The waterfront district will extend across eight kilometres of waterfront, including 5.6 kilometres of beaches, and is designed to accommodate more than 58,000 residents through a mix of homes, hotels, schools, cultural facilities, parks and commercial areas.
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, visited the project site to review its masterplan, infrastructure and community amenities. He directed that the development be renamed from Saadiyat Marina District to Marsa Al Saadiyat, reflecting the UAE’s maritime heritage.
The development’s centrepiece will be Abu Dhabi’s largest marina, with capacity for up to 350 sailing boats and luxury yachts. Aldar has been appointed as the project’s master developer, responsible for its overall design and primary infrastructure.
Sales of the first homes will begin in the second half of 2026, with site enabling and infrastructure works scheduled to start in the third quarter.
“Marsa Al Saadiyat marks 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,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Aldar.
The residential mix will include private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments and branded residences. A hillside community of standalone villas rising 22.5 metres will be positioned to make use of the surrounding landscape.
Community Infrastructure and Amenities
A landscaped central park will extend towards the waterfront and connect with a network of linear green spaces. The community will feature children’s play areas, clubhouses with outdoor swimming pools, sports courts, healthcare facilities and three schools.
The masterplan includes approximately 140 kilometres of interconnected walking paths and a 46-kilometre cycling track. Its layout will place everyday services within walking, cycling or short driving distance of homes.
A one-kilometre promenade will form the development’s main retail and dining district. Marsa Al Saadiyat will also contain a yacht club and two luxury hotels, creating a commercial and leisure centre around the marina.
Cultural and Performing Arts Hub
A theatre district will be anchored by Dar al Funoon, a performing arts venue with capacity for more than 6,000 guests. It is planned to host musicals, live productions and international performances throughout the year.
A scenic walkway will connect Marsa Al Saadiyat directly with the Saadiyat Cultural District, giving residents access to Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum, Zayed National Museum and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is also planned for the island.
Saadiyat Island’s wider education network includes NYU Abu Dhabi, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, American Community School of Abu Dhabi and Harrow International School Abu Dhabi.
Transport and Connectivity
Marsa Al Saadiyat will connect with Umm Yifeenah Island and Reem Island through a new network of roads and tunnels designed to cut travel time between the development and central Abu Dhabi.
The district will feature an underground station for Etihad Rail’s high-speed passenger service, strengthening links between Abu Dhabi and the other emirates. A new bridge will provide a further connection between Marsa Al Saadiyat and another island being developed off Saadiyat Island’s coast.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar, said the masterplan would add scale and character to Saadiyat Island, which has developed into one of Abu Dhabi’s main cultural and lifestyle districts.
Sheikh Khaled emphasized that the project reflected the UAE leadership’s commitment to developing integrated infrastructure that meets future needs and strengthens the country’s competitiveness as a place to live, supporting the UAE’s development model by bringing together quality of life, economic competitiveness and sustainability.
The Dh100 billion development adds to Abu Dhabi’s record real estate momentum in 2026, as the emirate continues to expand its waterfront portfolio alongside major projects on Yas Island and other strategic locations across the capital.
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