Al Hudayriyat Island tops Abu Dhabi property sales in first half of 2026

Al Hudayriyat Island led property sales in Abu Dhabi during the first half of 2026, recording sales worth Dh19 billion ($5.2 billion). This figure represents approximately 27 percent of all residential units sold in the UAE capital, according to a midyear report from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec). The island’s performance highlights the continued resilience of the property market in the face of ongoing regional tensions, including the Iran war. Sales figures for other key islands were also notable. Saadiyat Island saw sales amounting to Dh13.3 billion, while Reem Island and Al Maryah Island combined for Dh10.5 billion. Yas Island, home to upcoming attractions such as Disneyland Abu Dhabi and Sphere Abu Dhabi, recorded sales of Dh7.3 billion. These figures underscore the varying levels of activity across different areas within Abu Dhabi. Investment zones played a significant role in the market, contributing 22 percent of the total housing supply, approximately 72,000 units, during the period. Reem Island led among these zones with around 27,500 units, followed by Al Raha Island, Yas Island, and Saadiyat Island. Adrec noted that the overall residential supply in Abu Dhabi rose by nearly 3 percent compared to the previous year, reaching about 409,000 units. Residential unit sales in the sector totaled Dh70.4 billion, with more than 90 percent of these transactions involving off-plan projects. Looking ahead, Adrec expects an additional 71,000 units to enter the market by 2030, with peak deliveries anticipated in 2028. Adrec Director General Rashed Al Omaira emphasized that while numerical data provides insight into market dynamics, deeper analysis of trends and their implications for stakeholders is essential. The property sector continues to serve as a vital component of Abu Dhabi’s economy and the broader UAE. Despite external pressures, the industry has maintained its momentum, drawing in both local and international investors. The UAE was recently ranked as the top real estate investment destination globally, according to the UAE Property Investment Index published by Arada in June. To bolster market stability, Adrec introduced measures in July to freeze rent increases for residential, commercial, and industrial properties, except for those managed by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), such as Al Maryah Island and Reem Island. Additionally, Adrec approved eight new investment zones in the first half of 2026, raising the total number to 50. The regulator also registered 28 new real estate developments, marking a 16 percent increase from the previous year and creating fresh opportunities for investors. The hospitality sector in Abu Dhabi also demonstrated robust performance, with the highest occupancy rates in the UAE during the first half of 2026. Hotel operators focused on increasing domestic guest numbers, resulting in an estimated 66.8 percent occupancy rate in the UAE capital for the first six months. This rate remained stable at 65.2 percent in June, according to consultancy JLL. The strength of the property market is not limited to Abu Dhabi alone. In Dubai, the Dubai Land Department reported a 52 percent year-on-year increase in investments in completed real estate projects, totaling Dh111 billion across 104 developments in the first half of 2026. Similarly, in Ras Al Khaimah, where the residential sector generated Dh12.3 billion in sales last year, hotel occupancy rates reached nearly 50 percent in the first half of 2026, as reported by JLL.