Aldar's 16 active Abu Dhabi communities span Yas, Saadiyat, Al Reem, Al Raha and Al Ghadeer — from AED 480k studios to AED 32M beachfront villas. Here is the 2026 community map and off-plan split.
Aldar Communities in Abu Dhabi — The 2026 Map
Aldar Properties is Abu Dhabi's dominant master developer, with active residential communities spanning Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Raha Beach, Al Reem Island (Shams), Al Ghadeer, Jubail Island and parts of Masdar City's residential precincts. The portfolio covers apartments, townhouses and villas from AED 480,000 entry studios in Al Ghadeer to AED 32 million beachfront villas in Saadiyat Beach. This guide maps every active Aldar community, the off-plan vs handed-over split, and how the communities compare on price, product type and buyer profile. The data is directory-derived and neutral; Abu Dhabi Investment Properties, Reportage Properties, IMKAN Properties and Modon Properties provide alternative developer diversity in the capital.
Aldar Community Table — Area, Product, Price Band, Status
| Community | Area | Product Type | Price Band (AED) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayan | Yas Island | Apartments (studios to 3BR) | 950,000 – 2,100,000 | Handed over |
| Ansam | Yas Island | Apartments (studios to 3BR) | 1,050,000 – 2,400,000 | Handed over |
| West Yas | Yas Island | Villas (4–6BR) | 4,200,000 – 9,500,000 | Handed over |
| Yas Acres | Yas Island | Villas (3–6BR) | 3,200,000 – 12,500,000 | Phases handed; new phases off-plan |
| Yas Golf Collection | Yas Island | Apartments + townhouses | 1,650,000 – 6,800,000 | Phased handover |
| Saadiyat Beach | Saadiyat Island | Villas + premium apartments | 1,800,000 – 32,000,000 | Phases handed; new phases off-plan |
| Saadiyat Cultural District | Saadiyat Island | Apartments + villas | 1,400,000 – 22,000,000 | Phased handover |
| Saadiyat Grove | Saadiyat Island | Apartments | 1,250,000 – 3,800,000 | Phased handover |
| Shams (Gate Towers) | Al Reem Island | Apartments | 720,000 – 1,950,000 | Handed over |
| Al Bandar | Al Raha Beach | Apartments + townhouses | 1,200,000 – 3,500,000 | Handed over |
| Al Muneera | Al Raha Beach | Apartments + beach villas | 1,400,000 – 6,800,000 | Handed over |
| Al Zeina | Al Raha Beach | Apartments + townhouses | 1,050,000 – 4,200,000 | Handed over |
| Al Dana | Al Raha Beach | Apartments | 950,000 – 2,800,000 | Handed over |
| Khor Al Raha | Al Raha Beach | Premium apartments | 1,650,000 – 5,500,000 | Phased handover |
| Al Ghadeer | Abu Dhabi–Dubai border | Apartments + townhouses | 480,000 – 1,600,000 | Phases handed; new phases off-plan |
| Jubail Island | Between Yas and Abu Dhabi island | Villas + apartments | 1,250,000 – 5,800,000 | Phased handover |
Off-Plan vs Handed-Over Split
Roughly 60% of Aldar's active residential stock is handed over; 40% is in off-plan phases. Handed-over stock dominates in Al Reem (Shams), Al Raha Beach (Al Bandar, Al Muneera, Al Zeina, Al Dana), Yas (Mayan, Ansam, West Yas) and Saadiyat Beach. Off-plan activity concentrates in Yas Acres new phases, Yas Golf Collection, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Grove, Khor Al Raha, Al Ghadeer new phases and Jubail Island. Off-plan pricing typically runs 10–20% below comparable handed-over stock; see our off-plan vs ready guide for the decision framework.
Which Aldar Community Is Cheapest?
Al Ghadeer — studios from AED 480,000 and townhouses from around AED 1.4 million. Al Ghadeer sits on the Abu Dhabi–Dubai border, making it popular with Dubai commuters and first-time buyers priced out of the island markets. The trade-off is the commute (30–40 minutes to the Corniche) and a more limited retail and lifestyle scene than Yas or Saadiyat.
Aldar Villas vs Apartments — The Portfolio Split
Aldar's villa portfolio concentrates in Yas Acres, West Yas, Saadiyat Beach, Saadiyat Cultural District, Jubail Island and Al Muneera (beach villas). Apartment portfolio spans Mayan, Ansam, Yas Golf Collection, Saadiyat Grove, Saadiyat Cultural District towers, Shams (Gate Towers), Al Bandar, Al Muneera, Al Zeina, Al Dana, Khor Al Raha, Al Ghadeer and Jubail Island. Villas command premium pricing (AED 3.2M–32M); apartments are accessible from AED 480,000.
Aldar Service Charges — How They Compare
Aldar's service charges typically run AED 12–22/sqft/year for apartments and AED 8–15/sqft/year for villas, depending on community. Yas towers sit mid-band (AED 14–20); Saadiyat towers sit at the upper end (AED 18–25); Al Ghadeer and Masdar residential sit at the lower end (AED 9–14). The full Abu Dhabi comparison is in our service-charges guide.
Is Aldar Good for Investment?
For stability, yes — Aldar's brand and master-planned infrastructure support steady rental demand and predictable resale cycles. For maximum yield, no — smaller developers and older Al Reem stock typically deliver higher per-sqft yields. Aldar suits investors who value brand, infrastructure and exit liquidity above peak yield. Abu Dhabi Investment Properties and Reportage Properties report that Aldar communities typically rent faster and resell faster than equivalent non-Aldar towers, which narrows the yield gap over a full hold cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Aldar community is cheapest in 2026?
