a first-line waterfront position overlooking the Arabian Gulf. The wider development will comprise more than 400 apartments and 11 villas, including Bay Villas, Sky Villas and a penthouse.
Residents will have access to landscaped gardens, a waterfront promenade, four swimming pools, wellness facilities, a Sky Garden, family amenities and more than 15,000 plants integrated throughout the development. Landscape architecture has been designed by Michel Desvigne Paysagiste in collaboration with Herzog & de Meuron.
MERED confirmed that enabling works have been completed and construction is progressing on schedule, with the first phase of Riviera Residences expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2029.
The launch reflects a broader shift within Abu Dhabi's luxury housing market, where developers are increasingly differentiating projects through architecture, landscape design and lifestyle-led amenities rather than relying solely on waterfront locations. As the capital attracts greater interest from international investors and high-net-worth buyers, design quality is becoming an increasingly important competitive factor across premium residential developments.
Source: BizToday
