HIGHLIGHTS
ABOUT SAADIYAT ISLAND
Saadiyat Island or Sadiyat Island is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious addresses in Abu Dhabi, due to its gorgeous and scenic location. Also, because of its position as the capital’s cultural hub, with international art fairs and the presence of the Louvre Abu Dhabi. As an up and coming area, it is also one of the hottest and most-searched for areas with off-plan developments in Abu Dhabi, especially when it comes to villas. In this area guide, you can find information about living on Al Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, what amenities you can find here and the things to consider before moving.
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POPULAR AREAS |
ROI |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018 |
STUDIO |
1 BED APT |
2 BED APT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Reem Island |
ROI
7.0% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Al Raha Beach |
ROI
7.0% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Al Ghadeer |
ROI
8.0% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Al Reef |
ROI
8.6% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Masdar City |
ROI
8.7% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Saadiyat Island |
ROI
7.8% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Yas Island |
ROI
6.6% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Baniyas |
ROI
7.7% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Al Maryah Island |
ROI
N/A |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
| Danet Abu Dhabi |
ROI
7.2% |
PRICE PER SQ.FT
Avg. Price/sq.ftChange from 2018
|
STUDIO
|
1 BED APT
|
2 BED APT
|
|
Not available due to low/no historical inventory or influx of off-plan properties |
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IN A NUTSHELL
- Home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi
- An up and coming area for off-plan developments in Abu Dhabi
- One of the most prestigious locations in the capital
- A mix of upscale villas, townhouses and apartments
- Home to a mix of expats
- A popular area for buying villas, as seen in Bayut’s Market Report for Abu Dhabi 2019
NEIGHBOURHOOD
COMMUNITY OVERVIEW
The Al Saadiyat Island is perfect for culture vultures who enjoy art fairs, museums and gorgeous architecture, set on the backdrop of the beautiful blue waters of the beach. The upscale neighbourhood is home to a mix of expats who are either renting property or living in one they have invested in. While the general perception is that the island is a villa community, there are also several low-rise apartment buildings that offer residents all the luxuries of villa living but are more suited to couples and young families.
PROPERTIES IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
For investors looking to purchase apartments on Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi, Soho Beach currently offers the most affordable of the off-plan investments with studios starting at AED 670k.
It is worth noting that there are several off-plan projects in the pipeline, that are sure to have an impact on both sale and rent prices on the Island.
RENTAL TRENDS IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
Apartment Type | Average Rental Price in AED |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | Average Rental Price in AED 64,000 |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 87,000 |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 143,000 |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 172,000 |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 285,000 |
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 5 BATHS
- |
- 2528 SQFT
- STUDIO
- |
- 1 BATH
- |
- 439 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 2249 SQFT
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 3278 SQFT
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 3285 SQFT
- 4 BEDS
- |
- 6 BATHS
- |
- 5197 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 1542 SQFT
The apartments range from studios to 4-bedroom flats with annual rents starting at AED 64k and AED 87k for both studios and 1-bedroom apartments, respectively. Those looking for a spacious option can rent 2-bedroom units in Saadiyat Island at an average rental rate of 143k. People can also rent 3-bedroom and 4-bedroom unit for AED 172k and AED 285k, respectively.
Villa Type | Average Rental Price in AED |
|---|---|
Villa Type 2-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 206,000 |
Villa Type 3-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 287,000 |
Villa Type 4-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 325,000 |
Villa Type 5-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 419,000 |
Villa Type 6-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 491,000 |
Villa Type 7-Bed | Average Rental Price in AED 553,000 |
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 4088 SQFT
- 4 BEDS
- |
- 6 BATHS
- |
- 7454 SQFT
Meanwhile, families who are looking to rent villas on Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi can expect to pay no less than AED 290k per year for luxurious 4-bedroom villas on Saadiyat Island, while Saadiyat Lagoons sees investors paying a minimum of AED 2.4M for a 2-bedroom townhouse. For those with larger families, the villas come in different configurations and layouts of up to 7 bedrooms, such as those in HIDD Al Saadiyat.
SALE TRENDS IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
Apartment Type | Average Sale Price in AED |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | Average Sale Price in AED 749,000 |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 1,869,000 |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 2,384,000 |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 3,489,000 |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 7,164,000 |
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 1749 SQFT
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 5 BATHS
- |
- 3453 SQFT
- 2 BEDS
- |
- 3 BATHS
- |
- 1900 SQFT
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 3152 SQFT
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 3162 SQFT
- 3 BEDS
- |
- 4 BATHS
- |
- 4750 SQFT
- 1 BED
- |
- 2 BATHS
- |
- 1364 SQFT
Those who are looking to buy properties in Saadiyat Island Abu Dhabi will be pleased to know that there are various options to choose from. The luxurious studio unit in Saadiyat Island has an average cost of AED 749k. It increases to AED 1.8M for the sale of 1-bedroom apartment. The price of a 2-bedroom apartment goes up to AED 2.38M. One can buy a luxurious 4-bedroom villa for sale for an average cost of AED 7M.
