Studying the local real estate market is the first thing you should do before buying residential or commercial property in Abu Dhabi. There are dozens of developers and real estate agencies in the capital of the UAE. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the information, so we have compiled a list of the biggest real estate companies and brokers working in Abu Dhabi.
Real Estate Developers
Aldar Properties
Aldar Properties has been working in the market since 2005. It merged with Sorouh Real Estate, another major developer in the UAE, in 2013. Aldar Properties is now one of the most famous developers in the UAE and the wider Middle East. The company's portfolio includes over 26,000 residential units, almost 2800 hotel rooms, 3 million square metres of offices and 5 million square metres of retail area. Apart from building and selling real estate, Aldar Properties also provides investment and educational services such as Aldar Education. The following significant projects were completed by Aldar Properties: Al Raha Beach, Yas Island, World Trade Centre Abu Dhabi, Al Falah, Noor Al Ain, Mamsha Al Saadiyat.
New buildings in the UAE
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Imkan is an international real estate company in Abu Dhabi, founded in 2017. It's part of the Abu Dhabi Capital Group (ADCG) holding. The developer is a newcomer but already boasts 26 residential, retail, commercial and hotel projects scattered in seven countries on three continents (UAE, Morocco, Seychelles, Montenegro, Bahrain, Egypt, and Sri Lanka).
Imkan also has several ongoing projects in Abu Dhabi. One of these projects is Pixel on Al Reem island. The complex features residential and co-working areas, a medical clinic, education facilities, shops, cafes and restaurants. The project was designed by the MVRDV architecture firm, known for designing RED7 in Moscow, Markthall in Rotterdam and The Stack in Melbourne. The general contractor of the Pixel project is the Chinese construction company CNTC.
Makers District is another project by Imkan on Al Reem. It covers an area of 18 hectares. The developer intends to attract a lot of creative people to this location. In addition to residential units and various facilities, the Makers District will have an art space called The Artery with offices, a shopping area and parking.
Reportage Properties was founded in Abu Dhabi in 2014 by professionals with over 30 years experience in construction. Reportage Properties is now one of the biggest private developers in the UAE. It has projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Cairo. Leonardo Residences, completed in 2018, was the company's first project. It is a residential complex in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. The project was a success and sold out within record time. Ninety-three percent of apartments were reserved for sale the day after the groundbreaking ceremony. Reportage Properties currently has 11 projects under construction, seven of them in Abu Dhabi: Al Maryah Vista, Al Raha Lofts 1, Al Raha Lofts 2, Diva, The Gate, Oasis Residence 1, and Oasis Residence 2.
This company is the result of the partnership between two large developers — Bin Ham Properties and Caphy Properties. Baraka Real Estate Development's portfolio includes residential and commercial projects, as well as entertainment facilities in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and abroad. Over the past 45 years, the company has developed over 100 real estate projects in the UAE, Morocco and Bosnia. The 5-star hotel Royal Rose, resembling a 17th-century French palace, is the company’s most famous project in Abu Dhabi. City Season Al Hamra Hotel is another example of the company's hotels in the UAE.
Mubadala Investment Company was established after the merger of the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) and the Mubadala Development Company (MDC). In 2018, Mubadala also merged with the Abu Dhabi Investment council, thus becoming a state-owned company. Mubadala's total investment portfolio reaches $284 billion. Mubadala is the second-largest sovereign wealth fund in Abu Dhabi and the third in the UAE. The holding includes several subsidiaries in different sectors of the economy (aerospace and mining industries, agriculture, healthcare, construction, etc.). These companies operate both in the Emirates and abroad. The Mubadala Investment Company works in over 50 countries around the world, with offices in Abu Dhabi, New York, San Francisco, London, Rio de Janeiro, Moscow and Beijing. The holding's development company is currently working on a project of residential complexes and office buildings in Abu Dhabi. The project's name, Al Maryah Island, comes from the name of its location — a 114-hectare island.
Founded in 1999, the National Investment Corporation builds shopping malls, residential and hotel complexes in the UAE. It also manages real estate and hotels. The company's headquarters is in Abu Dhabi. Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan is the chairman and the majority shareholder of the NIC. He also acts as the advisor to the president of the UAE. The company’s most famous projects in Abu Dhabi are Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi Fairmont Hotel and Serviced Apartments, Marina City, Marina Office Park, and Marina Luxury Villas.
Bloom Properties is a subsidiary of Bloom Holding. The developer's specialty is high-end real estate, hotels, offices and education facilities. The company's portfolio boasts a total of around 5000 projects. Among them are 1000 luxury residential buildings, 630 hotel units, several high-end business centres, 11 schools and a kindergarten. In 2022, Bloom Properties received awards in three categories of the Arabian Property Awards, held as part of the International Property Awards. Bloom Gardens in Abu Dhabi won the "Best Mixed-Use Development" and "Best Residential Complex," while Bloom Towers in Dubai took the "Best Apartment/Condominium" award.
Launched in 2005, Tamouh is part of the Royal Group conglomerate, which invests in real estate around the world. In 2013 it bought a beach in Montenegro and in 2014 the company invested in construction in Russia. The developer signed several intergovernmental and commercial agreements with Kazakhstan in 2021 to collaborate on local projects. The Royal Group's subsidiaries are also contributing to the development of Al Reem island and the Abu Dhabi 2030 project — a long-term plan for economic development. Marina Square and City of Lights are Tamouh’s most famous projects in Abu Dhabi.
