Founded in 2004, Aldar Properties PJSC quickly emerged as a pillar of Abu Dhabi’s strategic development plans. It was created with backing from the Abu Dhabi government and listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2005. This alignment with the emirate’s long-term vision (Abu Dhabi Vision 2030) positioned Aldar to drive economic growth and social infrastructure development. In its early years, Aldar launched ambitious projects that put Abu Dhabi on the global map, and a notable merger with Sorouh Real Estate in 2013 further solidified its status as the emirate’s dominant developer. Today, Aldar stands as Abu Dhabi’s leading real estate developer, with a diverse portfolio spanning residential, commercial, retail, leisure, and educational assetsaldar.comaldar.com.
Leadership and Vision
Aldar is helmed by Talal Al Dhiyebi, the Group Chief Executive Officer, under the guidance of Chairman H.E. Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. The leadership has been instrumental in expanding Aldar’s footprint beyond Abu Dhabi – under Al Dhiyebi’s tenure, the company has ventured into new markets like Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Egypt, and even the UK. Aldar’s vision is to be a leading real estate developer and manager in the region, creating quality, inclusive destinations where people can live, work, and visitaldar.com. Its mission focuses on developing integrated communities that enrich the lives of residents and visitors, in line with Abu Dhabi’s development blueprint. This mission is supported by a sustainable business model centered on two core segments: Aldar Development (which manages a land bank of ~65 million m² and develops Abu Dhabi’s most desirable destinations) and Aldar Investment (which holds an AED 16 billion portfolio of income-generating properties across retail, residential, and commercial sectors)aldar.comaldar.com. By balancing development sales with recurring investment income, Aldar’s strategy ensures steady growth and resilience in a cyclical market. The company has also aligned itself with innovation by launching Aldar Ventures to incubate new business ideas, and it actively supports government initiatives (such as middle-income housing and national housing programs) to fulfill wider socio-economic goalsaldar.com.
Pioneering Projects and Developments
From its inception, Aldar has been behind some of the UAE’s most pioneering real estate projects. A standout achievement was the completion of the Aldar Headquarters (HQ) building in 2010 – the first circular skyscraper of its kind in the Middle East. This iconic 23-story discus-shaped building, located in Al Raha Beach, showcased Aldar’s innovative approach to architecture and put a spotlight on Abu Dhabi’s modern skyline. On Yas Island, Aldar spearheaded the development of world-class attractions: it built the Yas Marina Circuit (home to Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi) and Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s first Ferrari-branded theme park, which opened in 2010. These landmark projects were not only engineering feats but also catalysts for Abu Dhabi’s tourism and leisure industry. Aldar’s early portfolio also included Al Raha Beach (a massive waterfront community development) and Al Raha Gardens (one of the emirate’s first master-planned villa communities), as well as the redevelopment of the downtown Abu Dhabi Central Market into a modern souq and tower complex. Each of these projects was considered ground-breaking at the time, either for their scale, design, or the new market segment they created.
Notable Projects and Communities
Over the years, Aldar has developed and delivered a diverse array of projects that define Abu Dhabi’s urban and suburban landscape. On Yas Island, in addition to the famed attractions, Aldar delivered Yas Mall (Abu Dhabi’s largest mall) and a range of residential communities such as Ansam and Yas Acres, transforming the island into a vibrant destination for leisure, living, and entertainment. On Saadiyat Island, Aldar has been a key player in the island’s emergence as a cultural and luxury residential hub – it is behind projects like Mamsha Al Saadiyat (a seafront community near the Louvre Abu Dhabi) and has introduced unique concepts such as Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences, the first residences branded by the iconic museum. In Al Raha Beach, Aldar’s developments like Al Bandar, Al Zeina, and Al Muneera have set the standard for waterfront living in the UAE capital. Aldar also took the lead in developing Shams Abu Dhabi on Reem Island (delivering towers such as The Gate & Arc, Sun & Sky, and The Bridges apartments), creating a new downtown residential district. Beyond the main island, Aldar’s Alghadeer project provides affordable family homes on the Abu Dhabi–Dubai border, and the West Yas community offers villas for Emirati nationals. Many of these projects are frequently cited among Abu Dhabi’s top real estate developments, underscoring Aldar’s reputation for quality.
In recent years, Aldar has continued to launch notable developments that push boundaries. It unveiled The Sustainable City – Yas Island, a pioneering eco-friendly community in partnership with Diamond Developers, bringing carbon-neutral living concepts to Abu Dhabi. It has also launched planned communities in Dubai – for example, the Haven development (its first major project in Dubai) and The Wilds at Dubailand – as part of a 2023 joint venture with Dubai Holding. Internationally, Aldar’s growth strategy led to the acquisition of Egypt’s Sodic (a leading Cairo-based developer) and London Square in the UK, marking Aldar’s first entry into the London property market. These moves signal Aldar’s ambition to extend its real estate expertise globally while exporting its brand of quality. Whether it’s a super-regional mall, a theme park, a luxury seafront villa, or an affordable housing project, Aldar’s developments share a common thread: they are built to world-class standards and master-planned for long-term community value.
Core Values and Culture
At the heart of Aldar’s operations is a strong set of core values that drive its decision-making and corporate culture. The company prides itself on being customer-centric and community-focused, designing its projects around the needs of residents and tenants to consistently exceed expectationsaldar.com. This approach is evident in the family-oriented amenities and thoughtful urban planning in Aldar’s communities. Innovation is another cornerstone of Aldar’s ethos – from architectural innovation (as seen in projects like Aldar HQ) to business innovation through its Aldar Ventures unit, the company embraces new ideas and technologies to stay ahead of the curve. Quality is non-negotiable for Aldar: it maintains rigorous standards in construction and design, earning a reputation for reliable delivery and craftsmanship. At the same time, Aldar strives to offer affordable housing options alongside its high-end developments, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and diversity in its offerings. Notably, Aldar has delivered thousands of mid-income and government-backed housing units, ensuring that its growth benefits a broad segment of the population.
Sustainability is ingrained in Aldar’s corporate DNA. The firm is dedicated to sustainable development practices – from green building initiatives to large-scale sustainable communities – aligned with the UAE’s environmental goals. Aldar was among the first in the region to adopt sustainable building standards and continues to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints across its portfolio. It has published sustainability reports highlighting efforts in resource efficiency, and it supports events like Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to drive industry-wide progress. Internally, Aldar fosters a culture of integrity, transparency, and responsibility. It operates with high standards of governance and has robust ethics and compliance programs, reflecting its belief in long-term trust and value creationaldar.comaldar.com. By prioritizing stakeholders – from customers and business partners to shareholders and the local community – Aldar ensures its business growth is inclusive and resilient. These core values of innovation, customer focus, quality, sustainability, and social responsibility have earned Aldar numerous awards over the years and, more importantly, the trust of homebuyers and investors. They remain the guiding principles as Aldar continues its journey of shaping skylines and communities for future generations.
