Ohana Development is becoming increasingly difficult to classify using conventional Abu Dhabi developer categories.

It is not operating primarily as a mass-market apartment developer.

It is not focused on a single master-planned island.

And its current growth strategy is increasingly connected with something that has become much more prominent across global luxury real estate:

branded residences.

In Abu Dhabi, Ohana is now associated with three very different residential stories:

Yas Canal, through the newly launched Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana;

Al Reem Island, through ELIE SAAB Waterfront by Ohana;

and Al Jurf, through Ohana by the Sea and Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana.

Those developments range from apartments and townhouses to villas, penthouses, sky mansions and beachfront mansions.

So the question:

“Should I buy an Ohana property?”

is not specific enough.

A one-bedroom branded apartment at Al Jurf, a family villa on Yas Canal and a penthouse on Reem Island are completely different investment propositions.

The stronger question is:

“Does this particular Ohana project justify its price, brand premium and development timeline compared with the alternatives available in Abu Dhabi?”

That is the focus of this guide.

---

Quick Answer

Ohana Development describes itself as a private Middle Eastern real-estate developer specialising in luxury and “attainable luxury” residential projects. The company reports more than 35 years of expertise, 9,000+ delivered units, 2,000+ employees and more than US$8 billion in asset value across its wider development activities. These are company-reported figures rather than independently audited statistics presented here.

For an Abu Dhabi buyer in 2026, Ohana’s most important current projects are:

• Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana — Yas Canal
• ELIE SAAB Waterfront by Ohana — Al Reem Island
• Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana — Al Jurf
• Ohana by the Sea — Al Jurf

The developer’s Abu Dhabi strategy is particularly notable for global-brand collaborations and waterfront locations.

Its largest current Abu Dhabi project is the AED 15 billion Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana, launched in February 2026 as the football club’s first branded residential destination globally.

---

Ohana Development at a Glance

Factor	2026 Position
Developer	Ohana Development
Type	Private real-estate developer
UAE headquarters	Abu Dhabi
CEO	Husein Salem
Company-reported experience	35+ years
Company-reported units delivered	9,000+
Company-reported employees	2,000+
Main Abu Dhabi areas	Yas Canal, Al Reem Island, Al Jurf
Major 2026 launch	Manchester City Yas Residences
Other branded collaborations	Jacob & Co., ELIE SAAB
Property spectrum	Apartments to ultra-luxury mansions
Core positioning	Waterfront, branded and personalised luxury
International presence	UAE and Lebanon, with wider regional/global operations

Ohana’s current official project portfolio places branded residences and waterfront communities at the centre of its UAE strategy.

---

Who Is Ohana Development?

Ohana Development is headquartered in Abu Dhabi and describes itself as a private developer focused on creating luxury residential projects in strategically selected locations.

Its corporate positioning revolves around four ideas:

family;

customer-centricity;

attainable luxury;

and personalisation.

The company states that customisable layouts, finishes and individually tailored homes form an important part of its development philosophy.

That emphasis on personalisation becomes particularly relevant at the villa and mansion level.

In a conventional apartment development, two units of the same type may be nearly interchangeable.

In a bespoke beachfront villa community, buyers may instead care heavily about:

plot orientation;

façade;

interior specification;

pool design;

landscape;

water frontage;

and architectural customisation.

That naturally produces a more complex resale market.

---

Ohana’s Abu Dhabi Strategy Is Changing

The strongest way to understand Ohana in 2026 is to look at how quickly its Abu Dhabi portfolio has evolved.

Earlier projects established a presence through:

Ohana by the Sea;

and ELIE SAAB Waterfront.

Then came a significantly larger branded project:

Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana, valued by the developer at AED 4.7 billion.

And in February 2026, Ohana moved to another level of scale with:

Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana — AED 15 billion.

This shows an increasingly clear strategy:

global brand + waterfront location + lifestyle concept + residential real estate.

That is very different from simply building another apartment tower.

---

1. Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana

[Explore Yas Island property through Al Zaeem]

Manchester City Yas Residences is the most significant Ohana project for a 2026 Abu Dhabi buyer.

