finance
Abu Dhabi Commercial Investments Signal Shifts for Local Businesses and Shoppers
Aldar and Mubadala projects on Al Maryah, Yas and Saadiyat Islands will add office and retail space that residents and small operators should track for access and costs.
How we reported this
Aldar Properties will spend $1.4 billion on new Grade A office, retail and hospitality buildings across Al Maryah, Yas and Saadiyat Islands, with completion targeted for 2027. The developer also joined Mubadala in $8.2 billion joint ventures that include a new island community off Saadiyat and Yas plus a $2.5 billion retail platform.
Abu Dhabi authorities approved nearly 75 million square meters of new development in 2025, up 137 percent from the prior year. New business licences on the mainland rose 21 percent in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, led by professional and commercial sectors.
Projects that will shape daily access
One Maryah Place, a two-tower development on Al Maryah Island, will deliver 98,000 square meters of office space inside the Abu Dhabi Global Market freezone. More than 100,000 square meters of additional office supply is scheduled for 2025 at Masdar City Square and Yas Place, both already showing pre-commitment activity. A separate $1.4 billion industrial logistics park is planned near Zayed International Airport.
These additions sit alongside existing Grade A buildings that reached 97 percent occupancy across Aldar’s portfolio. The central business district recorded an 8 percent year-on-year rise in Grade A rents by the end of 2024.
What the numbers mean for residents
Higher occupancy and rising rents point to tighter supply in prime locations, which can push smaller firms toward newer peripheral sites. The retail platform and island community projects will eventually increase shopping and service options on Yas and Saadiyat, though delivery dates remain tied to the 2027 horizon.
Residents planning to open or expand a business should review current licensing rules and compare rents across the mainland and the new island zones before signing leases.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.