Saadiyat Island apartments: Nobu Residences and The Source Terraces by Aldar, two years on

In three years Saadiyat Island has gone from "the island with the Louvre" to the most expensive residential address in Abu Dhabi. Two Aldar launches illustrate the shift: the Nobu-branded beachfront scheme and The Source Terraces in the cultural district, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group. Both sold out; both complete in 2027.

Nobu Residences

Aldar announced its tie-up with Nobu Hospitality in November 2022 and opened sales a year later. The beachfront project pairs 88 private residences — one- to three-bedroom apartments, lofts, sky villas and penthouses — with a Nobu hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar. Launch prices were reported from about AED 7m, with penthouses in the tens of millions. Completion is expected in 2027; sources differ on the half-year.

The Source Terraces

Launched in June 2024 as an extension of The Source line in Saadiyat Grove, the Terraces offered one- to four-bedroom apartments of roughly 110 to 580 sq m with sea and museum views, built to the Fitwel wellbeing standard. Entry was around AED 3m on a 10/50/40 plan. It is now sold out, with handover expected in Q3 2027. Completed phases of the same line nearby, such as The Source II, are a useful benchmark for how the format prices once delivered.

	Nobu Residences	The Source Terraces
Launch	Nov 2023	Jun 2024
Product	88 homes + Nobu hotel	1–4 bed, 110–580 sq m
Launch entry	≈ AED 7m	≈ AED 3m
Handover	2027	Q3 2027

Why Saadiyat keeps repricing

The cultural district is finally filling in, beachfront land is nearly gone, and the next large phase — Marsa Al Saadiyat — will take years. The emirate-wide backdrop helps too: the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre reports repeat-sale apartment prices up 20% year on year to mid-2026. The island's beach also now features in global rankings, as we covered in Saadiyat Beach in the world's top 20.

Buying a resale contract

• Handover payment. 30–40% of the price falls due on keys. You inherit it; plan for cash or a mortgage — Abu Dhabi banks now lend during construction.
• Service charges. A Nobu-operated building will cost noticeably more to run than a standard one. Ask for the projected charge before you sign.
• Letting. Saadiyat is a long-let market for high-income families; short-term letting in a branded building depends on the operator's rules.

Prices, listings and completed schemes: Saadiyat Island.