Al Maryah Island Property Guide

Al Maryah Island Overview

Al Maryah Island is Abu Dhabi’s central business district and home to Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the capital’s international financial centre. Set between downtown Abu Dhabi and Al Reem Island, the island of around 114 hectares combines landmark office towers with The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels, waterfront promenades and premium residences.

Al Maryah Island is entering a major new chapter. In December 2025 Aldar and Mubadala announced an expansion worth more than AED 60 billion on the island’s north side, adding more than 3,000 waterfront residences, including W Residences and The St. Regis branded homes, and doubling the island’s office space. In 2025 apartment asking prices rose 8.4% to around AED 1,855 per square foot, with average apartment prices up 19.6%.

Highlights

•           Financial district: home to ADGM, with more than 11,000 active licences and around 40,000 people working on the island.

•           Landmark amenities: The Galleria, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Four Seasons and Rosewood hotels.

•           Major expansion: an AED 60 billion-plus plan with more than 3,000 new waterfront residences.

•           Branded living: W Residences and The St. Regis residences planned.

•           Value growth: average apartment asking prices up 19.6% in 2025.

•           Central location: minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi, Al Reem Island and Saadiyat Island.

•           Investment zone: open to buyers of all nationalities.

Al Maryah Island at a glance

•           Developers: Mubadala and Aldar Properties

•           Location: between downtown Abu Dhabi and Al Reem Island

•           Total area: around 114 hectares (around 12.3 million square feet)

•           Financial centre: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)

•           North-side expansion: nearly 500,000 square metres of land, 1.5 million square metres of new floor space

•           Ownership: investment zone, open to international buyers

•           Property types: apartments, serviced residences and branded residences

Living at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s economy

Al Maryah Island offers a rare combination of a global financial district, luxury retail and hospitality, world-class healthcare and waterfront homes. The planned expansion will significantly increase its residential offer and connectivity.

Al Maryah Island in Numbers

Key verified figures for Al Maryah Island, with the period and source type stated for market data.

Size and business district

•           Total area: around 114 hectares

•           ADGM active licences: more than 11,000

•           People working on the island: around 40,000

North-side expansion (announced December 2025)

•           Value: more than AED 60 billion

•           Partners: Aldar (60%) and Mubadala (40%)

•           Land area: nearly 500,000 square metres

•           New floor space: 1.5 million square metres of office, residential, retail and hospitality space

•           Offices: more than 450,000 square metres, roughly doubling existing supply

•           Residences: more than 3,000 waterfront homes, including W Residences and The St. Regis

•           Retail and dining: around 40,000 square metres, plus an expanded marina

•           New bridges: 3, linking the north side to Al Reem Island and the mainland

•           Air-conditioned pedestrian corridors: around 2.5 kilometres

•           Open space: around 20% of the expansion

•           Timeline: enabling works expected to begin in 2026

Market data (2025, dubizzle annual report)

•           Apartment asking price per square foot: around AED 1,855, up 8.4% year on year

•           Average apartment asking price: around AED 1.40 million, up 19.6% year on year

Where Is Al Maryah Island? Location and Connectivity

Al Maryah Island lies between downtown Abu Dhabi and Al Reem Island, linked to both by bridges.

Key distances and travel times

•           Downtown Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Mall: around 5 to 10 minutes.

•           Al Reem Island: around 5 minutes.

•           Saadiyat Island: under 10 minutes once the new bridges open, around 15 minutes today.

•           Zayed International Airport (AUH): around 25 minutes.

Road and transport access

•           Bridges: links to downtown Abu Dhabi and Al Reem Island, with three more planned.

•           Buses: public bus routes serving the island.

•           Pedestrian links: planned air-conditioned walkways across the expansion.

Al Maryah Island Master Plan

Development background

Formerly known as Sowwah Island, Al Maryah Island was developed by Mubadala as Abu Dhabi’s central business district. ADGM, The Galleria, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and luxury hotels were delivered first, followed by residential towers such as Al Maryah Vista and serviced residences. The north-side expansion with Aldar marks the island’s next phase.

Planning principles

•           Business district: ADGM and premium office towers.

•           Mixed use: offices, homes, retail, healthcare and hospitality together.

•           Waterfront: promenades, a marina and the Al Maryah Waterfront with a 75-metre fountain planned.

•           Walkability: air-conditioned pedestrian corridors.

Developers and Projects in Al Maryah Island

Mubadala and Aldar Properties are the main developers of Al Maryah Island. Buyers should confirm each project’s details and registration with the developer and the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.

Residential communities

•           Al Maryah Vista and Al Maryah Vista 2: waterfront apartment towers.

•           Four Seasons and Rosewood residences: serviced residences with hotel services.

•           Planned branded residences: W Residences and The St. Regis in the north-side expansion.

Property types in Al Maryah Island

•           Studios and one-bedroom apartments: popular with professionals working in ADGM.

•           Two- and three-bedroom apartments: waterfront family homes.

•           Branded and serviced residences: premium homes with hotel services.

Al Maryah Island Property Prices and Market Trends

In 2025 apartment asking prices on Al Maryah Island rose 8.4% to around AED 1,855 per square foot, with average apartment asking prices up 19.6%. Figures in this section are based on listing data and published reports, with the period and source type stated. They should be confirmed at the time of purchase.

