Market Report

Saadiyat Island leads the rankings in both rental yield and capital gains for Q3 2023

December 5, 2023

It has the highest annual capital gains with villa prices rising 10.3% and apartment prices 4.7% according to study for Q3 2023.

In the ever-dynamic realm of Abu Dhabi real estate, one shining star has consistently outshone the rest—Saadiyat Island. According to the latest study, this island paradise has once again stolen the spotlight, boasting the highest quarterly capital gains in the capital. Brace yourself for the jaw-dropping stats: villa prices soared by an impressive 10.3%, while apartment prices gracefully ascended by 4.7%.

Saadiyat Island isn't just a destination; it's a lifestyle, and buyers and tenants can't get enough. The Q3 2023 report from the renowned international consulting firm ValuStrat confirms that Saadiyat Island is the go-to choice, leaving all other areas in its wake.

Hold onto your real estate hats because the stats are about to roll in! Al Reem Island, Al Muneera Island, and Al Bandar are no slouches either, witnessing annual capital increases of 3.8%, 4.5%, and 4.4%, respectively. It's a real estate party, and Saadiyat Island is hosting!

But wait, there's more! The rental market in Abu Dhabi is not just strong; it's flexing its muscles. Annual rental values are flexing a 7% increase annually and a 1.2% quarterly growth. Villas are the true MVPs here, outpacing apartments with a remarkable 9.6% annual and 2.8% quarterly rental increase. Apartments, though up 4.7% YoY, took a tiny breather with a 0.3% dip compared to the previous quarter. It's a race, and villas are winning!

Saadiyat Island isn't just dominating the sales game; it's leading the rental race too. With a 3.5% uptick, it secured the highest rent increase among the monitored apartment locations by ValuStrat. Al Reef and Al Reem follow suit with 3.2% and 2.6% increases, respectively. The competition is fierce, but Saadiyat Island is in a league of its own.

Now, let's talk numbers. Average annual apartment asking rents are dancing at AED51,300 for studios, AED74,000 for 1-bedroom, AED112,300 for 2-bed, and AED163,000 for 3-beds. Meanwhile, 3-bedroom villas are commanding AED153,400, 4-bed villas are at AED225,500, and 5-bed villas are stealing the spotlight at AED302,800.

But what about the overall market performance? Brace yourself for this rollercoaster of data! The residential capital value in Abu Dhabi strutted its stuff with a 0.8% gain, while rental values waltzed up by 1.2%. Villas maintained their status as the VIPs of real estate, outperforming apartments with a stable valuation and a 3.3% annual increase. Villas are the Beyoncé of the real estate world—flawless.

Moving to the office scene, median sales prices increased by a stylish 2% during the quarter, reaching AED9,390 per sq m. However, it's a bit of a catwalk stumble compared to last year, with a 13.6% decrease. Office asking rents did the occasional twirl, declining by 5.1% quarterly and 4.2% annually in the city's primary commercial districts.

Now, let's check into the hotel scene. Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector is a showstopper, maintaining a total stock of 34,000 hotel rooms and apartments. No new completions in the last three months—talk about exclusivity! The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi reported an overall occupancy rate of 73%, excluding Al Ain and the Western Region, marking a 2% annual increase. Tourist numbers experienced a show-stopping 33% surge to reach 2.92 million.

But what's a show without stars? The average room rate in Abu Dhabi stole the limelight at AED403, with Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) hitting AED292. That's a dazzling 22% and 24% increase, respectively, from last year. Domestic visitors took a significant share of the spotlight at 22%, with India following at 11%. The UK, Egypt, and the Philippines each brought their own flair, contributing 4% to the dazzling display.

In the grand performance of Abu Dhabi real estate, Saadiyat Island takes center stage, captivating audiences with its unprecedented growth. As the curtain falls on Q3 2023, the real estate drama continues, and Saadiyat Island remains the star of the show!

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