Abu Dhabi Unveils Two Major Waterfront Villa Communities: Lulu Island and Marsa Al Saadiyat
Abu Dhabi's real estate map is expanding, with two major waterfront projects now moving forward: a revived Lulu Island off the Corniche under developer Modon, and the newly launched Marsa Al Saadiyat, Aldar's AED 100 billion masterplan completing Saadiyat Island. Here's what's confirmed so far about each.
Lulu Island: A Corniche-Adjacent Island Gets a Branded Villa Development
Lulu Island has sat largely undeveloped since its original masterplan stalled after the 2008 financial crisis, despite being just a few hundred metres off Abu Dhabi's Corniche. That's now changing, with developer Modon moving the project forward and a local contractor recently awarded the early enabling-works package.
The island spans roughly 469 hectares and was originally planned around a mix of villas, townhouses and apartments alongside resort and leisure facilities. Its proximity to the Corniche and the Financial District, combined with genuine land scarcity this close to the city centre, has kept it on investors' radar for years despite the slow pace of development.
No official details have been released yet on the residential mix, unit types, pricing or sales timeline for this next phase. As enabling works get underway, more specifics are expected to follow.
Marsa Al Saadiyat: The Final Phase of the Saadiyat Masterplan
Marsa Al Saadiyat previously known as Saadiyat Marina District was officially launched on 22 July 2026 by Aldar, in the presence of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. It's being described as the largest single residential launch Saadiyat Island has seen.
The masterplan spans 6.4 million square metres and 8km of waterfront, including 5.6km of beach, and will house Abu Dhabi's largest marina with capacity for 350 yachts. It's designed to accommodate more than 58,000 residents across private mansions, luxury villas, waterfront apartments, branded residences, and a hillside enclave of standalone villas.
Beyond the homes, the plan includes a landscaped central park, community clubhouses and pools, three schools, healthcare facilities, and a one-kilometre promenade with retail, dining, a yacht club and two luxury hotels. A theatre district anchored by the new Dar Al Funoon performing arts venue ties into the existing Saadiyat Cultural District, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. An underground Etihad Rail station is also part of the plan, intended to eventually connect directly to Dubai.
Infrastructure works are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with sales of the first homes expected to open in the second half of the year ahead of broader public marketing.
What Buyers Should Know
Neither project has released unit-level pricing, floor plans or full inventory yet, and operators for Marsa Al Saadiyat's schools, healthcare facilities and hotels haven't been confirmed either. As both move from masterplan to sales phase, more specifics on pricing, payment plans and villa typologies are expected in the coming months.
This article will be updated as Aldar and Modon release further details on pricing, floor plans and sales timelines for both developments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Marsa Al Saadiyat is a AED 100 billion waterfront masterplan by Aldar on Saadiyat Island, launched on 22 July 2026. It spans 6.4 million sqm and includes villas, mansions, apartments, a marina, schools, hotels and a theatre district.
Infrastructure works begin in Q3 2026, with sales of the first homes expected to open in the second half of 2026.
Lulu Island is being developed by Modon. A local contractor was recently awarded the early enabling-works package, with the residential offering still to be officially detailed.
Lulu Island sits just off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, close to the Financial District.
No. Unit-level pricing, floor plans and full inventory haven’t been released yet for Lulu Island or Marsa Al Saadiyat.
The masterplan is designed to accommodate more than 58,000 residents.
