Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed witnesses the launch of the “Saadiyat Marsa” project, worth 100 billion dirhams

His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, witnessed the launch of the “Marsa Saadiyat” project, with a total development value of 100 billion dirhams. The project extends over an area of ​​6.4 million square meters, and “Aldar” assumes the role of the main developer of the project, as its responsibility includes the general design of the destination and the implementation of its main infrastructure.

His Highness had directed the renaming of the project from “Saadiyat Marina Area” to “Saadiyat Marina”, as the project includes the largest marina in Abu Dhabi, with a capacity of up to 350 berths for sailboats and luxury yachts, in a step that strengthens the connection to the national maritime heritage and contributes to preserving the emirate’s maritime identity through projects that combine modernity and heritage and consolidates the emirate’s position as a leading destination in leisure tourism.

His Highness visited the project launch site at Marsa Saadiyat to view the master plan, where he inspected the details of the general design, infrastructure, and community and recreational facilities, including public parks, marinas for boats and yachts, a promenade overlooking the sea, walking and cycling paths, and other services and facilities that were designed according to the highest standards and specifications.

His Highness stressed that this project reflects the keenness of the wise leadership to invest in developing an integrated infrastructure that keeps pace with the aspirations of the future, and enhances the global competitiveness of the UAE as a leading destination in providing a community environment that meets the highest quality standards and consolidates its position as an exceptional development model that combines quality of life, economic competitiveness and sustainability for present and future generations.

Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Aldar, said on this occasion that Saadiyat Marina represents the beginning of the final phase of the master plan for Saadiyat Island, and thus begins a chapter that is considered the most ambitious in the development process of the island.

He added that Abu Dhabi continues to consolidate its position among the destinations most capable of attracting long-term capital, with its long-term vision, continuous economic activity and quality of life that continues to attract elite investors and residents from around the world, noting that the “Saadiyat Marsa” project directly embodies this confidence, as it is a global development project with exceptional standards, designed with ambition that reflects Abu Dhabi’s position on the international arena.

For his part, Talal Al Dhiyebi, CEO of Aldar Group, said that “Saadiyat Marsa” represents a prominent project for Abu Dhabi, which enhances the emirate’s presence as an influential destination in the global luxury sector, adding that with a development value of 100 billion dirhams, the master plan will add a remarkable size and character to the island, which already enjoys a high position among the most prominent cultural and living destinations in the world.

Marsa Saadiyat embodies Aldar’s vision for Saadiyat Island, as the master plan was designed to include a comprehensive range of facilities that encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles in harmony with the nature of the island and its exceptional quality of life.

The Saadiyat Marina project extends over a total development area of ​​640 hectares (equivalent to about 900 football fields) overlooking an 8-kilometre-long waterfront, including 5.6 kilometers of natural beaches, about 140 kilometers of interconnected walking paths, and a 46-kilometre bicycle path.

The design takes into account the proximity of all daily amenities to the residents of Saadiyat Marina, as it includes a network of parks, including a landscaped central park extending to the waterfront and areas designated for children. It also provides community clubs that include outdoor swimming pools and sports fields, in addition to high-end health care facilities, and three schools close to all residential units.

The destination will become home to more than 58,000 people within private palaces, luxury villas, apartments overlooking the waterfront, and residential units bearing international brands. It will also include a complex on hills with a height of 22.5 metres, providing independent villas overlooking the natural landscape.

A nature walkway connects Saadiyat Marsa directly to the Saadiyat Cultural District, bringing the island’s world-class museums, dining options and five-star hospitality facilities within easy reach.

The Saadiyat Marina area also includes a one-kilometre-long promenade that includes shops, restaurants, a yacht club and two luxury hotels. The destination includes a theater district that includes the “Dar Al Funun Abu Dhabi”, which, when it opens in 2030, will have a capacity of more than 6,000 seats, to host the finest productions, theatrical performances and international artistic events throughout the year.

“Saadiyat Marsa” represents a prominent addition to Saadiyat Island, which includes one of the 20 best beaches in the world and protected natural habitats, in addition to hosting the largest concentration of cultural institutions, most notably the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, Team Lab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, and the Guggenheim Museum Abu Dhabi, which will be opened soon.

Family life on the island is complemented by an educational system that keeps pace with the requirements of all levels of education from nursery to university, through well-known international educational institutions, such as New York University Abu Dhabi, Berkeley Abu Dhabi, Cranleigh School Abu Dhabi, the American Community School in Abu Dhabi, and Harrow International School – Abu Dhabi.

The project will be linked to Umm Yafina Island and Al Reem Island through a new integrated network of roads and tunnels, which will enhance the efficiency of the infrastructure and reduce the time of arrival to the heart of Abu Dhabi.

The project will also include an underground station for Etihad high-speed trains, which will support connectivity between Abu Dhabi and the various emirates of the country, enhance economic and social integration, and keep pace with the country’s goals in developing an advanced and sustainable national transportation system.

The project will be connected by a modern bridge linking it to a new island developed by Aldar off the coast of Saadiyat, in a step that expands the scope of the destination and consolidates its urban integration across the emirate.

Sales of the first residential units in Marsa Saadiyat will begin during the second half of 2026, with work on preparing the project site and infrastructure starting during the third quarter of this year, in a step that supports sustainable urban growth and enhances the emirate’s attractiveness for major investments in the real estate sector.