For most of the last two decades, luxury in Abu Dhabi meant height. A corner unit on a high floor. A skyline view. Proximity to whichever tower happened to be tallest that year. That equation is quietly being rewritten. A growing number of buyers are trading vertical prestige for horizontal space: private gardens instead of balconies, walking trails instead of elevator lobbies, tidal creeks instead of a marina glimpsed from the fortieth floor.

Abu Dhabi's property market is moving fast. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre recorded more than AED 66 billion in real estate transactions across over 13,500 deals, more than double the value and volume seen in the same period a year earlier. Off-plan sales made up the bulk of that activity, with new launches appearing across Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and other prime areas almost every month. Roughly 15,900 new residential units are expected to be delivered across the emirate in 2026 alone.

On Sunday, 19 July, the FIFA World Cup 2026 champions will be crowned at New York New Jersey Stadium. In addition to the iconic trophy and prestigious gold medals, a new symbol of triumph will be awarded to the winning team.

Twenty-nine countries on Thursday signed an agreement in Shanghai on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO), Xinhua news agency reported.