The Al Jaber Group is now clearing the ground for infrastructure development of Saadiyat Island, the 27 sq km natural island lying just 500 m offshore Abu Dhabi city.

Saadiyat Island (Island of Happiness in Arabic) is the flagship project of the newly formed Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) charged with overseeing the transformation of this unique natural asset into a strategic international tourism destination.
The Dh128.45 million ($35 million) enabling works contract, which is expected to take nine months to complete, includes site clearance, demolition of existing structures, re-routing of services, fencing erection, and the construction of temporary roads, offices and security gates.
“The commencement of enabling works is a visible demonstration of our commitment to ensure the timely transformation of this unique natural asset,” says TDIC director general Mubarak Al Muhairi. “We anticipate making more construction announcements (shortly) and also intend to release a major tender for the dredging and bulk earth filling works.”
Saadiyat Island is considered to be the largest single mixed-use development in the Gulf. The natural island is half the size of Bermuda and represents one of the most important development opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s history. The island, which has 30 km of water frontage and boasts many natural eco-features, including mangrove forests, is being developed as a strategic international tourism destination and marks a new era in the rapid evolution of Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Island will be developed in three phases with total completion scheduled for 2018. The master plan envisages six highly individual districts and features 29 hotels, including an iconic seven-star property, three marinas with combined berths for around 1,000 boats, museums and cultural centres, two golf courses, civic and leisure facilities, sea-view apartments and elite villas.
Saadiyat Island is expected to be home to a community of more than 150,000. It will be linked to the main Abu Dhabi island and the Abu Dhabi mainland via two, 10-lane freeways making the destination easily accessible to Abu Dhabi International Airport.