Mubadala Investment Company, an Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, and Aldar have formed a landmark joint venture to expand Al Maryah Island, marking the next phase of growth for the international financial district and reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s status as the ‘Capital of Capital’ on the global stage.
With a gross development value exceeding $16 billion (AED 60 billion), the north side of Al Maryah Island holds the final undeveloped bank of land, which spans almost 500,000 sqm.
A Mixed-Use Vision: Office, Retail, Residential, and Hospitality Spaces
The project will comprise 1.5 million sqm of new office, residential, retail, and hospitality space, seamlessly integrating commerce, community, and lifestyle, and further elevating Al Maryah Island’s distinctive blend of international business and luxury living.
The mixed-use development will significantly enhance ADGM, Abu Dhabi’s international financial center, and the region’s leading IFC. ADGM has experienced unprecedented momentum, with more than 11,000 active licenses now registered in the free zone, positioning it among the fastest-growing financial hubs worldwide.
Demand for space is exceptionally strong, with almost 40,000 individuals already based within the financial district. The expansion of Al Maryah Island will deliver more than 450,000 sqm of additional Grade A office space – effectively doubling the island’s total supply and reinforcing its position as a leading global financial hub.
The expansion will further enhance Al Maryah Island’s position as Abu Dhabi’s leading lifestyle and business destination, introducing new experiences that build upon the island’s fully integrated urban ecosystem. Already home to The Galleria — the capital’s premier luxury shopping destination, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, ACTIVE – one of the UAE’s largest and most advanced urban sports hubs, and the UAE’s most Michelin Guide-awarded dining location; Al Maryah Island will continue to redefine modern city living with an additional 40,000 sqm of experiential luxury retail, dining, and a world-class marina.
At the forefront of the island’s next phase is the Al Maryah Waterfront enhancement project, featuring a striking bay fountain with water shows soaring up to 75 metres high. This new centrepiece will anchor a reimagined coastline, adding vibrant dining, leisure, and event spaces that complement the island’s existing energy and appeal.
Mubadala and Aldar’s Commitment to Shaping Abu Dhabi’s Future
Dr. Bakheet Al Katheeri CEO – UAE Investments Platform Mubadala
“The Mubadala-Aldar landmark joint venture marks a defining moment in realizing the full potential of Al Maryah Island. As Abu Dhabi’s premier business and lifestyle destination, Al Maryah has always embodied Mubadala’s long-term commitment to cultivating globally competitive, future-ready destinations. By unlocking the island’s final major landbank, we are accelerating its evolution into one of the world’s most dynamic financial and lifestyle hubs — expanding its commercial strength, enhancing its residential and retail offering, attracting international investors, and reinforcing its vital role at the heart of Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification journey.”
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar, said that, “This expansion represents a pivotal milestone for Abu Dhabi’s continued growth as a global financial centre, with ADGM at its heart. With Mubadala and Aldar’s proven track record in master planning and delivering iconic destinations, we are collaborating to create a world-class, mixed-use environment that will attract leading businesses, investors, and talent from around the world. It will support the UAE’s vision for a diversified and knowledge-based economy while enhancing the capital’s allure as a place to live, work, and invest.”
“This landmark expansion of Al Maryah Island marks a pivotal step in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s standing as a global capital for finance. With ADGM at the heart of this transformation, the development reflects our ambition to create one of the world’s most progressive and connected financial districts, an ecosystem where international institutions, investors, and innovators can thrive. This next chapter reinforces Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic vision and accelerates our journey in shaping a dynamic, future-ready hub that sets new global benchmarks for growth, opportunity, and impact,” noted Salem Al Darei, Chief Executive Officer of ADGM Authority.
