Abu Dhabi stands as a city where modernity blends with tradition; a place where gleaming skyscrapers rise alongside serene waterfronts and culturally significant landmarks. The capital of the UAE is renowned for its visionary architecture, ambitious island developments (the city is made up of more than 200 natural and man-made islands), and extensive infrastructure connecting its sophisticated neighbourhoods.
Home to a range of remarkable mega projects, Abu Dhabi continues to expand its influence with a host of upcoming developments, all aimed at continuing the city’s evolution into a global hub of innovation, culture, and sophistication. Read on to explore the most impressive mega projects currently transforming Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi
Set to be the largest of the Guggenheim museums upon completion, this Saadiyat Island mega project will unfold across 30,000 square metres and – it is hoped – serve as a bridge for international understanding. The development is located next to another cultural behemoth in the shape of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, adding to the neighbourhood's slew of iconic cultural attractions.
First envisioned in 2006 as part of an agreement between the Abu Dhabi government and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in New York City, the project is set for completion in late 2025 and will be home to almost 30 galleries, spanning multi-disciplinary collections from all corners of the earth.
Sitting on a peninsula on the western tip of Saadiyat Island, the project is flanked on three sides by the Persian Gulf, making this one of the most unique settings for any museum anywhere in the world. The development has, unfortunately, experienced a raft of delays since it was announced; however, with construction now well underway, the project will eventually function as a centre for the appreciation of art and technology, in addition to a modern children's education facility. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will also house archives, a library and research centre and a conservation laboratory, making this one of the most important mega projects currently under construction in the Emirati capital.
Ramhan Island
Located on the northern side of the city, just off Al Jubail Island, sits Ramhan Island. The area is still largely undeveloped, but big things are on the horizon, evidenced by a new $3.5 billion development from EMAAR founder Mohammed Alabbar and his private company, Eagle Hills.
The mega project will comprise 1,350 stand-alone villas, 1,000 apartment residences, a hotel, and a marina with capacity for 170 vessels, complemented by a range of lifestyle services. Upscale beachside villas will feature prominently, while the world-class marina will provide berthing services for many of the community’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals. A boardwalk and a curated mix of fine dining establishments will add further sophistication to the area.
Set across 4,000 square metres, ground was broken on this impressive project in 2023, and full handover is expected in the middle of 2027. Floor spaces for villas are expected to range from around 3,000 to 7,500 square feet, with most boasting three to seven-bedroom layouts. Lifestyle and sustainability will be a key theme running throughout the project, which will also benefit from nature-focused designs – the community will integrate the area’s natural mangroves and lagoons, thus preserving the marine ecosystem. Furthermore, wellness-oriented facilities will be positioned throughout the community, in addition to parks, promenades and cycle tracks.
eSports Island
While plans for a dedicated eSports island at Al Raha Beach have been announced by True Gamers, no official government announcement (i.e. land acquisition and construction permits) has yet been made.
The proposed development, close to the iconic Yas Island and Zayed International Airport, will reportedly include an upscale gaming hotel, training facilities for those who wish to make a career through gaming and boot camps for players who want to level up their skills. Costing a reported $280 million (with a wider cost of $1 billion depending on final scope), the development will also include content creation studios and accommodations customised towards gaming professionals, which will reportedly include gaming PCs in each room.
As of late 2025, the project has yet to break ground, but True Gamers have revealed that further announcements will follow in the near future.
Zayed National Museum
Located in Abu Dhabi’s cultural heartland of Saadiyat Island, Zayed National Museum will function as a celebration of the United Arab Emirates. The project walks visitors through 300,000 years of human history courtesy of authentic storytelling, while also promoting the lessons of Sheikh Zayed by showcasing the traditions and customs of the Emirati people.
Designed as a memorial to the late founder and first president of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the museum is planned to be the centrepiece of Saadiyat’s cultural district and will promote the history and culture of the country, in addition to the economic miracle witnessed throughout the country’s recent history.
Scheduled for opening at the end of 2025, the museum invites researchers from around the world to apply for funding, while also boasting a comprehensive community outreach program designed to enable citizens and residents to explore the heritage of the United Arab Emirates.
The project has been in the pipeline for almost two decades and was first set for completion in 2012. However, similar to Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the museum has been met with various delays, but now, finally, the end appears to be in sight. The museum is set across 66,000 square metres, and is designed by prize-winning architect Norman Foster. Made up of five towers inspired by the falcon’s wings – an animal deeply revered in Emirati culture – the development will rise between 83 and 123 metres into the Saadiyat sky. With six galleries and exquisite views of the surrounding island, Zayed National Museum is one of the most highly anticipated mega projects in the city.
Zayed International Airport Expansion Project
Formerly Abu Dhabi International Airport, Zayed International is one of the fastest-growing aviation hubs in the world, with direct flights to all inhabited continents. While the airport is now fully operational, it has, since 2005, undergone a huge expansion project geared towards facilitating the UAE’s impressive economic rise.
Currently, the airport enables the transit of almost 30 million passengers annually, but with the rapid growth of not just the city, but the UAE on the whole, expansion was necessary. By 2030, it is hoped the airport will be able to handle more than 45 million passengers per year, with upgrades to existing facilities and preparation for future needs also a key aspect of the development plan. With infrastructure in place, it is hoped that Zayed International will eventually be able to comfortably accommodate up to 80 million passengers per year. This will complement the reported 250 million per year passenger capacity of Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport, another UAE mega project currently in the works.
One huge new terminal (Terminal A) has been added – with more than 100 destinations available globally – while terminals 1, 2 and 3 will all be used as backup terminals in case of emergency. The project also takes into account the surrounding infrastructure: Potable water upgrades have complemented the construction of new airstands, as well as landside roads and carparks, and upgrades to the in-flight catering building. Furthermore, a new customs border protection facility for USA-bound flights has been implemented, while expansions to the existing power complex and an upgrade to the airport’s perimeter fence round out the expansion.
Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences
While not a mega project in the strictest sense of the word when compared with other much bigger projects, Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences makes this list due to the significance and anticipation of a residential development which shares the name of such a culturally iconic institution.
Also located on Saadiyat Island, within touching distance of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences represent one of the most highly anticipated residential projects anywhere in the city.
Seamlessly blending with the surrounding landscape thanks to the stringent environmental standards which govern new developments in the area, the residences will feature a range of responsibly sourced materials within their design.
It is hoped these high-end residences will attract those who value both culture and exclusivity; the project will boast a 5-star residential cinema, infinity pool and health and wellness facilities such as a state-of-the-art fitness centre, sauna and pilates studio, while also being conveniently located just seconds from the best of Saadiyat’s cultural district.
Abu Dhabi – much like its near neighbour Dubai – is experiencing an unheralded economic boom. With the addition of numerous mega projects in the near future, the city is set to continue its rapid growth. Some commentators are suggesting that this is simply the start of things to come – an exciting prospect for the city and its residents.
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