It was officially launched in February 2026 as a waterfront development on Yas Canal and Manchester City Football Club’s first branded residential project anywhere in the world.

The scale is substantial.

Ohana announced:

AED 15 billion gross development value;

approximately 1.67 million square metres of development area;

more than 2,000 residences;

and a mixture of apartments, villas, twin villas, maisonettes and waterfront penthouses.

The current project website lists apartments from approximately AED 2 million and shows multiple residential formats from apartments through villas.

---

Why Yas Canal Matters

Yas already has one of Abu Dhabi’s strongest lifestyle brands.

The wider island contains:

Ferrari World;

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi;

Yas Waterworld;

Warner Bros. World;

Yas Mall;

Etihad Arena;

Yas Marina;

golf;

hotels;

schools;

and a growing permanent residential population.

Manchester City Yas Residences is positioned along Yas Canal, near the island’s established leisure ecosystem.

That gives Ohana something important:

it does not need to create global recognition for the broader destination from scratch.

Yas already has it.

The developer’s task is instead to create a residential proposition compelling enough to compete with existing and future Yas inventory.

---

The Manchester City Branding — What Does It Actually Add?

This is not intended to be merely a Manchester City logo applied to an apartment building.

According to the project material, the community concept incorporates sport, performance and wellbeing into its amenities and design.

The wider plan includes:

training facilities;

recovery and fitness spaces;

an integrated Manchester City Academy;

sports-oriented amenities;

waterfront promenade;

marina-related activities;

pools;

landscaping;

retail;

and restaurants.

More than 55% of the masterplan is described by Ohana as landscaped or green space.

For an investor, the important question is whether the brand meaningfully influences the resident experience.

A strong branded-residence premium is easier to justify when the collaboration affects:

architecture;

amenities;

service;

community programming;

design;

and lifestyle.

It is harder to justify if branding is largely cosmetic.

---

Manchester City Yas Residences Property Types

The project is not designed around only one buyer profile.

Current official material lists:

• apartments;
• townhouses;
• maisonettes;
• villas;
• penthouses.

The villa component includes larger four- and five-bedroom products, while the broader community offers apartment formats suitable for smaller households and investors.

This diversity matters.

An apartment investor should not benchmark returns against a five-bedroom villa.

Likewise, a family buying for occupation should not choose a villa based on the rental yield of a one-bedroom apartment.

---

Current Manchester City Yas Payment Plans

The current official project site displays two principal payment options:

50/50

and

35/65.

Under the displayed 50/50 structure, payments are staggered through construction with a large balance at delivery.

The alternative displayed plan places a larger amount closer to signing and a 65% balance at delivery.

That final payment is important.

A buyer should model the cash position at handover before reserving the property.

For example, if 50% or 65% is still due near completion, you need a clear plan for:

cash;

mortgage finance;

sale of another asset;

or other funding.

A low initial booking payment can make an expensive property feel more affordable than it really is.

---

Manchester City Yas Handover

The project’s current official site identifies different completion schedules by phase, including approximately:

Q3 2028 for Phase 1

and

Q4 2029 for Phase 2.

This is more useful than simply saying “handover 2029.”

A buyer should verify which phase the actual unit belongs to.

That affects:

capital lock-up;

rental start date;

finance timing;

resale horizon;

and competing inventory.

---

AED 6 Billion in 72 Hours — What Does It Mean?

In March 2026, Ohana reported AED 6 billion of Manchester City Yas Residences sales within 72 hours.

The developer also reported that approximately:

35% of buyers were Emiratis

and

65% were expatriate or international investors.

This is meaningful evidence of launch demand.

But investors need to understand what it does — and does not — prove.

It demonstrates:

strong initial interest;

international reach;

brand recognition;

and sales momentum.

It does not automatically prove:

future resale liquidity;

future rental yield;

capital appreciation;

or whether today’s remaining unit is correctly priced.

Launch demand and future secondary-market demand are different measurements.

---

Who Should Consider Manchester City Yas Residences?

The project may be particularly relevant to:

international buyers;

Manchester City supporters;

branded-residence investors;

Yas-focused investors;

families;

waterfront buyers;

buyers seeking Golden Visa-eligible price levels where applicable;

and investors with a longer 2028–2029 horizon.

