Manarat Living

TL;DR: Manarat Living is a landmark three-phase residential development by Aldar Properties on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. Comprising 905 total units across Phases I (273 units, February 2026), II (232 units, Q1 2027), and III (400 units, Q2 2028), the project offers studios to 3-bedroom apartments starting from AED 635,000. Located within the Saadiyat Cultural District — home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Natural History Museum, Zayed National Museum, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi — Manarat Living holds an Estidama Pearl 2 sustainability rating and delivers projected rental yields of 5% to 7%.

Introduction

Manarat Living is a profoundly ambitious, multi-phase residential development masterminded by Aldar Properties PJSC, Abu Dhabi's preeminent real estate developer. Strategically anchored within the prestigious Saadiyat Cultural District on Saadiyat Island, this landmark project comprises three distinct residential buildings — Manarat Living I, Manarat Living II, and Manarat Living III — collectively housing 905 thoughtfully designed residences. With phased handovers spanning from February 2026 through the second quarter of 2028, Manarat Living represents one of the most significant residential launches on Saadiyat Island in recent years, seamlessly interweaving contemporary urban living with an unparalleled cultural ecosystem that includes four world-class museums within walking distance.

The development's tagline, "It Starts Here," encapsulates its positioning as a gateway to an extraordinary lifestyle where art, culture, nature, and modern convenience converge. Every phase has been meticulously designed to offer distinct character while maintaining a cohesive architectural and lifestyle identity. All units within the development qualify for freehold ownership by foreign nationals, and investments of AED 2 million or above are eligible for the UAE's coveted 10-year Golden Visa — adding significant long-term residency value to the property investment.

Location & Connectivity

Saadiyat Island is a 27-square-kilometer natural island situated approximately 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi's main island in the Arabian Gulf. Connected to the mainland via the Sheikh Khalifa Bridge (Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Road / E12), the island offers a remarkably convenient commute — downtown Abu Dhabi is accessible within approximately 5 minutes by car, while Abu Dhabi International Airport is roughly 20 minutes away. Dubai is reachable within approximately 1 hour via the E11 highway.

The Saadiyat Cultural District, where Manarat Living is situated, spans 2.43 square kilometres and represents a centrepiece of the island's USD 27 billion master plan. The district's extraordinary cultural infrastructure places residents within walking distance of multiple world-class institutions: the Louvre Abu Dhabi (designed by Jean Nouvel, opened November 2017), the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (designed by Dutch firm Mecanoo, opened November 2025, spanning 35,000 square metres), the Zayed National Museum (designed by Foster + Partners with its iconic falcon-wing silhouette, opened December 2025), and the highly anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (designed by Frank Gehry, expected 2026), which will be the largest Guggenheim museum globally. The teamLab Abu Dhabi immersive digital art experience, which opened in March 2025, adds yet another cultural dimension to the district.

Additional island amenities include Saadiyat Public Beach — a pristine 5.5-mile natural beach offering watersports and sun lounger rentals — the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club (featuring the longest course in the UAE on black tees with Arabian Gulf views), Manarat Al Saadiyat cultural centre (three galleries, a 250-seat auditorium, outdoor events terrace, and art studios), the Abrahamic Family House, and NYU Abu Dhabi (approximately 9 minutes by car).

Architecture & Design

Manarat Living's architectural identity reflects Aldar Properties' commitment to sustainable, contemporary design. The entire development carries an Estidama Pearl 2 sustainability rating — Abu Dhabi's green building certification — mandating improved energy efficiency, interior water savings, and the incorporation of recycled materials throughout construction. Two customizable interior finish schemes — designated "Dark" and "Light" — allow residents to personalize their living spaces according to individual aesthetic preferences.

Phase I presents 273 residences across studios (76 units, approximately 355 square feet), one-bedroom apartments (123 units, approximately 807 square feet), and two-bedroom apartments (74 units, approximately 1,216 square feet, with select units including a maid's room). The total size range spans 323 to 1,593 square feet.

Phase II houses 232 residences, expanding the unit mix to include three-bedroom apartments (approximately 2,303 square feet with maid's room) alongside studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom configurations. The overall size range spans 355 to 2,303 square feet.

Phase III, the largest phase with 400 units, introduces a two-bedroom plus study configuration alongside studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom layouts. Sizes range from 305 to 2,206 square feet.

Each phase features dedicated parking (one space per unit), bicycle storage facilities, and ground-floor lobby lounges that establish a refined arrival experience.

Amenities & Lifestyle

Manarat Living delivers an extraordinarily rich amenity ecosystem that evolves and expands across each successive phase, creating a comprehensively appointed lifestyle destination:

Wellness & Fitness: A double-height gymnasium anchors the fitness offering in Phase I, complemented by a vertical running track — a distinctive feature that allows residents to combine cardiovascular exercise with vertical elevation training. Dedicated yoga and breakout spaces provide tranquil zones for mindfulness practice. Phase II introduces a Power Room and Strength Studio, while Phase III adds bespoke sports facilities and a dedicated sports zone.

Aquatic Facilities: Rooftop swimming pools for both adults and children feature in Phase I, while Phase II and Phase III elevate the experience with infinity pools offering panoramic views across the cultural district and the Arabian Gulf.