Al Ghadeer — studios from AED 480,000, townhouses from around AED 1.4 million. The trade-off is the commute and a more limited retail scene.
What new off-plan launches does Aldar have in 2026?
New phases in Yas Acres, Yas Golf Collection, Saadiyat Cultural District, Saadiyat Grove, Khor Al Raha, Al Ghadeer and Jubail Island. Specific launches vary; verify with Aldar or an approved brokerage before reserving.
Aldar villas or apartments — which is better for investment?
Apartments typically deliver higher per-sqft yield; villas typically deliver stronger capital appreciation. Aldar's villa portfolio suits long-hold end-users; apartment portfolio suits yield-led investors.
What are Aldar service charges in 2026?
AED 12–22/sqft/year for apartments, AED 8–15/sqft/year for villas, depending on community. Saadiyat sits at the top; Al Ghadeer sits at the bottom.
Is Aldar better for investment than other Abu Dhabi developers?
For stability and exit liquidity, often yes. For maximum yield, smaller developers and older Al Reem stock typically outperform. Choose by strategy, not by brand.
Where to Look Next
AE Profile lists Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi Investment Properties, Reportage Properties, IMKAN Properties, Modon Properties and one other approved Abu Dhabi real-estate firm in the real-estate category — counts from our live directory of 963 UAE listings, re-checked quarterly. For the Aldar-vs-Emaar developer comparison see our Aldar vs Emaar guide; for the broader Abu Dhabi freehold hub see our freehold zones guide.
Aldar OA Stability — A Material Advantage
Aldar-developed towers tend to have more stable owners' associations than towers from smaller developers, for three reasons: (a) Aldar's master-planned communities have larger unit counts, which spreads the OA's fixed costs across more owners; (b) Aldar's handover process includes detailed OA documentation and the initial OA board setup; (c) Aldar's property-management arm often serves as the initial OA manager, providing continuity through the first 3–5 years post-handover. The result: Aldar towers typically have fewer OA disputes, more predictable service-charge cycles, and more stable sinking-fund balances. Abu Dhabi Investment Properties brokers report that buyers prioritising OA stability routinely pay a 3–5% premium for Aldar towers over comparable non-Aldar towers in the same community.
Aldar Resale Liquidity — The Brand Pays Off Here
Aldar towers resell faster than comparable non-Aldar towers in the same community, primarily because the Aldar brand attracts buyer attention in a crowded listing market. Reportage Properties and Abu Dhabi Investment Properties brokers report that Aldar towers on Yas, Saadiyat and Al Reem typically spend 20–30% less time on the market than non-Aldar towers with similar specifications. The liquidity advantage is most pronounced in the mid-band (AED 1–3 million apartments) where the buyer pool is largest; in the premium villa segment (AED 8M+), the liquidity advantage narrows because buyers in that segment are more brand-agnostic. For buyers who may need to sell within 3–5 years, the Aldar liquidity advantage is a material factor in choosing an Aldar tower.
Aldar's Strategic Direction — 2026 and Beyond
Aldar's 2026 strategy emphasises three themes: (a) deepening its Yas and Saadiyat portfolio with new phases in Yas Acres, Yas Golf Collection, Saadiyat Cultural District and Saadiyat Grove; (b) expanding into emerging zones like Jubail Island and Fahid Island through partnerships; (c) growing its property-management and facilities-management arm to capture recurring revenue from its handed-over stock. The strategic direction matters for buyers because it signals where new supply will concentrate (potentially affecting existing-stock pricing) and where Aldar's brand investment will deepen (potentially supporting resale liquidity). Buyers considering a 7–10 year hold should review Aldar's most recent annual report and investor presentation for the latest strategic direction.
Does Aldar offer post-handover payment plans?
Yes, on select projects — typically 50/50 or 60/40 with the post-handover portion paid over 12–36 months after key handover. Post-handover plans reduce buyer cash-flow pressure but slightly increase the total price (the post-handover portion is sometimes marked up 2–5%). Verify current post-handover availability with Aldar Properties or an approved brokerage.
Can I buy an Aldar property through a non-Aldar broker?
Yes — Abu Dhabi Investment Properties, Reportage Properties and other approved brokerages sell Aldar properties. Direct-from-developer purchases are also possible. Broker purchases may offer promotional terms (waived admin fees, post-handover plans) that direct purchases do not; compare both before reserving.
Aldar Portfolio Strategy — Which Communities to Combine
Investors building Aldar-only portfolios typically combine communities across the price-yield spectrum: an Al Ghadeer studio for entry-price yield, a Yas or Al Reem 1-bedroom for mid-band yield, and a Saadiyat or Yas Acres villa for appreciation and prestige. The diversification across price bands smooths the portfolio's yield-and-appreciation profile. Abu Dhabi Investment Properties brokers report that Aldar-only portfolios of 3–5 units typically deliver blended gross yields of 5.5–7% with stable appreciation across cycles. The advantage of staying within Aldar's portfolio is OA-stability consistency and resale-liquidity consistency; the disadvantage is concentration in a single developer. Reportage Properties and other brokerages can help structure diversified portfolios that include non-Aldar developers like IMKAN Properties and Modon Properties for broader exposure. See our Aldar vs Emaar guide for the developer-comparison dimension.