It may be less suited to someone seeking immediate rental income.

For that buyer, an established Yas property should also be compared.

---

2. ELIE SAAB Waterfront by Ohana — Al Reem Island

[Explore Al Reem Island property through Al Zaeem]

ELIE SAAB Waterfront by Ohana represents a completely different investment environment.

Instead of a new large-scale master community, this project is located on Al Reem Island, an established residential and investment market.

That means buyers can compare the project against:

existing Reem rents;

completed towers;

current resale pricing;

service charges;

and a deep apartment market.

The project comprises 174 residences, ranging from apartments to penthouses. Construction began officially in March 2025, with completion scheduled by Ohana for Q2 2027.

---

Why Reem Island Changes the Risk Profile

With a destination such as Al Jurf, part of the investment thesis depends on how the wider area develops over time.

Reem is different.

Residents already have access to:

Reem Mall;

schools;

supermarkets;

parks;

medical facilities;

restaurants;

and proximity to Al Maryah Island and ADGM.

So the buyer has a stronger existing demand base.

The question becomes:

How much premium should an ELIE SAAB-branded new residence command over established Reem property?

That is a much more useful investment comparison.

---

What Does ELIE SAAB Bring to the Project?

The design concept is inspired by the fashion house’s couture language.

Ohana describes the building as having fluid architecture inspired by movement, with ELIE SAAB design influencing the residence concept and interiors.

The amenities announced include:

swimming pool;

gym;

landscaped areas;

children’s facilities;

padel court;

visitor parking;

and EV charging.

This again raises the branded-residence question:

Is the brand premium supported by product differentiation?

The buyer should compare:

interior specification;

furniture;

finish;

view;

floor level;

amenities;

service;

and resale scarcity.

---

Construction Status in 2026

Ohana’s public social-media update in July 2026 stated that construction had reached the 27th floor, with mechanical, electrical and plumbing work underway inside residences.

That is useful because the project is no longer at an early excavation stage.

However, construction progress does not eliminate completion risk.

Buyers should still verify:

latest developer progress reports;

SPA completion terms;

payment schedule;

and current expected handover.

---

Is ELIE SAAB Waterfront Better for Investors or End Users?

It can suit both.

Potential investor strengths

Established Reem rental market;

waterfront positioning;

limited 174-unit supply;

brand differentiation;

2027 rather than very distant handover;

access to ADGM-related tenant demand.

Potential end-user strengths

Design;

views;

centrality;

amenities;

new-build specification;

Reem lifestyle.

The principal investor concern is likely to be entry premium.

If the branded unit costs substantially more than a strong ready alternative nearby, the brand and specification must justify that difference.

---

3. Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana — Al Jurf

Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living is one of Ohana’s most ambitious luxury projects.

The project is located at Al Jurf, along the coastline between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Ohana announced the project at a total value of approximately AED 4.7 billion.

The launch collection comprises 457 residences, including:

one- to three-bedroom apartments;

penthouses;

sky mansions;

villas;

and beachfront mansions.

The project is scheduled for completion in Q2 2028.

---

This Is Not Just Another Apartment Project

The price spectrum shows how broad the development is.

Ohana’s current project page displays entry-level apartments from approximately AED 1.5 million.

At the opposite end, the current page lists:

penthouses from roughly AED 21.7 million;

sky mansions from roughly AED 75.9 million;

and some beachfront mansion formats reaching extremely high price levels.

This makes the development almost several property markets inside one project.

An AED 1.5 million apartment investor and an AED 90 million mansion buyer should not use the same decision framework.

---

What Does Jacob & Co. Branding Add?

Jacob & Co. is known globally for luxury watches and jewellery.

The residence collaboration attempts to translate that identity into:

interior detailing;

architectural elements;

art installations;

exclusive clubs;

and lifestyle spaces.

Announced amenities include:

Jacob & Co. Beach Club;

Jacob & Co. Residents Club;

watch gallery;

seafront cigar lounge;

business centre;

botanical gardens;

family facilities;

private marina;

and concierge-style services.

The project also includes a large branded art timepiece installation in its main arrival environment.

That is a much deeper brand integration than simply naming a building after a luxury company.

