Today's Edition
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi’s real estate ambitions just got a Dh40 billion wellness upgrade, with Fahid Island — Aldar’s newest development — indicating that intent, rather than scale alone, has become a defining feature of the emirate’s urban planning strategy.
Positioned between Yas Island and Saadiyat, the 2.7 million square metre masterplan blends residential, recreational, and natural spaces, creating a mixed-use community where every resident lives within a five-minute walk of the sea and no more than 250 metres from green space.
The island, marketed as Abu Dhabi’s first wellness-focused destination, includes more than 6,000 homes, a top-tier international school, retail and hospitality offerings, and 30% of the land reserved for green areas.
“Wellness is a mega trend, and for Aldar, that’s not a new thing. Whether it's spa and hospitality, food and nutrition, sleep and breathing - it’s everywhere,” Jonathan Emery, CEO of Aldar Development, said in an interview with Aletihad on Monday.
“The challenge for Aldar is, how do we bring that into a physical real estate solution? How do you actually make it real? Rather than just an experience, we have to build the stage for it, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Designing for Wellbeing, Rooted in Community
Fahid Island’s masterplan builds on what Aldar has learned from years of work on Yas and Saadiyat. But Emery is quick to point out that this isn’t a cut-and-paste version of previous successes.
Instead, he said, the project aims to respond to the new expectations of both local and international buyers, many of whom are looking for something different post-pandemic - more nature, less distance, and a quieter, more intentional way of living.
As a result, Fahid Island is being designed as a fully walkable and connected environment, with 15km of shaded pedestrian routes and bridges connecting both sides of the island to limit car use. It will also feature a 10km landscaped Berm Park, complete with cycling routes and running trails, and a 2km promenade.
“We’ve learned how to optimise the natural benefits of the island,” Emery said. “How to work with the mangroves, even with the wind, the sea, and the sun. Just understanding what those things mean to people.”
The emphasis on proximity, ecology and liveability also ties into the UAE’s current national theme, the Year of Community. In the case of Fahid Island, that has meant prioritising walkability, shared public areas and amenities that bring residents into contact with one another.
Emery described this approach as rooted in the UAE’s sense of “generosity”, not in scale, but in how space is shared.
“It’s about how we allocate space and how we create opportunities for people to meet. That’s very much in line with the values of the UAE, and the kind of community we’re trying to build.”
Backed by Strong Funding and Market Momentum
The first phase of Fahid Island, which includes the school and residential buildings, is expected to be completed by 2029. Later phases will be delivered over the following three years.
The developer acquired the land in early 2023 for Dh2.5 billion, initially estimating the site’s gross development value at Dh26 billion, which has since grown to surpass Dh40 billion.
According to Aldar, the project is already fully funded through a mix of corporate financing, bonds, sukuk, and projected sales. Sales are expected to begin shortly after the Eid Al-Adha, with one-bedroom units starting at Dh3.5 million.
The company is forecasting total development sales of between Dh36 billion and Dh39 billion in 2025, up from Dh33.6 billion last year, and Fahid Island is likely to play a substantial role in meeting those targets.
Its launch comes amid a broader upswing in Abu Dhabi’s real estate market, where demand for high-end, waterfront communities surged by 15% in 2024, according to a recent report by MPM Properties. Investor confidence received an added boost last month with the announcement of a Disney theme park on nearby Yas Island.
Emery revealed that interest in Fahid Island has come from both international and local buyers, though the domestic market has shown particular strength. He attributes this resilience to a mix of ambition, talent, and the UAE’s solutions-oriented approach.
“The talent that now exists in the UAE is sort of unprecedented - it’s an incredible place to be,” he said. “It’s an amazing talent pool that can help it achieve its ambition.”
“That, combined with a focus on quality and problem-solving, is what’s driving the next phase of development.”
