Abu Dhabi’s Lulu Island is moving towards a new chapter after decades of limited development. Eagle Hills Properties has confirmed that it is overseeing a development project on the man-made island, located around 500 metres from the Corniche. While the final masterplan is yet to be revealed, the project could unlock one of the capital’s most prominent waterfront locations and support Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism, real estate and urban development ambitions.
- Location: Around 500 metres off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche
- Organisation: Eagle Hills Properties
- Status: Development confirmed; detailed masterplan has not yet been announced
- Who is affected: Abu Dhabi residents, investors, businesses and future visitors
- Business impact: Could open up a major new waterfront development opportunity
- What’s next: Eagle Hills is expected to release further project details
Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi is finally set for redevelopment after remaining largely untouched for decades. Eagle Hills Properties has confirmed that it is overseeing a development project on the man-made island, which sits around 500 metres from the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Construction activity is already visible, but the developer has not yet revealed the final masterplan, timeline or the types of properties and attractions planned for the site.
The Lulu Island development matters because the island occupies a highly visible waterfront location opposite one of Abu Dhabi’s best-known areas. Its transformation could also support the capital’s long-term plans for tourism, real estate and urban expansion.
What is Lulu Island and why has it remained undeveloped?
Lulu Island is a man-made island located just off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. It was built in the 1990s as a breakwater against high tides and has remained largely undeveloped despite its location, beaches and uninterrupted views of the capital’s skyline.
Over the years, the island has been linked with several possible development plans, but a major project did not materialise.
Now, that appears to be changing.
Recent construction activity on the island has included machinery and workers, while Eagle Hills Properties has confirmed that it is overseeing the development project. However, the company has not yet announced whether Lulu Island will include homes, hotels, resorts, entertainment venues, retail spaces or other facilities.
For now, those details remain unknown.
Eagle Hills takes on one of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent waterfront sites
The confirmation from Eagle Hills gives fresh momentum to a site that has long been seen as having major development potential.
The developer is led by Mohamed Alabbar and has a portfolio spanning several markets, including the UAE. However, no official announcement has yet detailed the scale, value or completion date of the Lulu Island project.
That means residents and investors should be cautious about reports circulating online that claim specific numbers of homes, residents or facilities.
Until Eagle Hills releases its masterplan, the confirmed information is limited: the company is overseeing the development, and work is under way on the island.
This distinction is important, especially as previous planning documents and proposals for Lulu Island are not necessarily the same as the new development now being undertaken.
What does Abu Dhabi’s long-term plan say about Lulu Island?
Lulu Island has featured in Abu Dhabi’s wider urban planning vision for years.
The official Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 identifies Lulu Island as a special district and outlines a long-term planning concept that included tourism, open spaces, public beaches, housing, government institutions and recreational areas. The framework also called for a comprehensive development plan for the island.
The plan was prepared by the former Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council to help guide the capital’s future growth, covering major areas such as land use, transport, open space, environmental considerations and the overall image of the city.
However, it is important to note that this is planning context rather than a confirmed blueprint for the Eagle Hills project.
The new development could follow a very different design and land-use mix. Until the developer or a relevant Abu Dhabi authority releases further information, the final vision for the island remains under wraps.
How could the Lulu Island development support Abu Dhabi’s tourism growth?
The timing of the project comes as Abu Dhabi continues to expand its tourism and visitor offering.
The emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030, led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, aims to increase visitor numbers from nearly 24 million in 2023 to 39.3 million by 2030. The strategy also targets AED90 billion in annual tourism and travel sector contribution to GDP and an estimated 178,000 new jobs by the end of the decade.
The strategy also includes plans to expand accommodation capacity, diversify visitor experiences and strengthen tourism infrastructure across the emirate.
While Lulu Island has not been officially identified as part of a specific Tourism Strategy 2030 project, its location gives it clear potential to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s broader waterfront and destination offering.
If the eventual development includes hospitality, leisure, public spaces or tourism attractions, it could add another major destination close to the Corniche and the city centre.
That, however, will depend entirely on the masterplan that is eventually announced.
For Abu Dhabi residents, the redevelopment could eventually bring new waterfront spaces, leisure options and potentially new residential or hospitality choices.
For businesses and investors, the project could unlock development opportunities in a location that has remained largely unused for decades.
The wider significance is also tied to Abu Dhabi’s continued growth. The capital is investing in new tourism, cultural, entertainment and infrastructure projects as it works towards its 2030 targets.
What changes next will depend on Eagle Hills’ official plans.
The key details still missing include:
- The total project value
- The size and scope of the development
- Residential and commercial components
- Hotels, resorts or tourism facilities
- Public access to beaches and open spaces
- Transport and connectivity
- Construction and completion timelines
Until those details are officially released, Lulu Island remains one of Abu Dhabi’s biggest development stories to watch.
FAQs
Who is developing Lulu Island in Abu Dhabi?
Eagle Hills Properties has confirmed that it is overseeing a development project on Lulu Island.
Where is Lulu Island located?
Lulu Island is a man-made island located around 500 metres off Abu Dhabi’s Corniche.
What will be built on Lulu Island?
The final masterplan has not yet been officially announced. Details about homes, hotels, attractions, retail spaces and other facilities are still unknown.
Is construction already happening on Lulu Island?
Yes. Construction activity and machinery have been reported on the island, while Eagle Hills has confirmed that it is overseeing the development project.
When will Lulu Island open?
No official completion date or opening timeline has been announced so far.
After decades of waiting, Lulu Island is finally moving towards development. Eagle Hills’ confirmation marks the clearest sign yet that one of Abu Dhabi’s most prominent but largely untouched waterfront locations could soon be transformed.
The final vision is still to come, but with construction activity under way and Abu Dhabi continuing to push its tourism and urban development ambitions, this is a project worth watching.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
Read More
- Abu Dhabi Restaurants Must Add Healthy Menu Options From October 1, 2026
- HYROX Abu Dhabi 2026: What’s Confirmed So Far About the Next UAE Race
- Abu Dhabi Plants 14 Million Flowers and Opens 4 New Parks Across the City
- Planning Emirati Women’s Day in Dubai? Here Are the Events to Know
