The Project Overview
The complete story of Abu Dhabi's AED 100 billion waterfront destination — the July 2026 launch, the renaming, the scale, the first on-sale release and the delivery timeline.
The Launch
Launched by the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, officially witnessed the launch of Marsa Al Saadiyat on 22 July 2026 — reviewing its masterplan, infrastructure, public parks, marinas, waterfront promenade, walking paths and cycling tracks on site.
During the visit, His Highness directed that the development be renamed from Saadiyat Marina District to Marsa Al Saadiyat — a name that honours the UAE's maritime heritage and the project's centrepiece: the largest marina in Abu Dhabi, with capacity for up to 350 sailing boats and luxury yachts.
The project, His Highness noted, reflects the UAE leadership's commitment to integrated infrastructure that meets future needs — bringing together quality of life, economic competitiveness and sustainability for present and future generations.
At a Glance
Key Project Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project name | Marsa Al Saadiyat (formerly Saadiyat Marina District) |
| Launch date | 22 July 2026 — witnessed by HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| Total development value | AED 100 billion (≈ USD 27.2 billion); Aldar to develop ≈ AED 60 billion |
| Total area | 6.4 million square metres |
| Waterfront | 8 kilometres |
| Natural beaches | 5.6 kilometres |
| Marina | Abu Dhabi's largest marina — up to 350 yachts & boats |
| Walkways | ≈140 km of interconnected pedestrian paths |
| Cycling | 46 km dedicated cycling track |
| Rail | Underground Etihad Rail high-speed passenger station |
| Residents | More than 58,000 |
| Master developer | Aldar Properties PJSC |
| First release | Talay & Talay Beach — on sale from 23 September 2026, from AED 13.5M |
| Infrastructure works | Site enabling works from Q3 2026 — underway |
| First handovers | Q4 2029 (Talay) · Q4 2030 (Talay Beach) |
The Final Phase
Completing the Saadiyat Island Masterplan
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Aldar, described the project as “the activation of the final phase of the Saadiyat Island masterplan, and with it, the beginning of the most ambitious chapter yet in the island's evolution.”
“Abu Dhabi today stands among the world's most compelling destinations for long-term capital… Marsa Al Saadiyat is a direct expression of that confidence: a development of genuine global scale, conceived with an ambition that reflects Abu Dhabi's place on the world stage.”
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group CEO of Aldar, added that the masterplan will bring new scale and character to an island that has become one of Abu Dhabi's defining cultural and lifestyle districts — a promise already being tested and proven by the Talay launch, which together with Yas Riva Reserve generated more than AED 5 billion in sales within days of release.
Explore the master planDelivery Timeline
Key Milestones for Buyers & Investors
- 22 July 2026 · Done
Official Launch
Marsa Al Saadiyat unveiled by HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan with AED 100 billion total development value; Aldar appointed master developer.
- Q3 2026 · Underway
Site Enabling & Infrastructure
Site enabling and primary infrastructure works commence on Saadiyat Island's final waterfront phase, led by Aldar.
- 17–25 September 2026 · Done
Talay Launch — AED 5B+ Sales
Talay announced 17 September; Priority Pass sales opened 23 September, public release 25 September. Aldar reported AED 5 billion+ in combined sales with Yas Riva Reserve — 54% to first-time Aldar buyers.
- Late 2026 → 2027 · Expected
Further Residential Releases
Waterfront apartments, branded residences, mansions and the hillside villa community are expected to follow Talay in subsequent launch phases.
- Q4 2029 / Q4 2030 · Planned
First Handovers
Talay villas hand over from Q4 2029, Talay Beach from Q4 2030 — as the marina, promenade and district infrastructure take shape around them.
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