Social & Entertainment: Phase II introduces a cinema space and Games Den, while Phase III delivers a dedicated rooftop cinema terrace, a fully soundproof podcast recording studio, and gaming rooms — reflecting the evolving lifestyle preferences of a digitally native, content-creating resident demographic.

Creative Spaces: The ArtHub, featured in Phases I and II, provides dedicated co-working and art creation space that directly complements the cultural district's artistic energy. Multi-purpose creative studios and activity rooms extend throughout the development.

Family Amenities: Indoor and outdoor children's play areas appear in all phases, with Phase II adding an Imaginarium Playroom and Phase III incorporating dedicated kids' zones. Outdoor play parks and landscaped gardens ensure abundant open-air recreation space.

Outdoor Living: Zen gardens, BBQ spaces, outdoor lounges, landscaped gardens, and rooftop terraces provide abundant communal outdoor areas that take full advantage of Abu Dhabi's favorable winter climate.

Unit Types & Payment Plans

Manarat Living offers a comprehensive range of residential configurations across its three phases:

Phase I (Handover: February 2026):

• Studios (76 units, ~355 sq ft) — Starting from AED 635,000
• 1-Bedroom (123 units, ~807 sq ft)
• 2-Bedroom (74 units, ~1,216 sq ft, select with maid's room)
• Payment Plan: 40/60 construction-linked (10% at SPA signing, 30% across construction milestones, 40% at handover — per February 2026 completion schedule)

Phase II (Handover: Q1 2027):

• Studios (~355 sq ft) — Starting from AED 730,000
• 1-Bedroom (~807 sq ft) — Starting from AED 1,400,000
• 2-Bedroom (~1,216 sq ft) — Starting from AED 2,200,000
• 3-Bedroom (~2,303 sq ft with maid's room) — Starting from AED 4,200,000
• Payment Plan: 65/35 (10% at booking, 55% during construction in scheduled installments, 35% on handover)

Phase III (Handover: Q2 2028):

• Studios, 1-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom, 2-Bedroom + Study, 3-Bedroom
• Size range: 305 to 2,206 sq ft
• Starting from AED 1,050,000
• Payment Plan: 65/35 (10% down payment, 55% during construction, 35% on handover)

The progressive pricing across phases — AED 635,000 to AED 730,000 to AED 1,050,000 for entry-level studios — reflects both Saadiyat Island's accelerating capital appreciation trajectory and the incremental amenity enhancements delivered in each successive building.

Developer Profile

Aldar Properties PJSC is Abu Dhabi's largest and most established real estate developer. Founded on 12 January 2004 and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in 2005, the company is majority-owned by Alpha Dhabi, a UAE sovereign wealth entity. As of late 2025, Aldar commanded a market capitalization of approximately AED 69.82 billion (approximately USD 24.1 billion) with trailing twelve-month revenue of approximately USD 9.2 billion (Aldar Annual Report, 2024).

Aldar's portfolio spans residential development and sales, investment properties, hospitality and leisure, project management, education, and international operations. Landmark projects include Al Raha Beach, Yas Island (home to Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari World, and the Yas Hotel), Saadiyat Island master development, Al Raha Gardens, and Reem Island communities. In 2023, Aldar expanded internationally by acquiring London Square, a UK residential developer, for GBP 230 million (AED 1.07 billion), signaling the company's ambition to establish a global development footprint.

The company's deep institutional backing, sovereign-adjacent ownership structure, and consistent track record of delivering master-planned communities at scale provide Manarat Living buyers with an exceptionally high degree of developer credibility and project completion certainty.

Investment Potential

Saadiyat Island has established itself as Abu Dhabi's premier luxury residential address, and Manarat Living offers a compelling entry point into this appreciating market. Gross rental yields across the island range from approximately 5% to 7%, with Manarat Living specifically projected to deliver returns within the 5% to 7% band depending on unit type and phase (Metropolitan Real Estate, 2025).

Current rental benchmarks on Saadiyat Island indicate annual rents of approximately AED 70,000 to AED 95,000 for studios, AED 85,000 to AED 195,000 for one-bedroom apartments, AED 120,000 to AED 200,000 for two-bedroom units, and AED 280,000 to AED 700,000 for three-bedroom residences (Property Finder, 2025). Average rents across the island grew 15.2% year-on-year, reaching approximately AED 84 per square foot — reflecting intensifying demand as the cultural district's museum ecosystem reaches critical mass.

Capital appreciation on Saadiyat Island has been robust, with 8% to 12% annual price growth in recent years and top segments recording 15% to 28% appreciation during peak periods (Global Property Guide, 2024). The successive opening of world-class cultural institutions — the Natural History Museum and Zayed National Museum in late 2025, with the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi expected in 2026 — represents a sustained, multi-year demand catalyst that few competing developments can replicate.

The Golden Visa eligibility threshold of AED 2 million further enhances the investment proposition, particularly for international buyers seeking long-term UAE residency alongside asset ownership. With Aldar's sovereign-backed development pedigree, Saadiyat Island's irreplaceable cultural positioning, and freehold ownership available to all nationalities, Manarat Living represents a strategically sound investment in one of the Gulf region's most culturally significant and rapidly appreciating residential addresses.