Marlin Reportage

246 homes on 4,308 sqm: Marlin bets on the family format at Shams Abu Dhabi

The Marlin Reportage plot measures 4,308 sqm, and Reportage Properties is fitting 246 apartments onto it. That works out to roughly 17.5 sqm of land per unit, a tight ratio but a common one on Al Reem Island. The scheme splits into two buildings sitting on a shared podium: Tower A holds 132 units, Tower B 114. Both top out at 80 metres, a modest height for an area where towers of 40 storeys and more are routine. Handover is scheduled for December 2027, on a freehold basis, as is standard for residential schemes across the island.

Tower A: 41% two bedroom units, a third large layouts

The brochure only breaks down the unit mix for Tower A, and it's worth a close look. It lists 36 one bedroom apartments, 54 two bedroom apartments, 18 three bedroom apartments and 20 four bedroom apartments. On top of that come three three bedroom penthouses and a single four bedroom penthouse. In total, 42 of the 132 units have three bedrooms or more, nearly a third of the building. That profile contrasts with Vista 3, another Reportage scheme on Reem Island, where small units make up the bulk of the programme.

Two 80 metre buildings on a three level podium

The vertical layout follows a readable pattern. A partial basement and a ground floor form the base, topped by two podium levels given over to parking. A third podium level houses the shared amenities. Above that sit 18 typical floors, then a rooftop level occupied by the penthouses. The stated architectural approach relies on floor to ceiling windows facing the water, double glazed joinery and centralised air conditioning.

356 parking spaces for 246 apartments

This figure is worth dwelling on. The brochure lists 356 parking spaces, around 1.45 per unit. On an island where many residences cap out at one space per apartment, that's a genuine selling point for households running two vehicles, and it lines up with the heavy share of three and four bedroom units. The amenity podium includes large infinity pools, children's pools, a play area and a gym. Units come fitted with built in wardrobes, a kitchen fitted with cabinets and worktops, fully tiled bathrooms, and balconies or terraces depending on the layout.

Shams Abu Dhabi, between Reem Mall and Al Maryah

Marlin sits in the Shams district, on the side of Reem Island facing Al Maryah Island and its ADGM financial centre. Based on the driving times supplied by the developer, Al Reem Central Park is 2 minutes away and Shams Boutik 6 minutes. Abu Dhabi Mall is 12 minutes out, while Cleveland Clinic and Al Maryah's The Galleria sit at 13 minutes. Downtown Abu Dhabi is 15 minutes away, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Island are 20 minutes out. Reem Mall, with its indoor snow park, is within walking distance according to the GenieMap listing, which puts it at around a ten minute walk.

A developer running multiple schemes across the island

Reportage Properties markets itself as one of the largest private developers in the UAE, with projects in Egypt, Turkey and Morocco. Its long standing pitch leans on accessible housing rather than top tier positioning. Marlin fits that pattern: two mid height towers, well documented standard finishes, and few signature flourishes. For a buyer, the appeal lies mainly in the family friendly mix and the parking ratio. The unit breakdown for Tower B, missing from the documentation reviewed, would still be needed before any close comparison with neighbouring schemes.