Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the emirate of the same name. With a population of more than 1.5 million people, it is the country’s second most populous city after Dubai. Abu Dhabi is not as popular with property buyers as Dubai. However, demand for real estate in the capital is growing with every passing year. Many people opt for Abu Dhabi as it is quieter and attracts less tourists and is perfect for anyone keen to live life at a more leisured pace. Accordingly, there has also been an increase in the housing available in Abu Dhabi. Property developers often introduce new project complexes containing flats, townhouses and villas. Here we tell you about new records on the housing market in the capital of the UAE and the most interesting developments under construction on sale at present.
New Records in the Capital of the UAE
The Abu Dhabi real estate market is rapidly growing and breaking records. In the first eight months of 2023, the number of residential real estate transactions increased by 96.9% compared to the same period in the previous year. At the same time, the number of transactions with properties under construction increased by 122%.
From January to August 2023 alone, real estate worth just under AED 5.7 billion (USD 1.5 billion) was sold in the emirate, an increase of 171% on the same period in 2022.
New builds on Saadiyat Island are the most popular, with 221 transactions worth in total over AED 1.6 billion (USD 435.6 million) concluded in 2023. The runner-up is Rahman Island with 145 transactions concluded for a total of AED 1.4 billion (USD 381.2 million). Zayed City was the third most popular area, with 248 transactions concluded for a total of AED 506 million (USD 138 million).
Aldar Properties, Bloom District Properties, Reem Hills and Rahman Development top the list of the most successful property developers in Abu Dhabi in 2023.
Residential real estate in the capital consists of many top-quality projects. We present the most interesting projects here.
The Most Interesting New Buildings in Abu Dhabi
Gardenia Bay
Scheduled completion date: Q2 2027
Prices start at USD 220,000
Gardenia Bay (Housearch)
Gardenia Bay is a luxury residential complex located on the man-made Yas Island. It is being built on the banks of a canal near the coast of the Persian Gulf. Aldar Properties is the property developer.
The artificial island was also a project carried out by Aldar Properties. It is located 24 km east of the centre of Abu Dhabi near the airport. The complex has good transport links: it takes no more than 15 minutes to reach Al Raha Beach and Abu Dhabi International Airport and less than half an hour to reach the city centre.
The project stands out due to the beautiful modern architecture. The facade of the buildings is composed of light beige panels and almost 360-degree glazing. All the flats have a glass balcony offering a beautiful view of the canal and the landscaped green area of the district.
Gardenia Bay is a large-scale project. The first phase went on sale recently and consists of four buildings: Iris, Ivy, Rosa, and Orchid, six and seven floors high. There are a total of 210 studios and flats with one to three bedrooms. The floor area starts at 44 square metres, with the largest flats 180 square metres in size. Finishing is available in two different colour palettes: dark or light. The property developer notes that the flats on the island located far from the noisy city centre are perfect for seasonal holidays or letting.
Saadiyat Lagoons
Scheduled completion date: Q2 2026
Prices start at USD 1.6 million
Saadiyat Lagoons (Housearch)
The luxury complex Saadiyat Lagoons is located on Saadiyat Island. It only takes five minutes to reach the E12 highway connecting Saadiyat Lagoons with the centre of Abu Dhabi, Yas Island and other areas of the city. Aldar Properties is the property developer.
The complex features 207 fully-furnished and equipped luxury villas with four to six bedrooms. The two-story villas range in size from 464.7 to 591 square metres. Each house has staff rooms, recreation areas, a balcony, a family living room and dining room, a lift and a swimming pool. Each villa will have parking spaces and electric vehicle chargers. The property developer offers buyers several interior design options.
The complex is located on the eastern side of Saadiyat Island surrounded by mangrove forests. The community area will have walking paths, play areas for children, an outdoor gym, a skatepark, basketball courts, bicycle lanes and a mosque. Residents of Saadiyat Lagoons will have access to the 1-km long private Soul Beach, as well as the community beaches of the island.
Fay Alreeman II
Scheduled completion date: Q4 2026
Prices start at USD 790,000
Fay Alreeman II (Housearch)
Fay Alreeman II developed by Aldar Properties is located in one of the new prestigious and rapidly developing areas of Abu Dhabi, Al Shamkha. The district is growing rapidly as it is developed. In coming years entertainment centres, golf courses and luxury stores will appear on its territory.