---

Al Jurf — Opportunity and Risk

Al Jurf offers a very different thesis from Reem.

Its strengths include:

natural coastline;

lower density;

privacy;

proximity to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai;

direct Sheikh Zayed Road connectivity;

and increasing premium residential development.

Ohana highlights connectivity to both Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports, Dubai Parks and Resorts and other destinations.

However, investors should understand the trade-off.

Al Jurf does not currently have the same depth of daily urban infrastructure or rental-market evidence as Reem Island.

Therefore, the investment thesis may rely more heavily on:

future destination maturity;

second-home demand;

high-net-worth residents;

scarcity;

and capital appreciation.

---

2026 Construction Progress

In a July 2026 company update, Ohana stated that concrete and infrastructure works for the villa component of Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living had been completed.

That is a useful progress signal.

But a Q2 2028 scheduled completion still leaves a meaningful construction horizon.

Investors should continue monitoring progress rather than assuming that early infrastructure completion guarantees the final handover date.

---

Who Should Consider Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living?

The project may fit:

luxury second-home buyers;

international investors;

high-net-worth families;

branded-residence collectors;

waterfront buyers;

buyers seeking villas or mansions;

and investors with a multi-year holding horizon.

It is less naturally suited to an investor whose primary objective is the highest possible percentage rental yield.

At the ultra-luxury end, capital preservation and scarcity can matter more than headline yield.

---

4. Ohana by the Sea

Ohana by the Sea is another coastal Ohana community at Al Jurf.

Unlike Jacob & Co., it is not primarily defined by an external luxury-brand collaboration.

Instead, its proposition is straightforward:

private beachfront villas in a low-density natural setting.

Current Ohana material lists four-, five- and six-bedroom villas with approximate starting sizes ranging from 330 square metres to 507 square metres.

The environment includes:

private beach;

nature reserve;

parks;

wellness facilities;

fitness;

pools;

and coastal landscaping.

---

Why Ohana by the Sea Is Important to the Developer Story

This project shows that Ohana’s luxury identity did not begin with global-brand partnerships.

The company was already developing coastal villa communities around:

privacy;

space;

family living;

and personalisation.

That background is relevant when evaluating its newer branded products.

Manchester City, Jacob & Co. and ELIE SAAB may increase visibility, but the broader development model still revolves strongly around luxury residential communities.

---

Verify Current Inventory and Handover Status

Ohana’s current public Ohana by the Sea project page gives extensive design and lifestyle information but does not present a clear updated 2026 unit-by-unit sales schedule or current handover status.

Therefore, buyers should not assume an old payment plan or completion date found on a third-party portal is still current.

For a current transaction, verify:

whether the villa is ready or under construction;

developer versus resale inventory;

remaining instalments;

handover status;

and whether title documentation is available.

This is particularly important for projects that have been marketed for several years.

---

Ohana Is Increasingly a Branded-Residence Developer

The pattern is now clear.

ELIE SAAB

Fashion and interior-design identity.

Jacob & Co.

Jewellery, watchmaking and ultra-luxury lifestyle.

Manchester City

Sport, performance, wellness and global fan identity.

These collaborations target three completely different emotional markets.

That is clever from a development perspective.

Ohana is not depending on a single brand partnership model.

---

Are Branded Residences Better Investments?

Not automatically.

A branded residence may command a premium because of:

design;

brand recognition;

scarcity;

services;

amenities;

international marketing;

and buyer prestige.

But the investor must still determine whether the premium is economically justified.

The right calculation is:

Branded unit price
minus comparable unbranded property price
= brand premium

Then ask what you receive for that premium.

Is it:

better fit-out?

furniture?

concierge?

private club?

scarcity?

higher rent?

stronger international resale demand?

exclusive services?

or simply a famous name?

The stronger the tangible differentiation, the easier the premium is to defend.

---

Brand Premium Risk

There is also a reverse risk.

A buyer may pay heavily for branding at launch.

But five years later, the secondary-market buyer may care more about:

building quality;

maintenance;

service charges;

location;

views;

layout;

and community condition.

That is why long-term quality matters more than launch excitement.

