A launch witnessed by the Crown Prince
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, today witnessed the launch of Marsa Al Saadiyat — a waterfront destination with a total development value of AED 100 billion (≈ USD 27.2 billion), spanning 6.4 million square metres of Saadiyat Island.
During the visit, His Highness reviewed the masterplan, infrastructure, public parks, marinas, waterfront promenade, walking paths and cycling tracks — and directed that the development be renamed from the Saadiyat Marina District to Marsa Al Saadiyat, a name honouring the UAE's maritime heritage and the harbour at the project's heart.
What the destination will include
- Abu Dhabi's largest marina — capacity for up to 350 yachts and sailing boats — with a yacht club
- 5.6 km of natural beaches along an 8 km waterfront
- Private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments and branded residences for 58,000+ residents
- A one-kilometre retail and dining promenade and two luxury hotels
- ≈140 km of walkways and a 46 km cycling network, plus an underground Etihad Rail high-speed station
- Dar Al Funoon, a 6,000+ seat performing arts landmark designed by Frank Gehry, opening 2030
Aldar as master developer
Aldar Properties — Abu Dhabi's largest listed developer — takes the master developer role, delivering the overall masterplan and primary infrastructure. Site enabling works are scheduled from Q3 2026, with the first home sales to follow in the second half of the year.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Aldar, called the project “the activation of the final phase of the Saadiyat Island masterplan — the beginning of the most ambitious chapter yet in the island's evolution.”
Why it matters: this is the final large waterfront land release on Abu Dhabi's most prestigious island — beside the Louvre, the Zayed National Museum and a AED 400 million record-breaking mansion market. Read the full project overview.
Sources
- Abu Dhabi Media Office — official launch announcement, 22 July 2026
- Aldar Properties — launch materials, July 2026
- Gulf News — “New Dh100 billion Marsa Al Saadiyat development launched in Abu Dhabi”
Researched and maintained by Bramwell and Partners Real Estate. Last verified 14 October 2026. Pricing, availability and dates are set by Aldar Properties and may change; official sales documentation prevails.