Over the past year, Abu Dhabi has become one of the most active and closely watched real estate markets in the region. According to DARI, the capital has recorded over AED 61 billion in sales so far in 2025 – a staggering 202% increase in just five years. This surge has been driven more by value than volume, as a growing wave of buyers and family offices – particularly from Europe and the UK – turn to the capital as a considered, low-density alternative to the frenetic pace of Dubai.
The pull here is manifold: the coastline remains largely undeveloped and natural, and the city’s infrastructure vision is shaped by cultural depth, with globally-renowned museums, galleries, and liveable masterplans anchoring its long-term outlook. Together, these elements are fuelling a market that has until now remained relatively untapped, pushing price ceilings higher with every quarter.
In September, we answered this momentum with the official launch of Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty, with a new headquarters confirmed for Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental. It feels fitting, then, that our first major transaction in the capital would also set a record. Shortly after launching, the team closed the AED 200 million sale of a penthouse in the Four Seasons Private Residences Saadiyat. At AED 14,000 per square foot, it is the most expensive penthouse ever sold in Abu Dhabi – a milestone that reflects both the strength of the market and the scale of ambition unfolding along its shores.
Inside Abu Dhabi’s Most Expensive Penthouse – Four Seasons Saadiyat Private Residences
Branded residences routinely command some of the highest prices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Four Seasons has been central to that ascent. Scheduled for completion in 2029, this landmark penthouse unfolds over 14,240 sq. ft. and has panoramic views over the blue arc of Saadiyat Beach. Inside, there’s a private cinema, wellness spa, fitness studio, and office suite – with every room opening onto deep, shaded terraces.
The broader project is developed by Alain and designed by renowned local architects, Killa Design – the award-winning studio behind Museum of the Future, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, and Address Beach Resort in Dubai. Here, their design approach feels more restrained and organic than the urban silhouettes that define much of their portfolio, rooted deeply in the natural landscape.
Killa Design described the vision for Four Seasons Saadiyat as one that “responds to the land” rather than imposes upon it – and the result does exactly that. Each residence is positioned to maximise privacy and dual-aspect orientation, while shaded courtyards, reflection pools, and passive cooling strategies ensure year-round liveability, even in the height of summer.
As might be expected from Four Seasons, owners will also have access to a suite of extraordinary amenities, including a cigar lounge, private cinema, meeting spaces, padel court, golf simulator, and a children’s play pavilion.
A Changing Market with Branded Appetite
Alongside its more urban counterpart on Al Maryah Island, Four Seasons Saadiyat speaks directly to the new wave of buyers reshaping Abu Dhabi’s prime market: globally minded, design-conscious, and drawn to sustainable, long-term livability. That shift is reflected in the numbers – Four Seasons now accounts for the majority of the AED 14.7 billion in branded residence sales that Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty completed in the capital this year, with demand spanning the GCC, Europe, North America, and Asia.
"After witnessing Dubai’s tremendous economic growth over the past few years, Abu Dhabi is now primed to step into the spotlight,” said George Azar, CEO and Chairman of UK, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Saudi Arabia Sotheby’s International Realty. “The emirate has positioned itself as a key investment and financial hub, supported by the rise of family offices and visionary government planning in culture, sustainability, and infrastructure. This is a natural transition for us.”
Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty is helmed by Managing Director Leigh Borg – one of Dubai’s most accomplished super-prime agents. "It is a privilege to lead Abu Dhabi Sotheby’s International Realty as we establish ourselves in one of the world’s most exciting real estate markets,” he said.
He added, “Abu Dhabi is undergoing a remarkable transformation – from world-class cultural landmarks like the Louvre and Guggenheim to its rise as a global financial hub through ADGM and ADQ. It is becoming a destination of choice for discerning homeowners and international investors alike. Our mission is to deliver the same world-class expertise, discretion and service that have defined Sotheby’s International Realty globally, while tailoring our approach to the unique character and opportunity of Abu Dhabi."
Final Thoughts – A Milestone With Meaning
To launch in Abu Dhabi with a landmark sale is not a moment we take lightly. As we build on the trust and successes we’ve established over the years in Dubai, the UK and Saudi Arabia, we look forward to continuing that legacy here in the capital, growing purposefully with the care and discretion that have long defined our name.
