Beyond The News: Issue 10

Fahid Island: Designing the Future of Wellness, Living, and Legacy

A new era of living is taking shape along Abu Dhabi’s coast, with wellness, education and community at its core. This edition of Beyond the News takes a closer look at Fahid Island as a landmark project shaping placemaking trends in the UAE and beyond.

Wellness by Design 

Fahid Island sets a new standard for community living by reimagining wellness not as a feature, but as a foundational principle. From 15 km of interconnected walkways prioritising thermal comfort to 7.5 acres of open space, every element of the masterplan has been shaped to encourage movement and connection. 

This is wellness by design: neighbourhoods that are inherently walkable, homes connected to nature, and amenities that foster physical and mental wellbeing. Over 30% of the island is dedicated to green and natural spaces - wellness corridors, trails, and Berm Park’s 10km linear landscape that buffers residents from urban noise while providing immersive, restorative experiences.

Globally, we’re seeing a shift: wellness is no longer a lifestyle perk, but a life necessity. The UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031 and the Department of Health’s Longevity Declaration mark a policy-level commitment to healthspan, not just lifespan. 

As wellness moves from trend to imperative, Aldar is positioning Fahid Island and Abu Dhabi as leaders in preventive health through real estate, shaping environments that help people live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

Koichi Takada: A new language of wellness architecture

Designed by renowned architect Koichi Takada, Fahid Beach Residences offer a modern take on coastal living inspired by the ocean’s rhythms. Two façade styles - Curl (offshore wave motion) and Tide (gentle water layering)-define the architecture.

Every choice, from materials to orientation, prioritises wellness - maximising natural light, framing peaceful views, and blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries to promote a balanced lifestyle.

Inside, wellness continues with Italian-branded kitchens, spa-like rain showers, integrated storage, and calming coastal tones. Amenities include private cinemas, wellness zones, and co-working lounges, creating a resort-style environment that supports wellbeing daily.

This architecture is purposeful-designed to enhance how residents live, connect, and thrive in a wellness-centred community.

Aldar’s Cecilia Reinaldo shares further insights on Fahid Beach Residences, its design, and its wellness-focused interiors with Brandy Scott, presenter of Dubai Eye’s Business Breakfast. 

A World-First Fitwel Island

Fahid Island’s distinction as the first Fitwel-certified island worldwide reflects a commitment to measurable, science-backed health outcomes. It sets a new global benchmark for wellness real estate and reaffirms Aldar’s leadership in creating places that not only meet today’s needs but also anticipate tomorrow’s expectations.

Fitwel evaluates how well a development supports health across multiple dimensions - from promoting physical activity to improving mental health and fostering social connection. 

Commenting on Fahid Island achieving the highest 3-star Fitwel rating during Dubai Eye’s Business Breakfast, Joanna Frank, President & CEO of Fitwel, said: “Nobody else has used Fitwel at this scale before…it is an amazing step forward and will really set the bar now for the rest of the world.” 

Listen to the full interview here.

Education as a strategic anchor

Education is a key driver for families relocating internationally. A recent study found 32% of UK parents with children in independent schools cited education as their primary reason for moving abroad. And nearly 70% of expat parents rate UAE education as better or much better than their home countries, up from 36% in 2014.

Fahid Island meets this demand with the first announced regional campus of King’s College School, Wimbledon - one of the UK’s most prestigious academic institutions.

Opening in 2028, the school will offer a K-12 British curriculum, preparing students for success at top global universities such as the University of Edinburgh, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of St Andrews, Imperial College London, University College London, Columbia University, Yale University, Princeton University, Trinity College Dublin, and Sciences Po. But more than academics, the school is designed to reflect the island’s wellness-centric ethos—combining rigorous learning with wellbeing programmes, sports excellence, and community engagement.

Strategically, this creates a powerful draw for Abu Dhabi. Leading schools don’t just attract families, they retain them. By embedding best-in-class education into the masterplan, Aldar is strengthening the social fabric of the community and enhancing the long-term value of its real estate portfolio.

Investment insights: The case for Abu Dhabi grows stronger

The strong response to Fahid Island’s first residential developments, Fahid Beach Residences and The Beach House went beyond numbers - it signalled a shift in what defines value for today’s buyers. Within launch week, the development generated over AED 3.5 billion in sales, with:

• 67% first-time Aldar buyers
• 42% of buyers under the age of 45
• A global buyer base spanning the UAE, Russia, the UK, and China

These are signals: younger, international investors seek lifestyle-driven destinations prioritising wellness, education, and design. Abu Dhabi’s market is evolving into a hub for long-term, future-focused investment.

With Abu Dhabi ranked among the top five global cities for corporate relocations and private wealth growth (Savills, 2024), and with the UAE attracting $45.6 billion in foreign direct investment last year (UNCTAD 2025), these trends are not isolated. They are part of a broader shift that places Abu Dhabi firmly on the global stage as a desirable place to live, work and invest.