Aldar Unveils Mandarin Oriental Penthouses in Abu Dhabi

Now’s your chance to live like a Middle Eastern sheikh. Aldar, a top developer in Abu Dhabi, just unveiled their “Legend Collection,” two five-bedroom penthouses atop the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG)-designed Mandarin Oriental Residences Saadiyat Cultural District Center with elegant interiors by the award-winning, N.Y.-based firm Lillian Wu Studio.

Cutting-edge design, plus breathtaking vantages of the Arabian Sea and the Zayed National Museum, are just a taste of what to expect. Each of the single-floor residences spans almost 22,000 square feet with a private elevator entry, a rooftop swimming pool, and an array of posh fittings and furnishing from grand chandeliers to veined marbles. Pricing for the penthouses will start at $45 million (AED 165 million) via Aldar.

Soaring ceilings and warm ambient lighting welcomes owners into the tower’s stunning lobby, where BIG’s commitment to airy, open spaces is first recognized. Wallpapers here, topped by bronzed birds and leafy plants, carry over to the penthouses where a similar treatment embellishes each unit’s dedicated elevator landing. 

In renderings, the living and dinig rooms of one of the penthouses feature curved walls of frameless glass that provide panoramic skyline views of Abu Dhabi. The open-plan kitchen is streamlined with lighted shelves, while an expansive study provides space to talk business and send emails among a floor-to-ceiling display shelves with integrated lighting that illuminates treasured tchotchkes. The primary suite, which includes a sitting room, is encased in glass walls that slide open to a terrace with ample room for lounging in the omnipresent sunshine, the travertine-clad primary bath is anchored by a circular soaking, and the walk in closet includes a vanity with an unobstructed view of the cityscape.

Along with a private rooftop pool, residents and their lucky guests gain access to several amenities across the residential towers for fun and relaxation. Indoor and outdoor pools, plus a spa and wellness studio balance out Zen. Elsewhere are a cinema, golf simulator, and private dining rooms.

Aldar announced their Mandarin Oriental Residences Saadiyat Cultural District Center project in November 2024, ahead of launching sales that same month. The development includes 224 other residences, in addition to the two penthouses, with one- to four-bedroom layouts that range in price from $1.8 million to $14.2 million. It is the first Mandarin Oriental Residences in Abu Dhabi.

Click here for more images of the Abu Dhabi penthouse.