---

Ohana Apartments vs Villas vs Mansions

Property Type	Ohana Example
Apartment	ELIE SAAB Waterfront
Branded apartment	Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living
Yas apartment	Manchester City Yas Residences
Townhouse	Manchester City Yas
Maisonette	Manchester City Yas
Villa	Ohana by the Sea
Branded villa	Manchester City / Jacob & Co.
Penthouse	ELIE SAAB / Jacob & Co. / Manchester City
Sky mansion	Jacob & Co.
Beachfront mansion	Jacob & Co.

That is an unusually wide spectrum for a developer with a relatively concentrated Abu Dhabi geographic portfolio.

---

Ohana Payment Plans in 2026

There is no universal Ohana payment plan.

The most transparent current example is Manchester City Yas Residences, where the official site lists:

50/50

and

35/65 payment structures.

Other projects may use different schedules.

For example, the economics of a Jacob & Co. mansion will naturally differ significantly from those of a Yas apartment.

Before buying, obtain the unit-specific:

reservation form;

payment schedule;

SPA;

handover obligation;

and any assignment requirements.

---

Why Handover Payment Matters

Suppose a property costs AED 4 million.

A 50% handover balance is:

AED 2 million.

A buyer who focuses only on a 5% booking payment may underestimate the eventual capital requirement.

This is particularly important with luxury property, where the absolute final instalment can be substantial.

Always prepare the exit or financing strategy before signing.

---

Ohana’s Delivery Track Record

Ohana states that its wider group experience exceeds 35 years and reports more than 9,000 units delivered.

Those are useful corporate-scale indicators.

However, buyers should distinguish them from the status of individual current Abu Dhabi branded projects.

Manchester City Yas is still a future delivery.

Jacob & Co. is under construction.

ELIE SAAB Waterfront is under construction.

Therefore, due diligence should remain project-specific.

Corporate history does not eliminate off-plan risk.

---

Ready vs Off-Plan Ohana Property

Factor	Current Off-Plan Ohana	Ready / Mature Alternative
Brand positioning	Strong	Depends on property
Payment plan	Often available	Usually limited
Rental income	Future	Immediate potential
Construction risk	Present	Lower
Physical inspection	Limited	Available
Service-charge history	Forecast	Observable
New-build premium	Often higher	Market-tested
Potential scarcity	Can be strong	Known
Resale evidence	Developing	Existing

A serious buyer should compare both.

---

Ohana on Yas vs Aldar on Yas

This will become one of the more interesting comparisons.

Aldar already has a deep Yas track record through established and off-plan communities.

Ohana is entering the island with a differentiated branded proposition.

Aldar advantage

Established track record on Yas;

large resale market;

multiple mature communities;

wide inventory.

Ohana Manchester City Yas advantage

first-of-its-kind global football-branded residence;

sport-led community identity;

new canal positioning;

international brand reach.

The buyer should therefore compare:

entry price;

handover;

unit scarcity;

community maturity;

service charges;

and expected resale audience.

Not simply developer reputation.

---

Ohana on Reem vs Existing Reem Inventory

The comparison for ELIE SAAB Waterfront is even more direct.

A buyer can choose between:

new branded off-plan;

newer non-branded towers;

or established ready apartments.

The decision can be framed mathematically:

Branded premium vs immediate rental income.

A ready Reem apartment can potentially generate rent today.

The ELIE SAAB purchaser may instead be paying for:

new specification;

brand;

scarcity;

design;

and future resale appeal.

Neither is automatically superior.

---

Ohana at Al Jurf vs IMKAN AlJurf

Al Jurf is particularly interesting because both Ohana and IMKAN have significant residential strategies there.

The broader area now includes:

IMKAN’s AlJurf developments;

Ohana by the Sea;

Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living;

and increasing luxury residential activity.

This creates both opportunity and competition.

More investment can strengthen the destination.

But more supply can also reduce scarcity for certain property categories.

Therefore, an Al Jurf buyer should evaluate the whole corridor, not only one developer.

---

Who Is Ohana Best Suited For?

