Sobha Realty Launches AED 40 Billion Sobha City in Abu Dhabi's Al Bahia—Phase 1 Opens with 400+ Units, Q4 2029 Delivery

Project Overview & Status

Unveiled in April 2026, Sobha City is a AED 40-billion nature-led waterfront community in Al Bahia representing the most significant single development launch in Abu Dhabi's recent history. The 38 million square foot master-planned residential development in Al Bahiya will be developed as a low-density, nature-led community, with the first phase covering around 8 million square feet and wider project designed as a self-contained 'city within a city'.

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.

Product Types & Configuration

Phase 1 comprises 470 homes across three unit types: 100 standalone villas, 100 townhouses, and 270 waterfront apartments. Phase 1 starting prices include 1 Bedroom Apartments from AED 1.31 Mn, 2 Bedroom Apartments from AED 2.40 Mn, 3 Bedroom Garden Villas from AED 4.96 Mn, 4 Bedroom Garden Villas from AED 8.07 Mn, 4 Bedroom Estate Villas from AED 9.05 Mn, 5 Bedroom Estate Villas from AED 11.58 Mn, and 6 Bedroom Estate Villas from AED 13.44 Mn.

Phase 1 features three distinct residential communities — The Orchard, The Terraces, and River Cove Residences — with Orchard villas including a private swimming pool, private lift, double or triple garage, guest bedroom on the ground floor, formal living room, maid's room with bathroom, and rooftop terrace. The project will have 80 exclusive mansions, which will go on sale later.

Payment Plan & Possession

Sobha City offers a 60/40 payment plan: 60% during construction and 40% on handover. The booking amount is 20%. Handover is scheduled for December 2029.

All properties are freehold and open to all nationalities, with a 60/40 interest-free payment plan. Sobha City falls within an Abu Dhabi designated investment zone, granting foreign buyers full freehold ownership with no requirement for local sponsorship.

Location & Infrastructure Context

Located along the E10 and E12 corridor near Zayed International Airport and Yas Island, Sobha City will be developed as a low-density, nature-led community. The Al Bahia community has emerged as a new neighbourhood on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi and is part of the Al Shahama district.

Abu Dhabi added approximately 7,000 residential units in 2025—significantly below market demand levels, with Sobha City Phase 1 entering this market with approximately 400 units in a corridor that already hosts significant population demand from Yas Island employment, tourism, and the airport zone.

The location is 13 minutes from Yas Mall and 14 minutes from the airport, with attractions like Ferrari World, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World under 15 minutes away, while Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island are within 25 minutes.

Amenities & Community Design

Around 60 percent of the masterplan will be dedicated to green and open spaces, including more than 50,000 trees, landscaped areas and shaded walkways, and will also include an 18km wellness loop, pedestrian-first pathways and a two-kilometre waterfront promenade with an integrated marina.

Sobha City will include a mix of waterfront apartments, villas and mansions aimed at both residents and investors, and will also include schools, healthcare facilities, mosques and a Par-3 golf course designed by Greg Norman Golf Course Design. Residents have access to a 20 km wellness loop, a 2 km waterfront promenade, a Par-3 golf course, multi-sport courts, jogging and cycling tracks, open-air fitness zones, community lounges, an amphitheater, and children's play areas.

Developer Track Record

Sobha Realty has operated in Dubai since 2003, providing a 20+ year regional track record with 30+ completed projects and a vertical integration model that controls construction, finishing, and facility management in-house. The parent company Sobha Limited has delivered approximately 148 million square feet completed across 467 projects, spanning apartments, villas, townships and plotted developments in 27 Indian cities and the Middle East, and in thirty years has never abandoned a single project in India.

The company built its reputation on a vertical integration model where in-house teams handle construction, joinery, interior finishing, and facility management rather than outsourcing to third-party contractors, designed to provide tighter quality control and consistent delivery standards.