Abu Dhabi’s residential property market is entering what could be its most active launch period on record. Around 30 projects are expected to come to market over the next 90 days, according to analysis by Metropolitan Capital Real Estate, the Abu Dhabi-based agency within the Metropolitan Group. The pipeline could deliver AED 33 billion to AED 45 billion of new inventory before year-end, averaging roughly one new launch every three days.
The volume, however, may matter less than what sits behind it. Metropolitan’s analysis suggests the market is maturing: buyers are weighing location, design, community amenities, developer track record and long-term value rather than simply chasing launches.
“What we are seeing in Abu Dhabi is not simply a large number of new projects coming to market. It is a sign of how quickly the market itself is maturing. With around 30 launches expected over the next 90 days, buyers will have more choice than ever and that changes the conversation. Abu Dhabi is increasingly becoming a product market. The projects that will perform are not necessarily those that sell out the fastest, but those that offer the right combination of location, quality, pricing, lifestyle and long-term value. The fundamentals are encouraging. Off-plan remains the dominant part of the market, while resale activity and repeat-sale values are also growing. For us, the most important signal is that demand is becoming more diversified and more informed. As we move into 2027, we expect the market to become increasingly selective, and ultimately, the product will decide,” Evgeny Ratskevich, CEO of Metropolitan Capital Real Estate said in a statement.
The numbers from this year show significant momentum. According to developer reports and Metropolitan’s registry analysis, more than AED 40 billion of residential property has been sold since January.
Modon’s Hudayriyat Golf Estates led the field with more than AED 13 billion in sales. Ohana’s Manchester City Yas Residences Phase 1 followed at around AED 6 billion, and Aldar’s Talay, Talay Beach and Yas Riva Reserve combined for more than AED 5 billion.
Eagle Hills’ Ramhan Island (around AED 2 billion), ORA’s BAYN (AED 1.8 billion) and Modon’s Tara Park (AED 1.4 billion) also featured, with more than 40 other launches accounting for roughly AED 14 billion.
Data from ADREC and Metropolitan’s analysis shows that between January and mid-September, approximately 82 per cent of transactions were off-plan, while resale transactions rose around 34 per cent year-on-year. Off-plan resales have nearly tripled over the same period, and repeat-sale prices have risen approximately 20 per cent for apartments and 12 per cent for villas. Buyers from 116 nationalities have been active in the market.
Regulatory infrastructure has kept pace. Transactions are run through DARI, Abu Dhabi’s official digital property platform. Listings are verified via Madhmoun, the city’s digital permit and MLS system. Off-plan payments are held in escrow.
A framework introduced in September allows buyers who have paid 50 per cent on an off-plan unit to finance the remainder during construction. ADREC has also expanded the number of designated investment zones to 50.
Looking toward 2027, Metropolitan expects phased launches and slower sales pacing to replace the race to sell out on launch day. It also anticipates buyers gravitating toward complete districts rather than individual towers, branded and serviced living moving into the mainstream, wider financing access, and fresh capital from international developers and infrastructure projects including Etihad Rail.
“In a market this active, not every project will win and that is a sign of health, not risk. The buyers who do well in 2027 will be the ones who ask which product is right for them, not how fast it sold,” Ratskevich added.
