Emirates Palace opens doors to private ownership with 35 luxury Abu Dhabi mansions
New waterfront residences are expected to be completed by 2029
ABU DHABI – Emirates Palace Company (EPCO), in partnership with LEAD Development and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, has announced the launch of Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions Abu Dhabi, introducing a limited collection of 35 private residences within the grounds of one of the UAE’s most recognisable landmarks.
The project marks a historic first for Emirates Palace, introducing private ownership within a destination that has long held a central role in the UAE’s civic and cultural identity. Completion of the development is anticipated in 2029.
For more than two decades, Emirates Palace has stood as one of Abu Dhabi’s defining addresses. Positioned along the capital’s ceremonial coastline, the landmark has hosted state visits, major international gatherings and key moments linked to the UAE’s public and institutional identity. The move now signals a new chapter for the destination as Abu Dhabi continues strengthening its standing as a global hub for culture, hospitality and lifestyle development.
Historic first
The development brings together three key players with distinct roles. EPCO, owner and custodian of the Emirates Palace precinct, oversees one of the nation’s most prominent hospitality and civic destinations. LEAD Development is responsible for planning and delivering the residential component, while Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will curate and manage the hospitality experience and services offered to residents.
Located along one of Abu Dhabi’s most important stretches of coastline, the residences occupy a setting connected by the axis linking Qasr Al Watan, the Founder’s Memorial and the Corniche. The location places the development within an area that combines national identity, public life and the capital’s waterfront landscape.
Few residential addresses in the region carry similar civic and cultural significance, giving the project a distinctive position within Abu Dhabi’s premium real estate market.
Coastal design
Architecturally, the development draws inspiration from Abu Dhabi’s coastal character through a contemporary design language shaped by landscape, natural light and proportion. The residences are arranged around landscaped gardens and courtyards, with orientations designed to maximise shoreline views while preserving privacy.
Developers said privacy has been integrated into the planning philosophy itself rather than treated as an additional feature. Quiet arrival spaces, expansive interiors and direct access to a reserved shoreline aim to create a residential experience aligned with the established character of Emirates Palace.
Life within the grounds of the Palace has traditionally been associated with discretion and intimate hospitality. The new residences seek to extend that environment into private living through carefully designed spaces and personalised experiences.
Mandarin Oriental will also oversee a collection of hospitality and wellness facilities created exclusively for residents, reflecting its service-led approach.
Commenting on the project, Humaid Matar AlDhaheri, Board Member at EPCO, said the development represents a significant addition to Abu Dhabi’s urban landscape and reflects confidence in the emirate’s growing real estate sector.
Mounir Haidar, Co-founder and Managing Partner at LEAD Development, said creating residences within Emirates Palace carries a broader responsibility to ensure the project fits naturally within both the architectural language of the Palace and the cultural identity of Abu Dhabi.
Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, said Abu Dhabi continues to distinguish itself globally through its cultural depth, hospitality standards and long-term vision, adding that the project further strengthens the group's relationship with the capital through a residential experience focused on craftsmanship and service.