New Yas Island Development Brings Together Parks, Marina and Leisure Attractions.
Abu Dhabi: A new Dh6 billion mixed-use residential development has been unveiled on Yas Island. Named THE WADI, the project spans approximately 140,700 square metres and will feature 3,950 residential units, ranging from studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The master plan also includes commercial spaces, recreational and sports facilities, as well as a planned hotel.
THE WADI is being developed by Cosmo Developments, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi-based Flag Holding Group and Reportage Group. The company is fully managed and powered by Reportage Group, which will oversee the project across its entire lifecycle, from development and delivery to long-term management.
Designed as a nature-inspired destination, THE WADI takes its cues from the UAE’s distinctive landscapes and the natural movement of water through valleys. Its concept centres on the connection between land, water and life, translating these elements into a contemporary residential community rooted in the country’s natural and cultural heritage.
A central valley running through the development will form the core of the master plan, surrounded by landscaped and open spaces. The community will also include pedestrian walkways, running and cycling tracks, a waterfront and yacht marina, bringing residential, leisure, hospitality and commercial offerings together within an integrated setting.
THE WADI is situated along Yas Canal, a growing waterfront residential district featuring luxury developments, national housing projects and landscaped canal-side promenades. The development is located about five minutes by car from Zayed International Airport, nine minutes from Ferrari World Yas Island and approximately 23 minutes from central Abu Dhabi.
The community will feature landscaped parks and a variety of sports and leisure amenities, including tennis clubs, gyms, spa facilities and dedicated areas for children, along with restaurants and retail outlets. The landscape design will incorporate native vegetation, including ghaf and palm trees, as well as water features and open pathways.
Climate-responsive design principles will also be integrated throughout the project, with features such as landscaped balconies and strategic building orientation intended to improve airflow across parts of the development. Selected residences will offer private balconies or terraces, while standard features will include fitted kitchens, fully tiled bathrooms, double-glazed windows, central air conditioning and dedicated parking facilities.
Andrea Nucera, Managing Director at Cosmo Developments and Group Managing Director at Reportage Group, said THE WADI represents the evolution of the company’s approach to creating mixed-use residential communities that respond to their surroundings, residents’ needs and changing market expectations. He said the project introduces a nature-led design philosophy that places the natural environment at the centre of how communities are planned, experienced and valued over the long term.
Nucera added that the development is expected to support Abu Dhabi’s growing appeal among residents, investors and visitors, while bringing a distinctive integrated destination to Yas Island.
Adnan Tareen, Managing Director at Flag Holding, said THE WADI marks an important step in Cosmo Developments’ strategy to create destinations that combine strong investment fundamentals with a distinctive sense of place. He noted that Yas Island provides an ideal setting for a development of this scale and that the project has been designed to complement Abu Dhabi’s continued growth as an international destination for living, investment and tourism.
Tareen added that THE WADI’s nature-focused design, combination of residential, leisure and commercial uses, and emphasis on quality of life reflect the developer’s aim to create long-term value for residents, investors and the wider emirate.
