Chapman Taylor's Saadiyat Beach District Residences project has moved to the construction phase, marking a new development within Saadiyat Island's expanding cultural and residential landscape. This waterfront project, part of the broader Saadiyat Island masterplan for Nael & Bin Harmel, situated near Abu Dhabi's urban center, will introduce a range of residential options, including apartments, townhouses, and villas.
Saadiyat Island, planned by the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, is a cultural and residential development covering 27 square kilometers. Designed to support a community of over 150,000, it combines urban spaces with natural landscapes, hosting cultural institutions such as Ateliers Jean Nouvel's Louvre Abu Dhabi, which presents an international art collection, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Other upcoming projects include the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, designed by Foster + Partners and anticipated to open to the public in 2025, offering insight into the UAE's cultural heritage, and the Mecanoo-designed Natural History Museum, dedicated to global biodiversity, also expected to be completed by 2025.
Saadiyat Island is also planning to integrate interactive and digital experiences at teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, performing arts at the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center. The Island also features an inclusive religious space at the Abrahamic Family House, which promotes interfaith understanding. Together, these projects contribute to Saadiyat's profile as a cultural and educational center in the Middle East.
The Saadiyat Beach District Residences align with this broader vision. With 14,000 square meters allocated for retail and dining, this new project aims to create an accessible center for residents and visitors. Chapman Taylor's design for the residences incorporates a contemporary Islamic architectural style, integrating community amenities with natural features, such as nearby beaches and mangroves, to foster an environment where residential space and natural surroundings intersect. The development, led by Aldar and Prime Engineering, seeks to balance modern living with Saadiyat Island's cultural heritage and ecological landscape. As more projects continue to shape Saadiyat's growth, the island aims to evolve as a focal point in the Emirates where community, art, and circular living meet along Abu Dhabi's coastline.
In other similar news, Muraba and RCR Arquitectes, recipients of the 2017 Pritzker Prize, have just announced their collaboration on Muraba Veil, a modern architectural project in Dubai. Additionally, Coop Himmelb(l)au has been selected to lead the architectural design for the new Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Finally, Foster + Partners has just unveiled the designs of two neighboring residential towers also in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
