Al Maryah Island, previously known as Sowwah Island, is a main business and lifestyle area known for its organized layout and well-planned infrastructure. It brings together workspaces, homes, healthcare and retail outlets in one area.
About Community
Al Maryah Island is a well-developed business and lifestyle area in the middle of Abu Dhabi. The community is built by Mubadala Investment Company and is known as the city’s financial hub with Abu Dhabi Global Market operating here. The island feels complete and organised with high-end residential towers and Grade A office spaces close to each other.
The lifestyle in this community is comfortable and well-planned with good facilities that suit a mixed, international community. The location is central with easy access to key areas of the city and major roads, so daily travel stays simple. The area is known for steady demand, especially from professionals due to its structured environment and strong infrastructure.
Key Features
Al Maryah Island is divided into clear sections for finance, healthcare and residential living, so everything feels organised and easy to navigate.
- Around 114 hectares of natural island space
- Abu Dhabi Global Market zone for global business
- Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi located within the island
- About 5.4 km long waterfront walkway
- Direct bridge to Al Reem Island
- Large shopping mall with premium retail brands
- Easy access to E12 highway for city travel
Entertainment and attractions
Al Maryah Island is a place where people can spend time outside work. Most things are located close together, so moving between shops, cafes and open spaces feels easy and quick.
- The Galleria Al Maryah Island
This mall is right on the island, so it takes around 2-5 minutes to reach from most buildings.
- Waterfront Promenade
The 5.4 km walkway runs around the island itself, so it is always within walking distance.
- ACTIVE Masdar City & Reem Links
These sports areas are across the bridge and usually take about 10-15 minutes by car.
- Rosewood & Four Seasons Hotels
Both hotels are on the island, around 3-5 minutes away. They’re known for their restaurants and lounge spaces, where people go for business meetings or quieter dinners.
- Al Reem Island Central Park
This park is about 5 minutes away by car on Al Reem Island. There are green areas, play zones for children and spots that host small outdoor markets from time to time.
Future of Community
Al Maryah Island is adding new buildings and the infrastructure is getting better step by step. A large development worth over AED 60 billion is now under construction on the northern side of the island. It is expected to add more than 1.5 million square metres of space, including close to 3,000 waterfront homes and additional Grade A office towers.
Getting in and out of the island is also set to become easier. Three new bridges are planned to connect it better with Al Reem Island and the main Abu Dhabi city, helping make travel faster and smoother. There are also plans for the Abu Dhabi Light Rail to include a stop here. This will give people another simple way to move around the city without depending only on cars while the area continues to grow in a more connected and organised way.
Structure of the community
Al Maryah Island is planned in a structured way with clear zones for work, living and healthcare, so movement across the island stays smooth and organised.
- The Financial Core (ADGM Square)
Main business area with office towers and the stock exchange.
- Integrated Lifestyle & Retail Hub
The Galleria mall is located in the middle, linking different areas through indoor walkways.
- Residential Waterfront Clusters
Homes are placed along the water, offering better views and quieter surroundings.
- The Healthcare District
The eastern side includes Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and related facilities.
Why choose off-plan projects in Community?
On Al Maryah Island, people are looking at off-plan properties because of the price difference between early-stage units and ready homes. Prices at launch are usually around 15% to 20% lower than completed luxury apartments nearby. Payment plans here are simple and organized, following 30/70 or 40/60 formats. A smaller part is paid during construction and the remaining amount is paid at handover. Many projects are expected to be completed between late 2026 and late 2028.
Buyers enter early while the area is expanding, so prices can adjust as new workspaces, homes and layouts are coming. The constant demand from professionals around Abu Dhabi Global Market also keeps rental activity active. This makes off-plan projects easier to position for both future use and rental once completed.
Off-plan projects in Community
Here are some of the main residential projects which are under construction on Al Maryah Island.
- W Residences by Taraf
Branded residences with 1-5-BR units and penthouses. Handover is expected in Q4 2027 with hotel-style services.
- St. Regis Residences
Waterfront project offering 1-4-BR apartments and duplexes. Planned completion is around Q4 2028.
- Reportage Tower
A 36-floor tower with 2-5-BR apartments and townhouses. Expected handover in Q4 2028.
Amenities and Facilities
Most facilities at Al Maryah Island are nearby, so people can manage fitness, relaxation and social time without going far.
- Aquatic Facilities: Multiple pools, including lap pools and kids splash areas
- Fitness & Wellness Centers: Gyms, sauna, steam rooms and indoor yoga spaces
- Sports & Athletics: ACTIVE hub with football, tennis and basketball courts
- Green Spaces & Parks: Landscaped parks with shaded seating and open areas
- Waterfront Recreation: 5.4 km walkway for jogging, cycling and walks
- Social & Dining Venues: Cafes, lounges and restaurants across the island
- Family & Children’s Zones: Safe play areas and indoor entertainment spaces
Infrastructure and Connectivity
Al Maryah Island is connected through bridges to the main city and nearby areas like Al Reem Island.
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Highway (E12): Around 15 km to Saadiyat Island and Yas Island
- Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10): Easy route to the mainland and connects to E11 toward Dubai
- Zayed International Airport (AUH): About 35 km, roughly 25 minutes by car
- Al Reem Island: Just 2 km away, around 5 minutes by car
- Yas Island: Around 28 km, about 20-25 minutes drive
Investment Insights
The island is around 114 hectares and has a limited number of residential projects, while a large number of professionals work inside Abu Dhabi Global Market. This supports rental activity with apartment yields usually between 6.5% and 8.2%. Smaller units like studios and 1-BR tend to see higher returns while larger homes stay steady with long-term tenants.
The island is connected by E10 and E12 which also supports short-term stays due to easy airport access within about 25 minutes. Waterfront projects get slightly higher rental pricing. As new projects are added in the coming years, demand is expected to stay closely connected to the increase in business activity and number of professionals in the area.
Tips for buyers
These basic points help in making a more informed investment decision.
- Service Charges: Usually higher, so check past and expected costs
- Escrow Check: For off-plan, confirm payments go to approved escrow accounts
- Parking: Confirm number of parking spaces, especially for bigger units
- Rental Rules: Check if short-term leasing is allowed
- ownership: Area allows full foreign ownership, but always confirm
