Abu Dhabi: Aldar Properties has successfully completed the sale of a residential building at Mamsha Gardens to Hong Kong-based real estate private equity firm GAW Capital Partners, marking a significant transaction valued at AED586 million. This marks GAW Capital's inaugural investment in the United Arab Emirates, highlighting the increasing global interest in Abu Dhabi's real estate sector, particularly within the Saadiyat Cultural District and Aldar's growing residential portfolio.
According to Emirates News Agency, the building, which is part of the Mamsha Gardens development in the Saadiyat Cultural District, comprises 71 apartments and townhouses, offering a total sellable area exceeding 16,000 square metres. This transaction is indicative of a broader trend of rising interest from Asia-based investors in Abu Dhabi's real estate market. Aldar's proactive engagement with this investor base is credited with showcasing high-quality developments and providing attractive investment opportunities, thereby enhancing the customer experience.
Buyers from China and Hong Kong have been pivotal in this trend, accounting for AED1.5 billion of Aldar's total UAE development sales in 2024, marking a more than 30-fold increase compared to 2022. This strong momentum continued into the first quarter of 2025, with sales already reaching AED1.3 billion. This rapid growth reflects the increasing demand from both overseas and resident Chinese and Hong Kong buyers, reinforcing Abu Dhabi's allure to a strategically important and emerging segment of international investors.
Rashed Al Omaira, Acting Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), commented on the emirate's strengthening position as a preferred destination for international real estate investment. He attributed this to Abu Dhabi's robust regulatory framework, economic stability, and a growing pipeline of high-quality assets. The entry of new global investors is seen as a testament to the maturing landscape of the emirate's real estate sector and highlights the confidence in Abu Dhabi as a long-term, value-driven market.
Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer at Aldar Properties, emphasized the significance of this transaction. He noted that it underscores the strength of Aldar's development platform and the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi's increasingly mature real estate market to global investors. In the first quarter of 2025, 87 percent of Aldar's UAE sales came from international buyers, illustrating the global interest in Abu Dhabi's real estate offerings.
Christina Gaw, Managing Principal of Global Head of Capital Markets and Co-Chair of Alternative Investments at GAW Capital Partners, expressed optimism about the investment. She highlighted the potential for growth and innovation in the dynamic Middle East market and affirmed GAW Capital's commitment to leveraging its expertise to drive value creation and sustainable development in the region.
The transaction exemplifies Aldar's continued capability to partner with a diverse range of international players and attract international capital flows across its platform.