Market Overview

Demand on Al Maryah Island is driven by its role as Abu Dhabi’s financial centre, its luxury amenities and its limited residential supply. Professionals working in ADGM create strong rental demand, and the planned expansion adds a significant new chapter for the island.

Key Market Indicators

•           Apartment asking price per square foot: around AED 1,855 (2025), up 8.4%.

•           Average apartment asking price: around AED 1.40 million (2025), up 19.6%.

•           Average apartment rent: around AED 145,000 a year (market data).

Typical Unit Sizes

•           One-bedroom apartments: around 750 to 1,000 square feet.

•           Two-bedroom apartments: around 1,200 to 1,700 square feet.

•           Three-bedroom apartments: around 1,800 to 2,600 square feet.

Average Asking Prices by Unit Type (2025)

•           One-bedroom apartments: around AED 1.10 million.

•           Two-bedroom apartments: around AED 1.90 million.

•           Three-bedroom apartments: around AED 2.39 million.

Market Outlook

•           Start of the AED 60 billion-plus north-side expansion

•           New branded residences and waterfront homes

•           Continued growth of ADGM and the business community

•           New bridges improving access to Al Reem Island and Saadiyat

Payment Plans

•           Off-plan payment plans: staged payments during construction for new projects, set by each developer.

•           Ready property: purchased outright or with a mortgage.

Upcoming Infrastructure in Al Maryah Island

•           North-side expansion: offices, more than 3,000 residences, retail and hospitality.

•           Three new bridges: connecting to Al Reem Island and the mainland.

•           Al Maryah Waterfront: an enhanced promenade with a 75-metre fountain and expanded marina.

•           Pedestrian network: around 2.5 kilometres of air-conditioned walkways.

Long-term vision

Al Maryah Island is set to double its business district and become one of the region’s leading live-work waterfront destinations, anchored by ADGM.

Living in Al Maryah Island: Lifestyle and Amenities

Shopping and dining

•           The Galleria Al Maryah Island: luxury fashion, dining and entertainment.

•           Waterfront promenade: restaurants and cafés by the water.

Hospitality

•           Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi and Rosewood Abu Dhabi: luxury hotels with dining and spas.

Healthcare

•           Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi: a leading multi-specialty hospital on the island.

Education

•           Schools nearby: Repton School Abu Dhabi, GEMS World Academy and other schools on Al Reem Island and in downtown Abu Dhabi.

•           Higher education: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and INSEAD’s Middle East campus nearby.

Community

Al Maryah Island is home to professionals and families who value central living, luxury amenities and a short commute to Abu Dhabi’s financial centre.

How to Buy Property in Al Maryah Island

Al Maryah Island is an investment zone, so UAE nationals and international buyers can buy, own, let and resell property through the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.

Who Buys in Al Maryah Island

•           Professionals: buyers working in ADGM and downtown Abu Dhabi.

•           Investors: buyers seeking rental demand from the business district.

•           Lifestyle buyers: buyers of branded and serviced residences.

•           Residency seekers: buyers combining a home with eligibility for a UAE residence visa.

Ownership

International buyers can own property in Abu Dhabi’s designated investment zones. Ownership is registered with the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), and off-plan purchases are recorded on the official off-plan register until handover, when the title deed is issued. Off-plan projects are registered with the authorities, and buyers’ payments are held in a dedicated project escrow account.

Golden Visa and Residency

Property ownership in Abu Dhabi can qualify buyers for a UAE residence visa, including the 10-year Golden Visa when the property value meets the government threshold. Buyers should confirm the latest criteria with ADREC or the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security.

Letting Your Property

Long-term leases in Abu Dhabi are registered through the Tawtheeq system. Holiday-home lets require a licence from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, usually arranged through a licensed operator.

Al Maryah Island FAQs

Where is Al Maryah Island?

Al Maryah Island lies between downtown Abu Dhabi and Al Reem Island and is home to ADGM.

How big is Al Maryah Island?

The island covers around 114 hectares, with a planned expansion of nearly 500,000 square metres on its north side.

What is the price per square foot on Al Maryah Island?

Apartment asking prices averaged around AED 1,855 per square foot in 2025, up 8.4%. Full details are set out in the Property Prices section.

What is the Al Maryah Island expansion?

An AED 60 billion-plus project by Aldar and Mubadala adding offices, more than 3,000 residences, retail, hotels and three new bridges.

Can foreigners buy property on Al Maryah Island?

Yes. Al Maryah Island is an investment zone open to international buyers.

Does buying on Al Maryah Island qualify for a Golden Visa?

Property ownership can qualify buyers for a UAE residence visa, including the 10-year Golden Visa when the property value meets the government threshold. Buyers should confirm the latest criteria before purchase.

Important Notice

This page is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or investment advice. Figures are based on publicly available market sources at the date of publication and may change. Illustrative examples are not forecasts, and past price performance does not guarantee future results. Project details, prices, payment plans and completion dates are subject to change by the respective developers. Readers should verify all information independently and consult licensed professionals before making any investment decision.