MERED analysis shows the island accounted for 49% of transactions during Summer 2026 as waterfront living, growing amenities and closer integration with Abu Dhabi’s financial centre strengthen its residential appeal
Abu Dhabi, UAE; 10 September 2026 – Al Reem Island is increasingly offering the mix homebuyers look for in an established neighbourhood – waterfront living, proximity to Abu Dhabi’s financial district, parks, schools, retail, dining and everyday services alongside a rapidly expanding off-plan residential market. That evolution is being matched by strong buyer activity, with 1,291 of Abu Dhabi’s 2,658 off-plan apartment transactions during Summer 2026 recorded on the island, according to proprietary market analysis by MERED, an award-winning international real estate developer.
Residential activity has accelerated sharply over the past two years. Approximately 139,000 sqm of off-plan apartments were sold on Al Reem Island during Summer 2026, compared with 34,000 sqm in Summer 2024, representing a more than fourfold increase.
Across Abu Dhabi, approximately 308,000 sqm of off-plan apartments were sold during Summer 2026, 2.4 times the volume recorded in Summer 2024. Al Reem Island alone accounted for approximately 45% of the total area sold during the period.
Prices have risen alongside transaction activity. MERED’s analysis found that the average transacted price for off-plan apartments across Abu Dhabi increased by 28% between Summer 2024 and Summer 2026, reaching approximately US$7,070 per sqm.
For buyers looking beyond the apartment itself, Al Reem has steadily added many of the features associated with an established residential community. Reem Central Park brings a waterfront setting, beach and outdoor sports facilities together with a four-kilometre promenade, while the wider island includes schools, restaurants, shopping and everyday services. Reem Mall and Shams Boutik add to the retail and leisure offering, while Al Maryah Island and central Abu Dhabi are within easy reach. Zayed International Airport is approximately a 25- to 30-minute drive away.
“Al Reem Island has also taken on a larger role within Abu Dhabi’s business landscape since its inclusion within the jurisdiction of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). The UAE Cabinet expanded ADGM’s jurisdiction to include Al Reem Island in 2023, alongside Al Maryah Island. ADGM completed the integration of Al Reem at the end of 2024, with more than 1,100 businesses on the island operating under its jurisdiction by February 2025.”
Artemiy Marinin, Project Director at MERED, said, “As Al Reem matures, the benchmark for successful residential projects is changing. Buyers are becoming more selective, looking closely at how well a home is planned, how it functions day to day, the quality of construction, the amenities it offers and its long-term relevance. For developers, that means creating homes that respond to how people actually want to live, while giving projects a clear sense of distinction in an increasingly competitive market. The projects that stand out will be those that combine thoughtful design and genuine quality with a clear understanding of what residents value, and that can remain relevant as the neighbourhood continues to evolve. That is the direction we see Al Reem moving in, and it is the standard we are applying to Riviera Residences.”
The findings come amid wider growth in Abu Dhabi’s off-plan residential market. Data published by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) for H1 2026 shows that off-plan transactions accounted for 82% of residential deals and 89% of residential sales value across the emirate. The combination of rising residential demand, increasing transaction volumes, an expanding lifestyle offering and deeper integration into Abu Dhabi’s financial centre is strengthening Al Reem Island’s position as a key mixed-use district within the capital.
MERED is developing Riviera Residences on the waterfront of Al Reem Island. Designed by Swiss architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron, the development will include apartments, villas, duplexes and a penthouse and is scheduled for completion in Q3 2029.
For more information on MERED and Riviera Residences, visit mered.ae.
