What Is Maryah Island?
Maryah Island (formally Al Maryah Island) is Abu Dhabi's international financial centre — a purpose-built business district that houses the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), Abu Dhabi's internationally recognised financial free zone with its own legal system based on English common law. The island is home to the regional headquarters of numerous global banks, law firms, and financial institutions, as well as the iconic Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi and The Galleria mall.
In 2024, Aldar Properties and Mubadala Investment Company announced a landmark joint development valued at AED 60 billion that will significantly expand the island's residential and mixed-use offering over the next decade. This is one of the largest single development commitments in Abu Dhabi's history, backed by two of the emirate's most powerful institutions.
The Investment Thesis
Maryah Island's investment case is unique in Abu Dhabi. Rather than tourism or lifestyle demand, the island's residential market is driven by the wealth and professional requirements of the financial sector. ADGM's growing roster of licensed firms, the concentration of senior banking and legal professionals, and the premium they command in accommodation all underpin demand for premium residential product on or near the island.
The AED 60 billion Aldar-Mubadala development will bring significant new residential supply to the island and its immediate surroundings over the next 10 years. Early buyers in the development's initial phases have historically captured the best pricing — the pattern seen at Saadiyat Island is likely to repeat here.
Current Residential Product
Current residential options on Maryah Island are limited and very premium — primarily targeting senior executives and high-net-worth buyers who want direct access to the ADGM ecosystem. As the Aldar-Mubadala development progresses, a wider range of products and price points will become available. For investors willing to move early on one of Abu Dhabi's most strategically important development projects, Maryah Island represents a compelling long-term play.
At a Glance
Why Buy Here
- ADGM financial hub — institutional demand driver
- AED 60B Aldar-Mubadala development
- Four Seasons and The Galleria on-island
- Ultra-premium tenant quality
- Backed by two sovereign-linked developers
- English common law ADGM free zone
Watch Out For
- Very high entry prices — limited accessibility
- Residential supply still limited
- Long development horizon (10+ years)
- Financial sector demand can be cyclical
- Less lifestyle variety than Saadiyat or Yas
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The Verdict
Maryah Island is Abu Dhabi's most institutionally anchored investment story. The ADGM free zone, the AED 60 billion Aldar-Mubadala commitment, and the Four Seasons anchor make this one of the most fundamentally sound long-term property plays in the UAE. It is not for buyers seeking quick returns or accessible entry — it is for investors with capital, patience, and confidence in Abu Dhabi's long-term trajectory as a global financial centre.