Villa Type | Average Sale Price in AED |
|---|---|
Villa Type 2-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 3,592,000 |
Villa Type 3-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 5,078,000 |
Villa Type 4-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 7,135,000 |
Villa Type 5-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 11,724,000 |
Villa Type 6-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 14,028,000 |
Villa Type 7-Bed | Average Sale Price in AED 18,345,000 |
- 4 BEDS
- |
- 8 BATHS
- |
- 7475 SQFT
- 4 BEDS
- |
- 5 BATHS
- |
- 9199 SQFT
- 5 BEDS
- |
- 10 BATHS
- |
- 8256 SQFT
For people planning to buy villas, the cost of a 2-bedroom house is about AED 3.59M. One can also buy a luxurious 3-bedroom villa for AED 5M. The cost can go up to AED 7M for 4-bedroom villas. The average cost of a spacious 5-bedroom villa is about AED 11.7M. Consisting of 7 bathrooms, a guest bedroom with and a formal living room, a 6-bedroom villa in Saadiyat Island can be bought for AED 14M. Lastly, the cost of a 7-bedroom villa goes as high as AED 18M.
ROI IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
Apartment Type | ROI |
|---|---|
Apartment Type Studio | ROI 8.3% |
Apartment Type 1-Bed | ROI 7.2% |
Apartment Type 2-Bed | ROI 6.5% |
Apartment Type 3-Bed | ROI 6.4% |
Apartment Type 4-Bed | ROI 6.7% |
The highest ROI is of a studio unit of 8.3%. It goes down to 7.2% for a 1-bedroom apartment. The ROI fluctuates between 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom units of 6.5% and 6.4%, respectively. The ROI of a 4-bedroom apartment is 6.7%.
Villa Type | ROI |
|---|---|
Villa Type 2-Bed | ROI 5.1% |
Villa Type 3-Bed | ROI 5.0% |
Villa Type 4-Bed | ROI 5.2% |
Villa Type 5-Bed | ROI 4.2% |
Villa Type 6-Bed | ROI 3.7% |
Villa Type 7-Bed | ROI 3.2% |
The highest ROI is of a 4-bedroom villa of 5.2%. It goes down to 5.1% for a 2-bedroom villa and 5.0% for a 3-bedroom house. The ROI for a 5-bed villa is 4.2%. The lowest ROI is of a 7-bedroom villa with 3.2%.
MOST POPULAR COMMUNITIES IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
The top five most popular areas on the island are Saadiyat Beach, which has both villas and apartments for rent. HIDD Al Saadiyat and Park View are followed by Saadiyat Cultural District. The final location on the list of popular location is Soho Square.
Most other areas apart from Saadiyat Beach are primarily known for their off-plan developments. Saadiyat Beach, Soho Square and Park View are more popular for apartment living on Saadiyat island, while the beachfront properties in Abu Dhabi that are concentrated on HIDD Al Saadiyat and Jawaher Al Saadiyat are also hugely popular with investors, thanks to their spectacular views of the beach and unmatched amenities.
SAADIYAT ISLAND FLOOR PLANS
Those looking for Saadiyat Island floor plans can browse through the floor plans available for popular communities/buildings in JBR.
HOTELS ON SAADIYAT ISLAND
The Saadiyat Island hotels are popular among the top resorts in Abu Dhabi. The hotels offer
- The St. Regis Resort, Abu Dhabi
- Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas
- Jumeirah At Saadiyat Island Resort
- Rixos
The St. Regis Resort is known to be one of the best hotels around here. It is a 5-star resort and features a golf club, private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, six dining establishments and offers the signature St. Regis butler service to its guests.
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is a beach resort on the island. It is located close to the cultural sites. The Park Hyatt Hotel offers deluxe spacious rooms and suites and many leisure amenities for guests of all ages. The hotel is also close to Saadiyat Beach.
Jumeirah At Saadiyat Island Resort is another 5-star hotel in the neighbourhood. It features 293 rooms, suites and villas for guests. Other amenities include a private beach, tennis courts, swimming pools, water sports area and more. There is even a Kids and Teens Club to entertain children.
Rixos Saadiyat Island is also one of the best hotels. It features a complete experience for all guests. It has 11 dining options, a kids club, a private beach, an aqua park, a ballroom for events and more.
TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING SPACES IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
As with all developments in the UAE, residents are guaranteed secure parking spaces on Saadiyat Island for their own vehicles, while guests can avail public parking depending on the area of the island they are visiting.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
While having a car undoubtedly makes getting around and out of the island easier, there are regular public buses that connect this suburb to the rest of the city. Thanks to the many high-end hotels in the area, there are usually a few taxis that are in the area for those relying on public transport in Sadiyat Island.
AMENITIES, SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE
Despite being one of the more recent areas to develop in Abu Dhabi, there is no shortage of amenities for residents.
SUPERMARKETS ON SAADIYAT ISLAND
A few select retail and dining outlets along with a Waitrose supermarket are located in the community centre by Saadiyat Beach. There is also a Spinneys supermarket on Saadiyat Island at The Collection.
CHURCHES, TEMPLES AND MOSQUES ON SAADIYAT ISLAND
In terms of the religious needs, the mosque in Saadiyat Island serves the residents well. Christian residents can attend mass at the churches on the main island and Hindu residents have to currently rely on the temples in Dubai. This will change soon with the temple opening up in Abu Dhabi which will be only a 15-minute drive away.
