Off-Plan Property on Saadiyat Island: Luxury Guide

What’s in this guide:

Why buyers choose Saadiyat Island

Current off-plan projects on Saadiyat Island

Which Saadiyat Island project suits which buyer?

How the different parts of Saadiyat compare

What daily life on Saadiyat Island feels like

What ADREC data says about Saadiyat prices and demand

How current payment plans compare

What Marsa Al Saadiyat changes

Saadiyat Island brings together a natural white-sand coastline, five-star resorts, some of the UAE’s most important cultural institutions and homes designed for an international luxury market. It feels peaceful, and downtown Abu Dhabi is still only a short drive across Sheikh Khalifa Bridge.

New homes currently start from AED 2 million at Vida Residences, AED 2.9 million at Sensi and AED 3.7 million at The Row. Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons occupy the top end of the market. The island itself now feels much more complete: Louvre Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum are open, while Mamsha has become a popular beachfront destination.

Marsa Al Saadiyat will add another major residential district. Announced on 22 July 2026, the AED 100 billion development is planned for more than 58,000 residents, with first home sales due in the second half of 2026. This guide compares the homes available now, the island’s different districts and what the expansion will add.

For ownership rules, fees and the full buying process across the emirate, use our Off-Plan Property in Abu Dhabi: Complete Guide. Here, the focus stays on Saadiyat itself.

Saadiyat Island off-plan property at a glance

Starting price: From AED 2 million for the projects covered here

Home types: Furnished apartments, family apartments, townhouses, penthouses, sky villas and beachfront villas

Expected handovers: October 2027 to January 2030 for projects with published dates

Current developers: Aldar, Reportage Properties and Al Ain Holding

Lifestyle anchors: Museums, white-sand beaches, Mamsha, golf, resorts, schools and NYU Abu Dhabi

Q1 2026 activity: AED 8.8 billion of Saadiyat Island transactions recorded by ADREC

Next major release: First homes at Marsa Al Saadiyat are planned for the second half of 2026

Availability checked 23 July 2026: Prices, released units, payment schedules and completion dates can change. Ask for the live unit list, floor plan, total price, payment calendar and project registration details before paying a reservation amount.

Why buyers choose Saadiyat Island

The sea is clear, the beaches are broad and large stretches of the coast remain low-rise. Saadiyat covers about 27 square kilometres, with protected Hawksbill turtle nesting areas alongside resorts, private communities, public beaches and golf.

Culture is part of daily life. You can visit Louvre Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and teamLab Phenomena without leaving the district. The Abrahamic Family House, Manarat Al Saadiyat and Berklee Abu Dhabi add exhibitions, performances and community events throughout the year. Homes at The Row, Mandarin Oriental and Baccarat have been planned around this setting, while Mamsha combines apartments, restaurants and Soul Beach along the promenade.

International buyers already play a large part in the market. ADREC recorded about AED 13.7 billion in Saadiyat residential sales during 2025, more than four times the 2022 value, and foreign direct investment represented 25% of sales. Prices still vary sharply by property: a museum view, direct beach position, branded operator or private lift can add millions of dirhams. Compare the exact view, usable space, service charge and similar completed homes before choosing.

Current off-plan projects on Saadiyat Island

These are the main projects where you can currently enquire about a new home with a future completion date. Start with your budget and preferred district, then compare the units offered.

Project and expected handover	Home types, price and plan	Consider it if…
Vida Residences Saadiyat Island - Oct 2027	Furnished 1-3 bed apartments; from AED 2m; 10/40/50; limited availability	You want the lowest guide entry, furniture included and hospitality services near Saadiyat Marina
Sensi - Jun 2029	2-3 bed apartments and 4-bed townhouses; from AED 2.9m; 10/20/70	You need a family layout near NYU Abu Dhabi and prefer lighter payments during construction
The Row Saadiyat - Jan 2030	1-3 bed apartments; from AED 3.7m; 5/60/35	You want a walkable Cultural District address with retail, wellbeing and co-working
Mandarin Oriental The Residences - Sep 2028	1-5 bed apartments and penthouses; from AED 6.2m; 10/55/35	You value a recognised operator, extensive service and a Zayed National Museum outlook
Four Seasons Private Residences - Jul 2029	2-7 bed suites, penthouses and villas; from AED 20.8m; 5/45/50	You want a gated beachfront home with Four Seasons services and strong privacy
Baccarat Residences Saadiyat	77 homes: 2-3 bed residences, 4-bed sky villas and 2 penthouses; price and terms by enquiry	You want a very limited branded home in the Cultural District

A starting price usually applies to a particular unit type, release or orientation. Ask for the full price list so you can compare homes on the same basis.

