Emaar boss Mohamed Alabbar to transform Italian castle into luxury resort: Report

Alabbar confirmed the purchase of the Castello di Antognolla in Umbria, Italy

Staff Writer

November 18, 2025

Mohamed Alabbar is the Founder of EMAAR, Eagle Hills, Noon and is the Chairman of Americana.

Article summary

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Mohamed Alabbar, the developer behind Dubai's Burj Khalifa, has purchased the Castello di Antognolla in Umbria for $55 million. He intends to invest up to $145 million to transform the 12th-century site into a luxury resort with a hotel, homes, and other amenities.

Key points

Mohamed Alabbar purchased an Italian castle for $55 million.
He intends to invest up to $145 million to develop a resort there.
The resort will feature a hotel, homes, polo club, and golf course.

Mohamed Alabbar, founder of Emaar Properties, has bought an Italian castle for about $55 million and plans to commit up to $145 million developing a resort there, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Alabbar, who heads Emaar Properties PJSC and Abu Dhabi-based Eagle Hills Properties LLC, confirmed the purchase of the Castello di Antognolla in Umbria.

He stated the investment is his own and not through either company.

Mohamed Alabbar buys Castello di Antognolla in Umbria

Alabbar plans to revamp Antognolla, which dates back to a Benedictine monastery in the 12^th century, into a hotel.

The project at Castello di Antognolla includes a hotel, a wellness resort, a wellness and longevity centre of 3,000 square metres, homes, a polo club, and other amenities. He plans to build more than 80 homes that will overlook the castle and an 18-hole golf course.

The developer spoke to Bloomberg News, confirming his aims for the site. “I’m planning to build one of the resorts in the world,” Alabbar told the news service. The destination would draw visitors with fashion shows and competitions for chefs, truffles, and wine.

Alabbar founded Emaar in 1997, becoming a central figure in Dubai’s property revolution and forging ties with the emirate’s ruler. He built neighbourhoods and tourist attractions like the Burj Khalifa.

The executive also built ties with Abu Dhabi’s royal family, sometimes joining delegations accompanying the president of the United Arab Emirates as he met with world leaders.

Alabbar’s Eagle Hills continues a push worldwide. It plans to invest $6 billion to build projects in Georgia. Belgrade Waterfront, a development of restaurants, apartments, and shops on the banks of the river Sava, is built by the company.

In January, the firm announced a more than $12 billion expansion of that project. The firm is also developing projects in Albania, Croatia, Latvia, Bahrain, Ethiopia, and Morocco, among other places.

In addition, Alabbar is partnering with Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and Eagle Hills to build Trump Tower Belgrade, which will include a 175-room hotel with 1,500 residences.