Sobha Realty Launches 38 Million Sq Ft Waterfront Sobha City in Abu Dhabi’s Al Bahiya

Abu Dhabi: Sobha Realty has entered the UAE capital with the launch of Sobha City, a 38 million square foot residential development in Al Bahiya, the developer announced. The project is Sobha’s first large-scale community in Abu Dhabi, expanding its footprint beyond Dubai and Umm Al Quwain, and is planned as a low-density mixed-use neighbourhood located along the E10 and E12 corridor, close to Zayed International Airport and Yas Island. The masterplan will be delivered in phases, with the first phase covering around 8 million square feet.

“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,” said Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group. “Sobha City has been envisioned as a living environment that feels calm, enduring, and deeply connected to its surroundings, while being future-ready.”

Project details

Sobha City is being developed as a waterfront community with a mix of residential, retail and leisure components. Key elements disclosed by the developer include:

• A two-kilometre waterfront promenade and marina.
• Approximately 60% of the masterplan allocated to green and landscaped zones.
• More than 50,000 trees across the community and shaded walkways.
• An 18-kilometre loop designed for walking and cycling to promote active mobility within the development.
• A range of housing options including apartments, villas and larger homes.
• On-site community infrastructure including schools, healthcare facilities, mosques and retail spaces.

Sobha Realty said the development will follow the group’s in-house construction model encompassing design, engineering and build, a vertically integrated approach the firm says ensures quality control and long-term resilience. Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, framed the project as a response to current market dynamics: “As we expand our footprint into Abu Dhabi, Sobha City will be embodiment of our vertically integrated approach to development ensuring not only exceptional quality but also long-term resilience and value,” he said. “This position us strongly within a market driven by sustained population growth, investor-friendly policies, and projected increased demand for integrated, lifestyle-oriented developments.”

Context and outlook

The launch adds to Sobha Realty’s existing UAE portfolio and comes as Abu Dhabi continues to broaden its residential offering with integrated communities that combine housing, services and green space. The developer’s phased approach—starting with an 8 million square foot initial phase within the overall 38 million square foot site—signals a long-term build-out strategy. Sobha’s emphasis on waterfront amenities, extensive landscaping and internal mobility infrastructure positions the project to appeal to families and investors seeking lifestyle-oriented neighbourhoods inside the emirate.

Execution timelines and sales details for the phases were not disclosed at launch. Sobha City’s proximity to Zayed International Airport and Yas Island, together with its scale and planned amenities, mark a notable expansion for Sobha Group into Abu Dhabi’s residential market.