A canal-front masterplan of villas, townhouses and waterfront apartments, with a Greg Norman designed golf course, a marina and around 60% of the land kept open and green.
15 minutes from the announced Disneyland Abu Dhabi site. Anticipated completion December 2029. Phase 2 EOIs now open, deadline Friday 14 August.
Sobha City sits in Al Bahiya, directly across from Yas Island: home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Ferrari World, SeaWorld, Warner Bros World and the announced Disneyland Abu Dhabi and Sphere Abu Dhabi. Minutes from all of it, in a calm, green residential community rather than the middle of a tourist destination.
15 minDisneyland Abu DhabiAnnounced site, approx. 10km
14 minZayed International AirportApprox. 14km
13 minYas MallApprox. 11km
15 minFerrari WorldApprox. 13km
16 minSeaWorld Abu DhabiApprox. 12km
15 minEtihad ArenaApprox. 14km
Drive times and distances per the developer's location materials; approximate and traffic dependent. Disneyland Abu Dhabi was announced by Disney and Miral in May 2025 and is expected to open in the early 2030s. Read our full guide: Disneyland Abu Dhabi, everything announced so far.
Illustrative masterplanAl Bahiya district, beside Yas Island
The canal beachGreg Norman designed golfBuilt for families
The case
Why investors are watching Al Bahiya
The Disney effect, before it is built
In May 2025 Disney announced its seventh resort worldwide, on Yas Island. Around other Disney parks, nearby homes have historically carried durable price premiums, and the surrounding areas have tended to outperform their wider markets on that pull alone.
Sobha City completes in December 2029, positioned a short drive from a resort expected to open in the early 2030s. The entry point exists now, before a single ride is built.
Waterfront and golf, the two proven premiums
Water-facing homes in the UAE consistently outperform comparable inland stock, supported by genuine scarcity of waterfront land. Golf adds a second measurable premium: KPMG analysis has put homes beside a course at up to 20% above comparable homes without one.
Sobha City combines both: a canal and marina on one side, a Par-3 executive course by Greg Norman Golf Course Design, the same name behind the championship Fire and Earth courses at Jumeirah Golf Estates, on the other.
Family demand that stays
Three schools are planned within the community. Schools are the strongest driver of long-term tenancy: families who move for education renew year after year, which means fewer voids and steadier income for owners who let.
A capital the world's money is moving into
Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth funds manage well over USD 1.7 trillion. In the past year, firms including BlackRock, Man Group, Bain Capital, Barings, PGIM, Nuveen and State Street have established in ADGM, the emirate's financial centre, where assets under management rose 36% in 2025 and the district is being expanded because it is full.
The IMF's July 2026 mission praised the UAE economy's resilience through the recent regional conflict, citing sound fundamentals and policy buffers, and projects growth around 5% this year, well above the global average.
Pricing that reads like a second city, positioned like a capital
Recent releases have been priced at roughly AED 2,500 to 3,000 per square foot, around GBP 500 to 600. That is comparable with new build in central Birmingham, and a fraction of prime stock in London, New York or Hong Kong, for a brand-new waterfront home beside one of the fastest-developing leisure destinations in the world.
The residences
Three communities, one masterplan
Sobha City is released in phases across three named communities, from canal-front apartments to villas set against the golf course.
River Cove Residences
Waterfront apartments
1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments on the canal, closest to the marina and promenade. The 2-bedroom is the depth of the rental and resale market.
Phase 2, fromAED 1.5m (1-bed) · AED 2.5m (2-bed)
The Terraces
Townhouses and garden living
Garden-led townhouse neighbourhoods, several rows sitting against the golf course. The scarcest, most fought-over product at each release.
Phase 2, fromAED 5m
The Orchard
Villas and estate homes
Standalone villas up to 6-bedroom estate homes with private pools, lifts and landscaped plots, for buyers at the top of the community.
Estate villasPrice on request
Prices and payment plan
Staged payments to a December 2029 completion
Payments are spread across the build. Recent apartment releases followed roughly 60% during construction and 40% on completion; townhouses roughly 40% during construction and 60% on completion. Indicative 2-bedroom schedule from the most recent release:
Indicative structure from a recent release, based on a AED 2.5m 2-bedroom. Exact milestones and pricing are confirmed per unit at booking.
Milestone
Share
AED
Expression of Interest (refundable, deducted at booking)
70,000
On booking (10% less EOI, plus 2% registration fee)
10% + 2%
230,000
2 months from booking
10%
250,000
Instalments across construction
8 x 5%
1,000,000
On completion (anticipated December 2029)
40%
1,000,000
Phase pricing has only moved one way
Phase 1Sold out
Phase 2EOIs open
Phase 3Future
FinalFuture
Between the first two releases, 1-bedroom entry pricing moved from AED 1.31m to AED 1.5m, around 14.5%. Developers across the UAE are also absorbing rising build costs, which points to continued upward pressure on later phases. Illustration only; future pricing is set by the developer and not guaranteed.
Questions
Sobha City Abu Dhabi FAQ
Where is Sobha City Abu Dhabi located?
In Al Bahiya, Abu Dhabi, directly beside Yas Island. Per the developer's materials it is around 14 minutes from Zayed International Airport, 13 minutes from Yas Mall and approximately 15 minutes from the announced Disneyland Abu Dhabi site.
How far is Sobha City from Disneyland Abu Dhabi?
The announced resort site on Yas Island is approximately 10km, around 15 minutes by car. Disney has indicated the resort is expected to open in the early 2030s.
What are the prices at Sobha City?
Phase 2 pricing, now confirmed with EOIs open: 1-beds from AED 1.5m, 2-beds from AED 2.5m, townhouses from AED 5m. Pricing has risen with each release, so register for the current price list and floorplans.
What is the payment plan?
Staged across construction: recent apartment releases at roughly 60% during the build and 40% on completion, townhouses at roughly 40% during the build and 60% on completion. A refundable Expression of Interest secures a queue position ahead of each release.
When does Sobha City complete?
The anticipated completion date for the current residential releases is December 2029, per the developer's materials.
Can overseas buyers purchase, and is there a visa benefit?
Yes, Sobha City is marketed to international buyers and we handle the process end to end for overseas purchasers. Qualifying purchases of AED 2m or more can support an application for the UAE's 10-year renewable Golden Visa for you and your family.
When does Sobha City Phase 2 launch, and what's the EOI deadline?
Phase 2 EOIs are open now, with pricing confirmed: 1-beds from AED 1.5m, 2-beds from AED 2.5m, townhouses from AED 5m. Townhouses and villas release mid-August, apartments shortly after, and the EOI deadline is Friday 14 August 2026. Full details in our Phase 2 guide.
How does Sobha City compare to apartments on Yas Island itself?
Aldar's newest Yas Island launch, The Canopies at Yas Point, generated AED 1.5 billion at launch with 2-beds reported from around AED 3.4m. Sobha City's Phase 2 2-beds are confirmed from AED 2.5m, fifteen minutes away, outside the island's tourist congestion. The full comparison is in our Canopies guide.
What rental yields are achievable?
Gross yields on comparable new Abu Dhabi stock are commonly estimated at 8 to 9%. Actual returns depend on the unit and letting strategy and are not guaranteed.
The confirmed location, expected opening window, and what it means for the area.
Next release
Register for Phase 2 pricing before launch
Phase 1 sold out quickly and Phase 2 EOIs are now open. Register and you'll receive the Phase 2 price list, floorplans and payment plan as soon as they are issued, ahead of the wider market and with no obligation.
Phase 2 EOIs are open now. Deadline: Friday 14 August 2026.
