Sobha City Abu Dhabi Launch – ₹10.8 Bn Waterfront Community
Sobha Realty's Entry Into Abu Dhabi
Sobha Realty announced its entry into Abu Dhabi with the unveiling of Sobha City, a master-planned community and the developer's first large-scale residential development in the UAE capital, rooted in a 50-year legacy of craftsmanship. The Dh40-billion nature-led waterfront community is located in Al Bahia, close to Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, and will feature 4,000 apartments and 2,500 villas, with prices for one-bedroom units starting from Dh1.3 million for apartments and Dh4.69 million for 2,557-sqft villas.
The project marks the developer's first large-scale community in Abu Dhabi, expanding its footprint beyond Dubai and Umm Al Quwain into a market that continues to see steady residential demand.
Location and Connectivity
Al Bahia lies approximately 20-30 kilometres from downtown Abu Dhabi and about 10 minutes' drive from Zayed International Airport. The project will have strong connectivity to the E10 and E12 corridors. The location being next to Yas Island puts residents into a prime location within minutes away from world-renowned attractions like Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Yas Mall.
Scale and Composition
Sobha City is a 38 million square-foot master-planned waterfront community in Al Bahiya designed around low-density living, green space and long-term residential demand. Sobha City will have 80 exclusive mansions, which will go on sale later. Phase 1 is now live, comprising 470 homes across three unit types: 100 standalone villas, 100 townhouses and 270 waterfront apartments, with handover scheduled for December 2029.
Green Space and Wellness Infrastructure
Sobha City will dedicate around 60 per cent of its total area to open and green space, with more than 50,000 trees, landscaped zones and shaded walkways. The master plan also includes an 18-kilometre wellness loop designed to encourage pedestrian movement and outdoor activity. A two-kilometre waterfront promenade and marina district will anchor the community, alongside schools, healthcare facilities, mosques and an executive par-3 golf course designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design.
Community and Amenities
The community will also include schools, healthcare facilities, mosques and retail spaces within the development. The project prioritises low-density living and green spaces, featuring residential areas, retail outlets, and leisure facilities.
Developer Background
Established in 1976 as an interior decoration firm in Oman by the visionary entrepreneur PNC Menon, the company has grown its presence with developments and investments in the UAE, Oman, and India. For five decades, Sobha Realty has been redefining the real estate value chain through 'Backward Integration' by leveraging its inherent in-house capabilities of design, development and construction. Globally recognised for its proprietary Backward Integration model, Sobha Realty maintains full control over design, engineering, and construction processes in an approach that has consistently delivered superior quality and above-market performance across its portfolio.
The launch expands Sobha Realty's UAE footprint, adding to projects including Sobha Hartland and Sobha Siniya Island.
Market Demand
Francis Alfred, managing director of Sobha Realty, said the UAE capital faces a shortage of residential units due to its growing population, and this project will help meet demand. He added that the Abu Dhabi property market is mainly driven by international investors, accounting for 60 per cent of buyers, with UAE residents making up the remaining 40 per cent.
Abu Dhabi delivered one of its strongest residential market performances on record, supported by a sharp increase in transaction volumes and values across both completed and off-plan properties. Off-plan sales accounted for a growing share of activity, reflecting strong developer confidence and robust buyer appetite across a broad range of price points.
Vision and Design Philosophy
Each residence will follow its "Art of Detail" design approach, supported by its in-house backward integration model covering design, engineering and construction. Ravi Menon, chairman of Sobha Group, said the entry into Abu Dhabi reflects long-term confidence in the emirate's development trajectory. "Abu Dhabi holds a unique position as a city that balances cultural authenticity with forward-looking ambition," he said.