Aldar Properties is the largest publicly listed real estate development and management company in Abu Dhabi. Established in 2004 and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Aldar develops, manages, and invests in residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and educational assets across Abu Dhabi and, increasingly, in other UAE and international markets.
Business Model
Aldar operates through two primary platforms. Aldar Development manages the company’s real estate development activities, delivering new residential communities, commercial buildings, and mixed-use projects. Aldar Investment manages the company’s portfolio of income-generating assets including shopping malls, office buildings, hotels, and schools. This dual model provides both development profits from new projects and recurring income from managed assets.
Major Projects
Aldar’s project portfolio includes some of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent developments. Major residential communities include Yas Island residential developments, Saadiyat Island residential developments, Al Raha Beach, and Yas Acres. The company has also developed landmark commercial and mixed-use projects including the Yas Mall, Al Raha Beach commercial district, and the HQ building (the distinctive circular building on Al Raha Beach).
Scale
Aldar’s total asset base and market capitalisation make it one of the largest real estate companies in the Gulf region. The company has expanded significantly through acquisitions, including the 2022 acquisition of Ras Al Khaimah-based developer RAK Properties and the expansion into international markets including Egypt and the United Kingdom.
Government Relationship
Mubadala Investment Company is a significant shareholder in Aldar. The company works closely with Abu Dhabi government entities on major development projects and has served as a master developer for government-designated development areas.
Role in Vision 2030
Aldar supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 by delivering the physical infrastructure — residential communities, commercial districts, retail centres, and hospitality venues — that a diversifying economy requires. The vision’s objectives in tourism, financial services, technology, and human capital all depend on high-quality built environments that attract residents, businesses, and visitors. Aldar’s development activity translates the vision’s strategic ambitions into the buildings and communities where economic activity occurs.