Aldar launches Dh40bn Fahid Island project, bringing wellness-focused living to Abu Dhabi
2 June 2025 16:37
ISIDORA CIRIC (ABU DHABI)Abu Dhabi's property market is set for another major addition with Aldar's launch of Fahid Island, a Dh40 billion coastal destination positioned between Yas Island and Saadiyat. The 2.7 million square metre development is being pitched as a wellness-first community where no home is more than five minutes from the sea, and no more than 250 metres from green space.The island will offer more than 6,000 homes, from apartments and townhouses to high-end waterfront villas with 4- to 6-bedroom formats.Phase one, Fahid Beach Residences, will feature seven low-rise buildings with 65 apartments each, and is scheduled for completion by 2029. It also includes community amenities and a top-tier international school, with more details on the education partner to be announced soon, Aldar said on Monday.The rest of the project will be delivered in phases over the following three years.Aldar acquired the land in early 2023 for Dh2.5 billion, initially estimating a development value of Dh26 billion. That figure has since climbed to over Dh40 billion, as plans for the site expanded to include extensive natural landscapes, international school facilities, and a new residential benchmark for the capital.From the start, Aldar has framed Fahid Island as a 'complete ecosystem'. With 4.6km of beachfront on one side and mangroves on the other, all homes will be no more than a five-minute walk from the sea and within 250 metres of open green space. The layout includes 15km of shaded pedestrian walkways and multiple bridges connecting both sides of the island, designed to limit car use and promote walkability. A 10km landscaped Berm Park will act as a green wellness corridor, complete with cycling routes and running trails.'Abu Dhabi is a thriving, global destination where heritage and innovation combine to create a world-class environment to live, work, and explore. Sustainable and inclusive development has been a critical part of this success, which is why Aldar remains focused on delivering communities that reflect the values and ambitions of the UAE,' said Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of Aldar.Sustainability and liveability are central to the design. Around 30% of the island's space will be dedicated to natural landscapes, and Aldar is actively working with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi to protect marine life along the island's mangrove edges.'Our plans for Fahid Island support a thriving real estate market in Abu Dhabi, where we are seeing incredible demand from buyers within the local market as well as overseas investors,' said Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar.Fahid Island's location, wedged between two of Abu Dhabi's highest-profile developments, positions it at the crossroads of culture, tourism, and investment. A recent MPM Properties report showed strong interest in prime waterfront communities, with prices in areas like Saadiyat jumping by up to 15% in 2024.'Fahid Island is one of the largest mixed-use residential masterplans launched in Abu Dhabi and will ensure the emirate consolidates its position as one of the world's most desirable destinations to reside, invest, and visit,' Al Dhiyebi added.
Its unveiling comes shortly after plans for a Disney theme park on Yas Island were announced, adding momentum to rising demand in the capital's real estate market.
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