Aldar Properties

Aldar Properties PJSC is Abu Dhabi’s largest listed real estate developer, founded in 2004 and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2005. Government-backed through its majority shareholder Alpha Dhabi — the UAE sovereign wealth fund — Aldar is the master developer behind Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Raha Beach, and dozens of residential communities across the UAE.

Aldar Properties was founded on 12 January 2004 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The company was listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in 2005 and merged with Sorouh Real Estate in 2013, creating the dominant property development force in Abu Dhabi. In 2020, Aldar launched a transformational growth strategy that has since more than doubled its group sales.

Aldar’s most iconic projects are Yas Island and Saadiyat Island. Yas Island is the UAE’s premier entertainment and leisure destination, home to Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, Yas Marina Circuit, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Mall. Saadiyat Island is Abu Dhabi’s cultural and ultra-luxury residential hub, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — and consistently the top destination for overseas property investors in Abu Dhabi.

Aldar’s primary developments are located across Abu Dhabi’s most desirable destinations, including Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Raha Beach, Al Reem Island, Al Jurf, Al Shamkha, and Al Fahid Island. Aldar has also expanded into Dubai (with projects at Expo City, DIFC, and in joint venture with Dubai Holding), Ras Al Khaimah, and internationally through SODIC in Egypt and London Square in the United Kingdom.

Yes. Aldar Properties is majority-owned by Alpha Dhabi, the UAE sovereign wealth fund, making it effectively government-backed. This ownership structure provides Aldar with significant financial strength, access to prime Abu Dhabi land, and close alignment with the emirate’s urban development strategy — giving investors high confidence in the company’s long-term stability and delivery track record.

Aldar develops a wide spectrum of property types across residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and logistics. Residential offerings range from affordable apartments in Al Shamkha to ultra-luxury villas on Saadiyat Island and Yas Island (including branded residences such as Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas and Baccarat Residences Saadiyat). The company also manages schools, hotels, malls, and logistics parks through its Aldar Investment platform.

In 2025, Aldar Properties delivered its strongest-ever results: AED 40.6 billion in group sales (up 21% YoY), AED 33.8 billion in revenue (up 47%), and AED 7.61 billion in net profit (up 36%). The development revenue backlog reached AED 71.7 billion — including AED 61 billion in the UAE — providing clear revenue visibility for the next three years.

Yes. Aldar has significantly expanded its Dubai presence in recent years. Key initiatives include a joint venture with Dubai Holding to develop three master-planned residential communities (including a family-oriented community and an ultra-luxury waterfront project totalling nearly 14,000 residences), a Grade A office tower on Sheikh Zayed Road near DIFC, and a commercial project at Expo City Dubai.

Yes. Aldar has a growing international presence. In 2023, Aldar acquired London Square — a leading UK residential developer — for approximately AED 1.07 billion, followed by 10+ land acquisitions in prime London locations including Richmond upon Thames and Twickenham. Aldar also holds a majority stake in SODIC, one of Egypt’s leading real estate developers, and targets AED 5 billion in annual international sales by 2030.

Aldar’s payment plans vary by project and segment. Many off-plan developments offer phased payment structures during construction with a post-handover component. Entry-level Abu Dhabi projects on Yas Island start from around AED 805,000 for studios. Ultra-luxury properties on Saadiyat Island are priced from tens of millions. Specific payment terms are disclosed at each project launch.

Aldar’s most anticipated upcoming projects include Al Fahid Island — a 3.4 million sqm ultra-luxury island development between Saadiyat and Yas islands — Baccarat Residences Saadiyat (launched 2026), Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas Island, new phases at Gardenia Bay and Yas Riva Residences on Yas Island, a Grade A office tower near DIFC in Dubai, and continued phases across its Dubai Holding joint venture communities.

Aldar, Emaar, and DAMAC are three of the UAE’s most prominent developers, each with distinct strengths. Aldar is Abu Dhabi’s government-backed flagship developer, known for its master island communities (Yas, Saadiyat), diversified investment portfolio, and international expansion into the UK and Egypt. Emaar is Dubai’s largest listed developer, known for Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa, and broad master-planned communities. DAMAC is Dubai’s leading private luxury developer, known for ultra-premium branded residences. Aldar is unique in its combination of development, investment, hospitality, education, and facilities management under one platform.