Sobha Realty Enters Abu Dhabi with 38-Million-Square-Foot ‘Sobha City’ Waterfront Development
Abu Dhabi, April 14, 2026: Sobha Realty has announced its inaugural entry into the UAE capital with the launch of “Sobha City,” a massive 38-million-square-foot master-planned community in Al Bahiya. The project marks a significant expansion for the luxury developer, which has spent 50 years in Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. Designed as a nature-led, low-density “city within a city,” the development focuses on a “live-connect-restore” ecosystem that blends modern infrastructure with Abu Dhabi’s coastal landscape and cultural identity, the company said in a press statement.
Strategically located along the E10 and E12 corridors near Zayed International Airport and Yas Island, the community is envisioned as a fully integrated, self-sustained environment. Approximately 60% of the masterplan is dedicated to open green spaces, featuring forest-inspired landscapes and more than 50,000 trees. To promote a lifestyle centered on movement and health, the developer has included an 18-km wellness loop and pedestrian-first pathways, ensuring a slower, more intentional pace of life for its residents.
Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group, emphasized that the move is a strategic bet on the capital’s long-term stability and cultural depth. “Abu Dhabi holds a unique position as a city that balances cultural authenticity with forward-looking ambition, and our entry reflects a long-term belief in its evolution not just as a solid real estate market, but as a place where communities can grow with family-oriented intention,” Menon said. “Sobha City has been envisioned as a living environment that feels calm, enduring, and deeply connected to its surroundings, while being future-ready.”
The masterplan features a two-kilometer waterfront promenade and an integrated marina, alongside a diverse array of amenities including schools, healthcare facilities, mosques, and an executive Par-3 golf course designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design. Residential offerings will range from waterfront apartments to expansive mansions and garden villas. Each unit is set to utilize Sobha Realty’s signature “Backward Integration” model, which keeps design, engineering, and construction in-house to ensure high-quality finishes and technology-enabled living environments.
By prioritizing privacy and connectivity, Sobha City aims to attract both families seeking permanent residences and global investors looking for enduring value. The initial phase will focus on approximately 8 million square feet of land, setting the foundation for what the developer describes as a tranquil, culturally relevant community that mirrors Abu Dhabi’s ongoing evolution as a premier global destination.