Buyer Type	Ohana Project Worth Studying
Yas investor	Manchester City Yas
Sports/lifestyle buyer	Manchester City Yas
Reem apartment investor	ELIE SAAB Waterfront
Branded residence investor	ELIE SAAB / Jacob & Co. / Manchester City
Coastal second-home buyer	Al Jurf
Villa buyer	Ohana by the Sea
High-net-worth buyer	Jacob & Co.
Ultra-luxury mansion buyer	Jacob & Co.
International lifestyle investor	Manchester City / Jacob & Co.
Long-horizon buyer	Yas Canal / Al Jurf projects

---

Rental Potential

There is no responsible single “Ohana rental yield.”

The portfolio is too diverse.

A Reem apartment may have a conventional annual rental market.

A Yas branded apartment may eventually serve:

residents;

professionals;

international owners;

and lifestyle tenants.

A Jacob & Co. mansion may have a very small tenant market.

For any investment calculate:

Net annual rent ÷ total invested capital

Include:

service charges;

management;

furnishing;

maintenance;

vacancy;

finance costs;

and transaction expenses.

---

Resale Potential

Branded residences can attract an international buyer pool.

That is potentially valuable.

Manchester City alone has a huge global audience.

Jacob & Co. has a strong luxury clientele.

ELIE SAAB has international recognition.

But brand awareness does not guarantee transactional liquidity.

The resale unit must still be:

correctly priced;

desirable;

well maintained;

competitively positioned;

and available when buyers are actually looking.

---

Questions Buyers Should Ask Before Purchasing an Ohana Property

Before paying a reservation amount, ask:

1. Is the property direct from Ohana or resale?
2. What exact project and phase is the unit in?
3. What is the total purchase price?
4. What is the price per square foot?
5. How much premium am I paying for branding?
6. What does the brand actually provide to residents?
7. What is included in the interior specification?
8. Is furniture included?
9. What is the current payment plan?
10. How much is due at handover?
11. What is the contractual handover date?
12. What is the latest construction status?
13. Is the project registered for off-plan sale?
14. Is there a project escrow account?
15. Can I resell or assign before handover?
16. What payment percentage must be completed before assignment?
17. What service charges are expected?
18. What branded-residence management fees apply?
19. What comparable ready property can I buy for the same price?
20. What comparable rent can I realistically achieve?
21. Is the view protected?
22. Which amenities are guaranteed in the SPA?
23. What future supply is planned nearby?
24. Who is the likely future buyer?
25. What is my exit strategy?

Those questions matter more than the logo on the brochure.

---

Al Zaeem Real Estate and Ohana Development

Al Zaeem already has a separate authority article covering its relationship and work with Ohana Development, so this developer guide should remain primarily buyer-led rather than award-led. The Ohana relationship article is already part of Al Zaeem’s completed authority cluster.

The practical value for a buyer is comparison.

An adviser should be able to compare:

Manchester City Yas with Aldar Yas inventory;

ELIE SAAB Waterfront with other Reem developments;

Jacob & Co. with competing Al Jurf and luxury coastal projects;

and Ohana by the Sea with alternative villa communities.

That is more useful than simply repeating developer marketing.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ohana Development based in Abu Dhabi?

Ohana is a private Middle Eastern developer with its UAE headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Its official contact information lists Landmark Tower on Al Hisn Street as its Abu Dhabi office.

How long has Ohana Development been operating?

Ohana currently reports more than 35 years of wider development expertise.

How many properties has Ohana delivered?

Ohana currently reports more than 9,000 delivered units across its broader development activities. This is a company-reported figure.

What are Ohana’s main Abu Dhabi projects?

Its current portfolio includes Manchester City Yas Residences, Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living, ELIE SAAB Waterfront and Ohana by the Sea.

What is Manchester City Yas Residences?

It is a major waterfront community on Yas Canal developed by Ohana in partnership with Manchester City Football Club and represents the club’s first branded residential development globally.

How large is Manchester City Yas Residences?

Ohana announced a development value of AED 15 billion, approximately 1.67 million square metres and more than 2,000 residences.

What is the starting price at Manchester City Yas?

The current official project site lists apartments from approximately AED 2 million. Inventory and pricing can change.

What payment plans are available at Manchester City Yas?

The current project site displays 50/50 and 35/65 structures.