Baccarat is the smallest collection here, with 77 homes across two buildings designed by Sou Fujimoto Architects. Amenities include a private spa, infinity pool, screening room, dining spaces, children’s club, concierge and valet. Pricing, payment terms and completion are available by enquiry.

What about Mamsha, The Arthouse, Nobu and older Saadiyat launches?

Homes also come to market in Mamsha Gardens, Mamsha Palm, The Arthouse, Nobu Residences, Louvre Residences, The Source, Ethir and Saadiyat Lagoons. These may be resales, assignments or units returned to the developer. Check how much has been paid, the remaining instalments, transfer rules and latest handover status before comparing the full cost with a new developer unit.

Which Saadiyat Island project suits which buyer?

For a first purchase on Saadiyat

Vida Residences has the lowest guide price here and comes furnished, which suits professionals, couples and buyers who want a home that is easier to prepare for rent. Availability is limited, so review the remaining floors, views, furniture specification and annual service cost. Sensi costs more but gives you larger apartments and four-bedroom townhouses near NYU Abu Dhabi, with 70% of the price due at handover.

For culture on your doorstep

The Row puts the museums, restaurants and public spaces of the Cultural District within easy reach, with wellness, co-working, cafes and shops across seven mid-rise buildings. Mandarin Oriental adds hotel-style management, larger homes and extensive resident services. Baccarat is the smallest collection, with 77 homes aimed at buyers who value privacy, generous floor plans and the brand’s service.

For families who want more space

Sensi’s four-bedroom townhouses are the lowest-priced family houses in this comparison. The Row suits families who prefer an apartment near museums and landscaped public space, while Mandarin Oriental adds larger plans, a children’s club and day-to-day service. Before choosing a future townhouse or villa, drive through Saadiyat Lagoons, Hidd Al Saadiyat, Jawaher and Saadiyat Beach Villas to compare gardens, streets, beach access and school journeys.

For a beachfront trophy home

Four Seasons Private Residences is the main new-build beachfront option currently available, with direct beach access, private pools, landscaped gardens, sport, wellness facilities and Four Seasons service. Prices start from AED 20.8 million. Review the plot position and branded residence agreement carefully, including annual charges, separately billed services, rental restrictions and the operator’s long-term role.

Our Aldar off-plan profile gives wider context on the developer behind The Row, Mandarin Oriental, Baccarat and much of the island’s completed residential history.

How the different parts of Saadiyat compare

Saadiyat is large enough for each district to feel distinct. A short drive can take you from a museum promenade to a quiet villa street or a resort beach.

Cultural District, Saadiyat Grove and Mamsha

This is the easiest part of Saadiyat to enjoy on foot. The museums, Abrahamic Family House, Mamsha promenade, Soul Beach and restaurants sit close together, with Saadiyat Grove adding more shops and leisure. The Row, Mandarin Oriental and Baccarat are within the district. Homes facing the sea, museum architecture or future fountains can command a heavy premium, so confirm the view and any undeveloped plot in front of it.

Saadiyat Marina and the university side

Vida and Sensi sit closer to NYU Abu Dhabi and the marina district, where prices start lower than in the Cultural District and beach communities. The area attracts professionals and families looking for modern apartments or townhouses. Marsa Al Saadiyat will bring new roads, shops and public spaces, along with several years of nearby construction.

Beach, golf and resort district

The eastern coast feels closest to a private resort. Park Hyatt, St Regis, Jumeirah, Rixos and Saadiyat Rotana line the beach, with Saadiyat Beach Club, the golf course and Four Seasons Private Residences nearby. Confirm whether a home includes a private residents’ beach, hotel or club access, or only a nearby public beach, as each arrangement carries a different annual cost.

Lagoons and villa neighbourhoods

Saadiyat Lagoons and the established villa communities suit households that value gardens, quiet streets and larger homes. Compare the plot as closely as the floor plan: road exposure, infrastructure, afternoon sun, landscaping and the walk to community facilities can make two identical houses feel very different.

What daily life on Saadiyat Island feels like

Life on Saadiyat tends to be quiet and unhurried. A weekend can begin on Mamsha Beach, move through a museum or family workshop and finish at a restaurant on the promenade. Golf, resort brunches and beach clubs are also close at hand.