The project offers luxury villas with three to six bedrooms, ranging in size from 304–494 square metres. One distinctive feature of project is the individual design of each type of villa. The three bedroom houses are Mediterranean in style, while the four and five bedroom houses come in two styles: Modern Arabic and Mediterranean. The six bedroom villas come in three styles: Modern, Mediterranean and Modern Arabic.
Each villa has a private pool, a staff room with a bathroom, a garage, a driver’s room, and much more besides.
The main highways of Abu Dhabi are in the immediate vicinity of the complex ensuring rapid access to any area in the city. The area has very good infrastructure with prestigious health care institutions, kindergartens and schools and the Al Shamkha and Makani shopping centres. You can reach Yas Island, Abu Dhabi's entertainment hub, in less than half an hour.
The Sustainable City Yas Island
Scheduled completion date: Q4 2025
Prices start at USD 243,000
The Sustainable City Yas Island (Housearch)
The Sustainable City Yas Island is an eco-friendly luxury project in Abu Dhabi from Aldar Properties and Diamond Developers Malta.
The project includes one to three bedroom flats, as well as three and four bedroom townhouses. The first phase involves the construction of 512 real estate units for sale. The flats range in size from 66 to 144 square metres, and the townhouses from 271 to 312 square metres. Future owners can choose from two finishing colour palettes – light or dark.
The Sustainable City Yas Island uses sustainable technologies. All living spaces will be powered by renewable energy sources, while all wastewater will be treated and reused for irrigation. The project also includes other innovations, such as car-free clusters and indoor vertical farms.
The complex offers well-developed infrastructure, including a mosque, an equestrian centre, walking areas, a central green area, a dog park, as well as various shopping areas. For sports fans, the developer will create bicycle lanes and jogging tracks, a skate park, a basketball court and a gym. The grounds will also feature artificial lakes.
Grove Heart
Scheduled completion date: Q2 2025
Prices start at USD 680,000
Grove Heart (Housearch)
Grove Heart from Aldar Properties on Saadiyat Island is one of the largest new residential developments in Abu Dhabi.
Built in phases, the complex will consist of 3,706 flats. The property developer will build another 60,000 square metres of retail and entertainment space. The plan also includes the opening of hotels and co-working spaces.
The first phase of Saadiyat Grove consists of five 7 or 8 floor buildings, featuring studios and one and two bedroom flats. Each flat has spacious balconies or terraces, as well as panoramic windows. Some units have views of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Museum. The flats are being sold on a turnkey basis and are fully furnished.
The infrastructure of the complex includes retail outlets, a gym, a playground for children, a public garden and jogging tracks.
Louvre Abu-Dhabi
Scheduled completion date: Q1 2025
Prices start at USD 353,000
Louvre Residences Abu-Dhabi (Housearch)
The Louvre Abu-Dhabi residential complex is being built close to the art museum of the same name. The location of the luxurious building is very convenient: it will take about 15 minutes to get to the centre of the capital of the Emirates, while Yas Island, the entertainment hub of Abu Dhabi, is just 20 minutes away.
The development will feature 186 elegant residences, including studios, one to three bedroom flats and five bedroom penthouses. Each flat has its own spacious balcony or terrace overlooking the museum and city streets.
The planned infrastructure of the complex includes a spa centre, a swimming pool, playgrounds for children, an outdoor gym and a fitness facility. The flats will be equipped with smart home systems. A concierge will be able to help residents with everyday problems at any moment.
Reeman Living
Scheduled completion date: Q1 2026
Prices start at USD 100,000
Reeman Living (Housearch)
Reeman Living is an elite residential complex in the neighbourhood of Al Shamkha in Abu Dhabi from Aldar Properties. This is already the second complex in the successful Living series.
The first phase will consist of five mid-rise buildings with 630 residential units, including studios and one to three bedroom flats, ranging in size from 26 to 106 square metres. Buyers of any of the residences will be able to choose from two types of interior decoration colour palettes: light and dark. In both options, the walls in the rooms are painted light beige, while the floors have beige tiles. Some of the two and three bedroom flats have one or two balconies and a storage room.
The project will embody the sustainable development concept, offering energy savings. Highly efficient water and electricity supply systems will be installed and modern waste processing technologies will be used.
The project envisages extensive shopping and leisure infrastructure, including shops, a kindergarten and a school, a gym, an indoor play area for children, bicycle lanes and jogging tracks and a mosque.
