Sobha Realty Launches $10.89 Billion Sobha City Development in Abu Dhabi

Sobha Realty has announced its expansion into Abu Dhabi’s real estate market with the launch of Sobha City, a master-planned residential development valued at $10.89 billion (AED40 billion) in Al Bahia.

This project represents a major step for the UAE-based luxury developer as it moves beyond its established footprint in Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. It is the company’s first large-scale residential development in Abu Dhabi and its 16th master-planned community worldwide.

Covering around 38 million square feet, with an initial land area of approximately 8 million square feet, Sobha City is strategically located along the E10 and E12 highways, providing access to Zayed International Airport and Yas Island. The development is designed as a low-density, nature-focused community that prioritizes family living, sustainability, and integrated planning.

The masterplan includes about 7,000 residential units, comprising roughly 4,000 apartments and 3,000 villas. Housing options will range from waterfront apartments to estate villas, garden villas, and mansions. The project will be delivered in phases, with the first phase accounting for about one-third of the total units and expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2029.

Prices for apartments are expected to start at $357,000 (AED1.31 million), while villas will begin at $1.35 million (AED4.96 million).

A strong focus is placed on environmental design, with around 60 percent of the development dedicated to green and open spaces. Plans include more than 50,000 trees, landscaped areas, and shaded walkways to enhance comfort and livability. An 18-kilometre wellness loop and pedestrian-friendly pathways are also central features, encouraging active lifestyles and community interaction.

The development will include key infrastructure such as three international schools, healthcare facilities, mosques, and an executive par-3 golf course designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design, accompanied by a collection of 80 mansions.

A major highlight is the two-kilometre waterfront promenade and a 130-berth marina, creating a mixed-use destination that combines residential, retail, and leisure elements. Additional amenities will include a shopping mall and various social and lifestyle spaces to support a fully integrated community.

According to company leadership, the project reflects Sobha Realty’s long-term approach to building design-driven communities that emphasize quality of life. The development also strengthens the company’s position in Abu Dhabi, where population growth, investor-friendly policies, and rising demand for integrated lifestyle communities continue to drive the market.

The launch of Sobha City follows the company’s recent expansion in Dubai with the Sobha Sanctuary project in Al Yufrah, valued at $13.61 billion (AED50 billion). Together, these developments underline Sobha Realty’s continued focus on large-scale community projects aligned with the UAE’s long-term urban growth and evolving housing demand.