A couple and family walking beside Mamsha Beach on Saadiyat Island, with shaded restaurant terraces, low-rise luxury homes and turquoise water.

The island has restaurants, cafes, nurseries, pharmacies and a SEHA community clinic that opens seven days a week. Families also have Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, beaches, pools, museum programmes and sport nearby, while NYU Abu Dhabi and Berklee serve older students. Marsa Al Saadiyat plans three more schools. For a larger weekly shop or a wider choice of stores, many residents drive to Reem Island, Al Maryah Island or central Abu Dhabi.

A car remains the practical choice for school runs and journeys between the residential districts. Saadiyat is about 20 minutes from the Corniche and roughly 20 minutes from Yas Island in normal traffic, while buses and taxis serve parts of the island. Test your route to school, work and groceries at the hours you will use it.

Hawksbill turtles nest along the beach, and dolphins and other marine life can appear offshore. Lighting, dunes and access routes may be controlled around sensitive areas, which can affect how some waterfront plots are used.

What ADREC data says about Saadiyat prices and demand

Saadiyat recorded AED 8.8 billion of real estate transactions in the first quarter of 2026, according to ADREC. That total includes sales, resales and mortgages across the island, making Saadiyat one of Abu Dhabi’s busiest property districts during the emirate’s record quarter.

Registered sales in 2025 averaged AED 32,000 per square metre for apartments, equal to approximately AED 2,973 per square foot. Villas and townhouses averaged AED 21,000 per square metre, or about AED 1,951 per square foot.

2025 Saadiyat segment	ADREC mean per sqm	Approximate mean per sq ft
Apartments	AED 32,000	AED 2,973
Villas and townhouses	AED 21,000	AED 1,951

Project prices varied widely. The Row and The Arthouse registered around AED 42,000 per square metre in 2025, close to AED 3,902 per square foot. Mamsha Al Saadiyat ranged around AED 47,000-52,000 per square metre, while Four Seasons reached an average of AED 93,000 per square metre in recorded sales. Saadiyat Lagoons sat far lower at AED 17,000 per square metre.

One island-wide average cannot value every home here. A villa in the Lagoons, an apartment facing Zayed National Museum and a managed Four Seasons beachfront residence belong to different markets even though they share the Saadiyat name.

Rents also vary sharply by location and property type. Mamsha apartments averaged AED 1,371-1,491 per square metre a year in 2025, roughly AED 127-139 per square foot. Saadiyat Beach Apartments were around AED 79-92 per square foot, while Saadiyat Beach Villas averaged roughly AED 76-82. Hidd Al Saadiyat villas sat near AED 101-102 per square foot.

Use the closest completed building or villa community when estimating rent. Match property type, size, furnishing, view, beach access and service level. Then subtract service charges, management, maintenance and vacancy before calculating a return.

How the figures are built: Sale and lease figures come from ADREC’s 2025 market report and use registered market records. Per-square-foot figures are conversions from ADREC’s per-square-metre data and are rounded to the nearest dirham. The Q1 2026 figure covers transaction activity across Saadiyat Island. Project prices and schedules were checked on 23 July 2026.

How current payment plans compare

The projects also ask you to pay at very different stages. Vida and Four Seasons leave half of the price for handover. Sensi leaves 70%, while The Row and Mandarin Oriental collect more during construction and reduce the final balance to 35%.

Payment plan	Current examples	When most of the price is paid
5% / 45% / 50%	Four Seasons	Low first payment; half due at handover
5% / 60% / 35%	The Row	Low first payment; heavier construction schedule
10% / 20% / 70%	Sensi	Light construction payments; largest handover balance
10% / 40% / 50%	Vida	Even split between construction and completion after booking
10% / 55% / 35%	Mandarin Oriental	More paid before completion; smaller handover balance

On a AED 3 million Sensi home, the 10/20/70 split equals AED 300,000 at booking, AED 600,000 during construction and AED 2.1 million at handover. This excludes registration, mortgage, furnishing and ownership costs.

Request the dated instalment schedule and speak to a lender early if you expect to finance the final balance. Keep enough cash available in case the bank valuation or approved loan is lower than expected.

For branded residences, ask for the estimated service charge, what it includes and which services are billed separately. These costs continue after the purchase instalments end.

What Marsa Al Saadiyat changes

Marsa Al Saadiyat is the final major phase of the island’s masterplan. Aldar will develop 6.4 million square metres of land along eight kilometres of waterfront, with a planned development value of AED 100 billion. More than 58,000 residents are planned across mansions, villas, waterfront apartments and branded residences.