When is Manchester City Yas expected to hand over?

Current project material indicates different phase schedules, approximately Q3 2028 and Q4 2029. Buyers should verify the exact phase for their unit.

What is ELIE SAAB Waterfront by Ohana?

It is a 174-unit branded residential project on Al Reem Island offering apartments and penthouses with an ELIE SAAB-led design concept.

When will ELIE SAAB Waterfront be completed?

Ohana currently targets Q2 2027.

What is Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living by Ohana?

It is a branded beachfront project at Al Jurf combining apartments, villas, penthouses, sky mansions and beachfront mansions.

How many residences are at Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living?

Ohana announced 457 residences.

When is Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living scheduled to complete?

The current developer schedule targets Q2 2028.

Does Ohana have non-branded developments?

Yes. Ohana by the Sea is a private coastal villa community at Al Jurf focused on beachfront living rather than an external brand partnership.

Does Ohana develop villas?

Yes. Its Abu Dhabi portfolio includes villas at Manchester City Yas, Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living and Ohana by the Sea.

Does Ohana develop apartments?

Yes. Apartment inventory exists across Manchester City Yas, ELIE SAAB Waterfront and Jacob & Co. Beachfront Living.

Is Ohana only an ultra-luxury developer?

No. Ohana itself uses the concept of “attainable luxury,” although its portfolio now extends all the way to ultra-luxury mansions.

Are branded residences automatically better investments?

No. A strong brand can support desirability, but buyers should still evaluate price, service charges, rent, construction, supply and resale liquidity.

Is Ohana better than Aldar?

Neither is universally better. Aldar provides substantially greater scale and mature Abu Dhabi master communities, while Ohana is more concentrated around luxury waterfront and branded-residential concepts.

Is Ohana good for international buyers?

Several Ohana projects are clearly being marketed internationally, and Ohana reported that 65% of buyers during the initial Manchester City Yas sales surge were expatriate or international buyers.

---

Final Takeaway

Ohana Development is one of the more interesting Abu Dhabi developers to watch in 2026 because its strategy is becoming unusually clear.

It is building around:

waterfront locations;

recognisable global brands;

luxury design;

personalisation;

and lifestyle-led communities.

On Yas Canal, that becomes a sport-and-performance community through Manchester City.

On Reem Island, it becomes fashion-led waterfront living through ELIE SAAB.

At Al Jurf, it becomes ultra-luxury beachfront living through Jacob & Co.

And through Ohana by the Sea, the developer continues its own coastal villa identity without requiring an external brand.

That creates genuine differentiation.

But differentiation does not remove the need for valuation.

A buyer still needs to ask:

What am I paying per square foot?

How much of that price is the brand premium?

What are the service charges?

When will the property actually generate income?

How much competing luxury inventory will exist at handover?

Who will buy it from me later?

A powerful brand can help sell a property.

A great location can help preserve demand.

A strong developer can improve execution.

But a successful investment still begins with the specific property and the price paid for it.

---

Speak With Al Zaeem About Ohana Development

Al Zaeem Real Estate can help buyers compare Ohana properties across Yas Canal, Al Reem Island and Al Jurf with competing luxury, branded, ready and off-plan opportunities throughout Abu Dhabi.

Relevant Al Zaeem sections include the Abu Dhabi property market, Yas Island, Al Reem Island, off-plan properties and the wider Real Estate Knowledge Hub.

Al Zaeem Real Estate: +971 (50) 991 5454

---

Disclaimer

This article is for general educational and property-research purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, mortgage, tax or investment advice.

Prices, inventory, payment plans, construction schedules, handover dates, project specifications, ownership eligibility, branded services and service charges can change.

Company-scale figures such as years of experience, units delivered, employees and asset values cited above are Ohana Development’s own reported figures and should not be interpreted as independently audited claims unless separately verified.

Sales announcements — including Manchester City Yas Residences’ reported AED 6 billion of sales within 72 hours — demonstrate launch demand at the time reported but do not guarantee future capital appreciation, rental returns or resale liquidity.

Buyers should verify the current project registration, escrow arrangements, SPA, construction status, unit price and payment plan before reserving any off-plan property.

Last reviewed: September 2026.