Abu Dhabi Announces Dh6 Billion 'The Wadi' Community on Yas Island Amid Major Expansion

A new Dh6 billion residential community named The Wadi has been unveiled for the Yas Canal area, promising thousands of new homes alongside a hotel, waterfront spaces, and recreational facilities. This large-scale development arrives as Yas Island prepares for a massive expansion phase over the coming years, which includes the anticipated arrival of the Middle East's first Disney theme park and resort, as well as Sphere Abu Dhabi.

Spanning a 140,700 square metre site, The Wadi will feature 3,950 homes ranging from studios to one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The community's design draws direct inspiration from the UAE's natural wadis, placing a strong emphasis on landscaping, water features, and expansive outdoor areas. Developed by Cosmo Developments—a joint venture between Abu Dhabi-based Flag Holding Group and Reportage Group—the project will be overseen and managed long-term by Reportage.

Situated along the emerging Yas Canal waterfront residential area, The Wadi will offer convenient access to major transport hubs and attractions. According to developers, the location is approximately five minutes by car from Zayed International Airport, nine minutes from Ferrari World Yas Island, and roughly 23 minutes from central Abu Dhabi. Residents will also find themselves in close proximity to existing island attractions such as Ferrari World, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, and Yas Waterworld.

The project will be delivered in phases, with the first two residential buildings—designated E1 and E2—set to contain a combined 530 apartments. Building E1 will house 383 homes across 10 floors, while Building E2 will feature 147 homes across eight floors. The handover for this initial phase is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2030. Alongside the residences, the master plan incorporates commercial, recreational, and sports facilities, plus a hotel.

The announcement of The Wadi coincides with a period of transformative growth for Yas Island. In May 2025, Disney announced that Abu Dhabi would host its seventh global theme park resort. Developed and built by Miral with creative design by Walt Disney Imagineering, the waterfront resort will blend classic Disney storytelling with local culture, coastline, and architecture.

Additionally, Sphere Abu Dhabi is slated for completion by the end of 2029. The $1.7 billion venue, positioned between Yas Mall and SeaWorld, will accommodate up to 20,000 people and host concerts, immersive experiences, and sporting events. Concurrently, a major Harry Potter expansion is coming to Warner Bros World Yas Island in 2029, adding a 63,000-square-metre indoor land featuring Diagon Alley, Hogwarts, and the Forbidden Forest. These projects form the bedrock of Miral's broader development pipeline extending through 2040.