Residents of the new Wadi residential complex, valued at 6 billion dirhams on Yas Island, will be able to move around on foot, by bicycle, or run within the development area, avoiding surface road traffic, according to its developer on September 18.
The Wadi complex, developed by Cosmo Developments, provides for the placement of all vehicles and parking areas underground. This leaves a large portion of the development area, spanning 140,700 sq. m, free from vehicular traffic. The project includes a running route approximately six kilometers long, as well as pedestrian and cycling paths, landscaped areas, water features, parks, and a central valley.
Andrea Nucera, Managing Director of Cosmo Developments and Group Managing Director of Reportage Group, told Khaleej Times that the project is conceived as an intimate community that creates a specific perception at every stage of life.
He added that residents will be able to travel without using a car while remaining in contact with various natural elements such as trees, grass, water, and canals.
This development is located along the Yas Canal and will consist of 3,950 residential units, including studios and one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, as well as commercial, recreational, sports, and hotel facilities.
Nucera explained that the decision to move cars underground was made to create a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment, especially for families with children. He emphasized that according to the master plan, there are no cars on the site, allowing residents to move between different parts of the complex without encountering traffic.
The master plan also includes restaurants and shopping areas, tennis clubs, fitness centers, spas, and dedicated children's zones. The developer noted that the buildings, open passages, and green spaces are arranged to promote air circulation throughout part of the complex, and local plants, including palms and ghaf trees, will be used throughout the development.
Sales of the project started on September 18; prices start at approximately 850,000 dirhams for studios and reach about 7.5 million dirhams for larger four-bedroom apartments, according to Nucera. Some of the larger homes will feature balconies or terraces up to 150 sq. m.
The first phase initially includes about 700 homes across two buildings. Nucera reported that approximately 350–360 units were sold within hours of the sales launch, and the studios in the first phase are completely sold out. The project will be implemented in two stages, with construction of the first phase beginning after an initial preparatory period.
The total implementation period for the project is estimated at approximately 55–60 months, although the two phases will be delivered separately. The total investment in the development amounts to 6 billion dirhams, integrating residential, retail, leisure, and hospitality functions within a single master plan. Furthermore, the project includes a waterfront promenade and a yacht marina.
Nucera also mentioned that the location near the entrance to Yas Island will ultimately benefit from planned road connections that will improve access to the area, including access routes to major Yas Island attractions. This launch comes amid a growing trend among developers to integrate walking capabilities, greenery, and outdoor recreation areas into large residential complexes, particularly in connection with Abu Dhabi's expansion of its waterfronts and mixed-use districts.