Ramhan Island has just revolutionised the luxury real estate market in the United Arab Emirates with the launch of the first ultra-premium floating villas in the Middle East, an unprecedented architectural proposal that combines cutting-edge naval engineering with energy sustainability. In January 2026, developer Eagle Hills confirmed that the USD 800 million investment in the initial phase has made it possible to build residences anchored to the seabed just 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi, surpassing the traditional offering of artificial islands such as Palm Jumeirah.
This project is redefining profitability benchmarks for global investors by offering 4.2% annual returns through premium holiday rentals, while projecting 8.5% annual appreciation through 2030 according to analyses of the Emirati market. The technology integrated into each unit guarantees operational efficiency unmatched in the region.
Floating architecture with integrated solar technology
The floating villas of Ramhan Island represent an entirely new category within Arab residential luxury, built on platforms anchored using naval engineering systems certified for extreme maritime conditions. Each unit has between 4 and 6 bedrooms distributed across 550 to 850 square metres of built-up area, plus up to 400 additional square metres of overwater terraces with perimeter infinity pools.
The integration of solar panels on the roof makes it possible to generate up to 60% of the energy consumed daily, reducing operating costs compared with conventional residences on Palm Jumeirah. Private desalination systems guarantee water self-sufficiency without depending on municipal infrastructure, while floating docks can accommodate yachts of up to 30 metres in length with a minimum depth of 4 metres.
The materials used include FSC-certified woods and triple-glazed glass with UV protection that minimises thermal transfer, essential in temperatures that exceed 45 degrees Celsius in summer. The entry price starting from USD 15 million places these residences among the most exclusive on the planet, exceeding the average ticket of Palm Jumeirah by 40%.
Record investment and premium service ecosystem
The total USD 5 billion project includes the construction of 1,350 additional standalone villas across different communities: Marine Island, Cove Island, Breeze Island and Views Island. Eagle Hills has allocated specific resources to ensure that residents have access to hotel-style services without leaving the island, including a 200-room Ritz-Carlton scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
✓ Marina with capacity for 150 luxury vessels and professional nautical services
✓ Wellness centre of 5,000 square metres specialising in regenerative medicine and holistic therapies
✓ High-end shopping centres with international boutiques and five-star gourmet restaurants
✓ Eco trails through protected natural mangroves that allow flamingo and native wildlife watching
✓ Full educational infrastructure with nurseries, schools and mosques for family communities
Connectivity with the main roads of Abu Dhabi guarantees access in under 25 minutes to the financial district and the international airport, eliminating the typical friction of remote island developments.
Competitive edge over Palm Jumeirah
While Palm Jumeirah is experiencing stagnation in its property appreciation due to an oversupply and the age of its infrastructure built two decades ago, Ramhan Island is introducing a model that prioritises environmental conservation as a key asset. The development has been planned around the existing mangroves, not the other way round, preserving ecosystems that act as a natural barrier against storms and improve air quality.
Institutional investors particularly value the energy efficiency generated by solar technology, which reduces service charges by 35% annually compared with traditional residences in Dubai. This operational saving translates directly into better net margins for owners who rent out their villas to expatriate executives or high-net-worth tourists.
The handover scheduled for the second quarter of 2027 allows current buyers to benefit from pre-construction prices with discounts of 20% compared with the projected value post-handover, while the secondary market on Palm Jumeirah has shown stable but flat performance since 2023 according to data from Property Finder.
Projected returns and buyer profile
The 4.2% annual CAP rate exceeds the 3.1% average recorded in premium developments in Dubai, thanks to the scarcity of comparable supply in Abu Dhabi and the growing demand from European and Asian investors seeking geographic diversification. Holiday rental contracts generate net income of up to USD 600,000 per year for a 6-bedroom villa, with occupancy rates above 75% during peak season.
The 8.5% annual appreciation projected through 2030 is supported by three pillars: the artificial cap on total supply at 1,350 residential units, government investment in nearby cultural infrastructure such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, and the positioning of the Emirati capital as the preferred business destination for regional corporate headquarters. The buyer profile includes family offices with assets exceeding USD 50 million and executives from multinational energy companies based in the Middle East.
Flexible payment plans structured over up to 5 years make it possible to lock in current prices while construction is completed, mitigating foreign exchange volatility risks. The overall project also includes 120 hotel suites and 1,000 additional residences in the marina, guaranteeing critical mass to sustain premium services without relying exclusively on residential owners.
