On 26 October 2026, two decades after it first opened, Emirates Palace is back in the spotlight with Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, a scheme of 35 private residences due for handover in 2029.
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On 26 October 2026, as Emirates Palace marks more than two decades on the Abu Dhabi Corniche, the Emirates Palace residences announced within its grounds are back in the spotlight. Named Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, the 35-residence scheme was unveiled on 18 May 2026 by Emirates Palace Company (EPCO), developer LEAD Development and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. For the first time, private ownership is coming to one of the most iconic sites in the United Arab Emirates, with handover scheduled for 2029.
Key points
- Emirates Palace Company (EPCO), LEAD Development and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group announced Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi on 18 May 2026.
- The scheme comprises 35 private residences within the grounds of Emirates Palace, on the Abu Dhabi Corniche.
- Handover is scheduled for 2029, with residential hotel services managed by Mandarin Oriental.
- This is the first time private ownership has been offered on the Emirates Palace estate, which opened in 2005.
- The hotel has 394 rooms, including 92 suites and 22 residential suites reserved for heads of state.
An ultra-exclusive scheme in the heart of the capital
With just 35 residences, Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi ranks among the most exclusive schemes on the Emirati market. The mansions sit on a large stretch of the Corniche, right beside the hotel, the Qasr Al Watan presidential palace and the Founder's Memorial: the capital's ceremonial waterfront.
The partnership brings together three complementary players. EPCO, the site's long-standing owner, contributes the address and its heritage; LEAD Development handles the real estate development; Mandarin Oriental provides hotel services to residents. Owners get a private home with the services of a grand hotel: concierge, maintenance and access to the hotel's wider offering.
Opened in 2005 at the initiative of the Abu Dhabi government to host international dignitaries, Emirates Palace remains the city's definitive address for official occasions. With this project, a purely hospitality asset also becomes a place to live.
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Branded residences: a segment gaining ground in Abu Dhabi
A branded residence is a freehold home whose design and services carry the name of a luxury hotel brand. For buyers, that name brings three advantages: operating standards recognised worldwide, upkeep of the building handled by the operator, and a strong identity the market recognises instantly at resale.
The Emirates Palace announcement confirms a broader trend. Abu Dhabi is building a high-end residential offer around its flagship hotel addresses, and is now competing with Dubai in a segment its neighbour long dominated. For an overview of neighbourhoods, ownership rules and buyer profiles, see our guide Investir à Abu Dhabi.
What it means for investors
For an investor, the scheme's first source of value is scarcity. With 35 units on an estate never before opened to private ownership, supply is limited by design and the address cannot be replicated. In the ultra-prime segment, this mix of location, hotel branding and low volume is what supports a property's liquidity over time. It guarantees no capital gain, but it protects the asset's market position. We recommend examining the Mandarin Oriental services agreement closely (scope, service charges, rental conditions): it determines the true cost of ownership and the rental potential.
With handover in 2029, the project mainly targets wealth-focused buyers with a long-term view: a second home, family succession or diversification. Off-plan buyers should plan ahead for the timeline and the contract's assignment conditions before handover. Our guide Revente off-plan à Abu Dhabi : comment céder son contrat sets out the steps to follow.
Prices and the payment plan have not yet been made public. Lucretia is following the commercial launch and supports clients with programme analysis, document checks and structuring the acquisition, with advice tailored to each client's wealth situation.
Source: propertynews.ae — 2026-10-26
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About the author
Adeline LAUVERNAY
Real Estate Consultant
An expert in luxury sales and marketing, Adeline honed her sense of high-end service at prestigious Houses such as Hermès and Bvlgari. Her expertise allows her to meet the expectations of a demanding clientele by offering a tailor-made experience. Passionate and rigorous, she supports her clients by identifying unique opportunities and offering exceptional properties perfectly aligned with their aspirations.
