The new geography of luxury: the wellness island designed by Kengo Kuma

Located in the Persian Gulf just off Abu Dhabi’s coastline, Fahid is set to become the new flagship among the emirate’s residential models. Its masterplan, recently unveiled by real estate developer Aldar, is inspired by a vision of holistic wellbeing and calls for the creation of six thousand luxury homes — some designed by Kengo Kuma and Koichi Takada — fully integrated into a landscape of palm trees and mangroves. The island’s compact size, covering just under three square kilometers, not only provides the foundations for a socially intimate community, but also for a lifestyle removed from metropolitan frenzy. Its close relationship with the sea will offer visitors and new inhabitants an immediate and unmistakable advantage: every residence will be no more than a five-minute walk from the water, granting effortless access to crystal-clear beaches. A 10-kilometer nature trail, the Berm Park, will serve as a fitness hub, with a dedicated running track and cycling lanes connected to Abu Dhabi’s wider network. The 2-kilometer waterfront will embody the island’s social heart, its central gathering place, while Coral Drive will become the main retail artery. The creation of shaded areas will be carefully planned to ensure walkability despite the region’s extreme heat.

In addition to soft mobility and immersion in nature — a novelty for urban spaces in the Gulf — the island will offer another strategic advantage: its proximity to Abu Dhabi’s other emblematic islands, Yas Island, the artificial lifestyle destination, and Saadiyat Island, dedicated to culture and wellness. Together, they form a triad-archipelago in which each island’s vocation resonates with the others, turning intimacy and connectivity into an opportunity to attract investment and new residents.