Few addresses in the Gulf carry genuine historical weight. Al Ras Al Akhdar, the quiet headland along Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, is one of them. For generations, families came here to swim and gather by the water. Now, for the first time, thirty-five families will live where only the Palace has stood: introducing Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi.
For more than two decades, Emirates Palace has served as one of the Arab world’s most recognised landmarks. It has hosted state visits, national celebrations, and defining moments in the story of the UAE. Until now, its grounds have remained closed to private home ownership.
That changes with Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi. Thirty-five standalone private mansions, each uniquely designed, will sit within the Palace precinct itself, managed by Mandarin Oriental, one of the world’s most celebrated luxury hotel groups.
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi- Where Legacy Lives
The mansions occupy the heart of Abu Dhabi’s ceremonial coastline, near Qasr Al Watan, the Presidential Palace, and the Founder’s Memorial, a grand tribute to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the visionary founder of modern Abu Dhabi
The Corniche curves gracefully along the waterfront, with the Arabian Gulf beyond. The civic and historical importance of this position is unmatched.
This coastline carries a long memory. In the neighbouring district of Al Bateen, dhows were once built by hand for pearl diving and trade. The craft and knowledge passed between generations, helping shape the cultural foundations of the nation.
Two internationally recognised architectural practices, WSA and SAOTA, were invited to interpret that same spirit of craft and continuity to the masterplan and design of the mansions. Together they have created four distinct grand mansion designs, each with its own character, yet guided by shared values of heritage, tranquillity, discretion and elegance.
Entrances to these branded mansions unfold gradually, drawing residents through the landscape before arriving at the home itself. Careful and deliberate landscaping creates privacy without walls, and carefully considered sight lines that bring calm and clarity to every space.
Every mansion is positioned within the development deliberately, whether enclosed within a private garden or turned towards the sea, with light, breeze and elevation shaping every emotion.
These homes share a commitment to proportion, natural light and seamless connection to the surrounding landscape, representing a continuity of values that honours the past while reflecting the present.
Life at the Mansions, by Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental brings more than sixty years of operating some of the world’s finest hotels and residences. Its approach to service is rooted in one principle: genuine care should anticipate needs rather than react to them.
A dedicated team will handle every detail of daily life, owners will have exclusive access to a private spa, secluded pool, cigar room and an executive office reserved solely for the thirty-five residences.
The highest standard of service remains invisible. It simply ensures that life on these historic grounds is exactly as it should be.
These are homes conceived for a lineage, not just a lifetime.
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi was officially announced in a press release May 18th by Emirates Palace Company, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and real estate developer Lead Development
For more information and register interest in this exclusive development visit the developers website.