The masterplan includes 5.6 kilometres of beaches, Abu Dhabi’s largest marina with up to 350 berths, around 140 kilometres of walking paths and 46 kilometres of cycling track. Three schools, healthcare, parks, sports courts, clubs and a direct scenic walkway to the Cultural District are built into the plan.

A wide photorealistic view of a future Saadiyat waterfront district with a marina, public beach, shaded walking and cycling paths, parks and low-rise homes.

New roads and tunnels are planned towards Umm Yifeenah Island and Reem Island, along with an underground Etihad Rail high-speed station. The first homes are due to go on sale in the second half of 2026, with infrastructure work beginning in the third quarter. Compare each release’s price, payment plan, handover date and location with the projects already available.

The beaches, shops, schools and transport links will arrive gradually, alongside years of construction and thousands of new homes.

Ownership and buyer protection in Abu Dhabi

Non-UAE nationals can acquire property rights on Saadiyat Island. Confirm exactly what you will own in the reservation form and sale and purchase agreement. Before transferring money, verify the ADREC registration, Madhmoun permit and project escrow account. Our ADREC buyer-protection guide explains the full process.

What to check before reserving

The exact home: Get the unit number, internal area, balcony or plot area, floor, orientation and total price in writing.
The view corridor: Mark the museums, sea, road, neighbouring plots and future buildings on the masterplan.
Primary or secondary status: Confirm who is selling, how much has been paid and which future instalments transfer to you.
The full payment calendar: Add every instalment date and purchase cost to your own cash-flow plan.
Service and operating costs: Request an estimate and read the branded residence or facilities agreement where one applies.
Beach access: Confirm whether it is private residential access, hotel or club access, or a nearby public beach.
Registration and escrow: Verify the project, developer, permit and payment account through ADREC and DARI.
The family’s routine: Test work, school, shopping and healthcare journeys from the exact district.
The completed competition: Compare with similar homes in Mamsha, Saadiyat Beach, Hidd, Soho Square and other established communities.
The handover plan: Decide whether you will move in, rent or sell, and study how many similar homes may complete at the same time.

Frequently asked questions

Is Saadiyat Island a good place to buy off-plan property?

Saadiyat has a natural coastline, an established luxury lifestyle, open cultural institutions and a wide choice of apartments, townhouses and villas still under development. ADREC recorded AED 8.8 billion of island transactions in Q1 2026. The best purchase will still depend on the exact unit, price, service cost, payment schedule and how long you plan to own it.

What is the cheapest current off-plan project on Saadiyat Island?

Vida Residences Saadiyat Island had guide prices from AED 2 million and limited availability when checked on 23 July 2026. Sensi started from AED 2.9 million, followed by The Row from AED 3.7 million.

Which Saadiyat projects are in the Cultural District?

The Row Saadiyat, Mandarin Oriental The Residences and Baccarat Residences Saadiyat are in or beside the Cultural District and Saadiyat Grove. Residents will be close to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, teamLab Phenomena and Mamsha.

Which project is best for families?

Sensi has the lowest starting price for family-sized homes, including four-bedroom townhouses. The Row suits families who want an apartment near museums and shared amenities, while Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons provide larger homes and more service. Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, beaches, sport and museum programmes are all available on the island.

Can foreign buyers own property on Saadiyat Island?

Yes. Saadiyat is within an Abu Dhabi investment area where non-UAE nationals can acquire property rights. Confirm the exact form of ownership and project registration for the selected home before reserving.

How much did Saadiyat Island property cost per square foot in 2025?

ADREC recorded an island mean of about AED 2,973 per sq ft for apartments and AED 1,951 per sq ft for villas and townhouses. Branded residences, beachfront homes and museum-facing apartments can sit far above those figures.

Do I need a car to live on Saadiyat Island?

A car makes daily life easier because the island covers about 27 square kilometres and its residential, school, beach and cultural districts are spread out. Taxis and public buses serve the island, particularly around the Cultural District.

What is Marsa Al Saadiyat?

Marsa Al Saadiyat is the AED 100 billion final major phase of the island masterplan announced on 22 July 2026. It will include homes, a large marina, beaches, parks, schools, healthcare, walking and cycling routes, new road connections and an underground Etihad Rail station. First home sales are planned for the second half of 2026.

Your shortlist could include a furnished marina apartment, a family townhouse, a museum-facing branded residence or a private home on the beach. Explore the current Saadiyat Island projects, walk the districts in person and compare the actual floor plans, views and costs before choosing.