Abu Dhabi has launched Marsa Al Saadiyat, a waterfront development on Saadiyat Island. The release gives its value as AED 100 billion. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, witnessed the launch. The project was renamed from Saadiyat Marina District.
Key takeaways
- A value of AED 100 billion, covering 6.4 million square metres. The release uses three different value terms for it.
- Planned for more than 58,000 residents, with an 8-kilometre waterfront and up to 350 marina berths.
- Site works begin in the third quarter of 2026, and first home sales in the second half of 2026.
Scale
The development covers a total area of 6.4 million square metres, with an 8-kilometre waterfront, 5.6 km of beaches and a 1-kilometre promenade with retail and dining. It is planned for more than 58,000 residents.
Waterfront, marina and walking routes
- A marina that the release calls Abu Dhabi’s largest, with up to 350 berths for sailing boats and luxury yachts. A yacht club is also listed.
- Two luxury hotels. The release does not name them.
- Three schools. The release does not name them.
- About 140 km of interconnected walking paths and a 46 km cycling track.
- A theatre district anchored by Dar al Funoon, a performing arts venue with capacity for more than 6,000 guests.
- Community clubhouses with outdoor pools, sports courts and premium healthcare, green linear parks, and a landscaped central park that reaches the waterfront.
- A scenic walkway to the Saadiyat Cultural District.
The release lists private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments, branded residences and a hillside community of standalone villas. It does not give the number of homes or their prices.
Transport
The release describes an Etihad Rail underground high-speed rail station as part of the development. It also describes a new network of roads and tunnels linking to Umm Yifeenah Island and Reem Island, and a new bridge to an Aldar-developed island off the coast of Saadiyat Island. The release gives no cost, length or opening date for these works.
Timeline
- Site enabling and infrastructure works begin in the third quarter of 2026.
- Sales of the first homes begin in the second half of 2026.
Developer and value
Aldar is the master developer, responsible for overall design and primary infrastructure delivery. The release gives the value as AED 100 billion but uses three different terms for it: investment value in the headline, gross development value in the opening text, and development value in a quote from Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group CEO of Aldar. It does not define or reconcile them.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Aldar, said Marsa Al Saadiyat marks the activation of the final phase of the Saadiyat Island masterplan.
What the release does not say
- The total number of homes, and how many of each housing type
- Home prices or sales targets
- Completion dates for the project or its phases
- The cost, length or opening date of the roads, tunnels, bridge and rail station
- The names of the two luxury hotels and the three schools
- Whether the three value terms refer to the same figure
Source
Abu Dhabi Media Office release, dated 22 July 2026, on the launch of Marsa Al Saadiyat: Crown Prince witnesses launch of Marsa Al Saadiyat. Figures checked against this release on 30 October 2026.