SCHOOLS ON SAADIYAT ISLAND
In terms of educational options, the Redwood Nursery on Saadiyat Island is ideal for parents with younger children. The famed international residential school, Cranleigh School in Abu Dhabi is one of the premier educational institutions in Abu Dhabi. Older children can enrol in the highly acclaimed and internationally recognized New York University campus. For more options, residents can simply head into the mainland.
CLINICS AND HOSPITALS ON SAADIYAT ISLAND
The island currently does not have hospitals in the area (although there is a pharmacy and a cosmetic clinic on the island). Otherwise, the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic is just 20 minutes away.
NEARBY AREAS
Yas Island is the closest, minutes away by road (separated by the picturesque Al Jubail Island). The Al Reem Island is also next door, while the mainland areas (and amenities) of Al Mina, Al Dhafrah and Al Maryah Island are also under 20 minutes away.
LIFESTYLE
SHOPPING, DINING AND NIGHTLIFE
MALLS IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
There are only a limited number of retail options and unlike other areas in the country, there are currently no malls on Saadiyat Island. Those looking to indulge in a shopping spree can head to the nearest mall, Yas Mall which is currently also the largest mall in Abu Dhabi.
RESTAURANTS IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
There is no shortage of restaurants on Saadiyat Island to satisfy even the most refined palate. The iconic St Regis and Saadiyat Beach Club are popular venues for the city’s stylish socialites to enjoy a 5-star meal or sundowners by the sea and is soon to become a nightlife destination in its own right thanks to the opening of a Buddha Bar. For those looking at more casual hangouts for coffee and conversations, the Starbucks outlet is a popular option.
BEACHES IN SAADIYAT ISLAND
Being an island, there are some of the top beach clubs in Abu Dhabi beloved by visitors and residents alike. Apart from the luxuries afforded by the beach clubs, the Saadiyat Island Public Beach is a favoured leisure hotspot, filled with sun loungers and options for watersports. No matter where on the island you choose to live, you’re guaranteed that it’s near the sea!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, FITNESS AND BEAUTY
If you are more of a fitness enthusiast, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained on Saadiyat Island. The various sub-communities, each have their own state-of-the-art facilities for health, wellness and recreation, from communal swimming pools to gyms and spas. There are also cycling and jogging paths around the area, with more in the works as the development progresses. There also bicycle renting stations, for those who want to explore the neighbourhood on two wheels!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
One of the biggest pros is the fact that it is such a vibrant community with a constant stream of events keeping your social calendar packed. For fans of golf, the Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is an attractive (not to mention picturesque) golfing venue, with state of the art facilities by a course designed by the legendary Gary Player.
If art and culture are more in line with your interests, then you will definitely enjoy living on the island! The museums on Saadiyat Island house some of the most famed pieces of art that will definitely mesmerize you with their architectural beauty. The Louvre’s first international outpost is located on the island and in less than a year since its opening has already gained praise for its curatorial choices and quality of exhibitions, not to mention its Jean Nouvel design.
Meanwhile, Manarat Al Saadiyat has long been a popular venue for various art fairs such as the international and annual Abu Dhabi Art. One of the more iconic buildings, however, is the Frank Gehry designed UAE pavilion, just outside Manarat. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and the Zayed National Museum are some of the other highly-anticipated attractions on Saadiyat Island.
Currently, one of the most well-attended events is best known for being home to the internationally renowned Abu Dhabi Art, a fair that attracts exhibitors from all over the world. The location of the art fair, Manarat Al Saadiyat is also home to several performances by culturally significant artists, while the New York University Abu Dhabi also hosts touring groups that bring international-level performances to the city.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
While there’s a lot of reasons to love moving to this beautiful island, it’s important to consider everything about life here. Being one of the most luxurious neighbourhoods in the capital, rents here can be higher than in other parts of the city. It can also be a little far from the main island for those doing a daily commute for work.
FAQs about Saadiyat Island
Where is Saadiyat Island located?
Saadiyat Island is located at an 11 km from Abu Dhabi.
How far is Saadiyat Island from Yas Island?
Sadiyat Island is around 35 km from Yas Island. It takes around 36 minutes to reach there.
How far is Saadiyat Island from Abu Dhabi?
Saadiyat Island is itself located on island of Abu Dhabi. From the mainland, it is around 30 minutes away.
What to do in Saadiyat Island?
Out of the various activities, hitting the beach is the most popular. You can enjoy watersports at Saadiyat Island Beach or just sit back, relax and watch the sunset. Those fond of art and culture can check out Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manaret Al Saadiyat and Zayed National Museum.
Can I find a free beach in Saadiyat Island?
Saadiyat Island Beach is a public beach open throughout the week. There is a nominal entrance fee of AED 25 for adults and AED 15 for kids.
Location
- Conveniently located only 10 minutes away from Yas Island
- Mainland Abu Dhabi is at a distance of roughly 20 minutes
- For travellers, the Abu Dhabi International Airport is under 30 minutes away