Aldar sells Mamsha Gardens bldg to Hong Kong’s Gaw Capital for Dhs586m

Abu Dhabi-based Aldar Properties has completed the sale of a residential building at Mamsha Gardens to Hong Kong’s Gaw Capital Partners for Dhs586m ($160m), marking the firm’s first investment in the UAE and growing Asian interest in the emirate’s real estate market.

The 71-unit building, one of seven in the Mamsha Gardens development, is located in Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Cultural District and spans more than 16,000 square metres of sellable area.

The transaction reflects Abu Dhabi’s rising profile as a destination for international real estate investment, particularly among buyers from China and Hong Kong.

“This transaction underscores the strength of Aldar’s development platform and the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi’s increasingly mature real estate market to global investors,” said Talal Al Dhiyebi, group CEO at Aldar. “In the first quarter of 2025, 87 per  cent of Aldar’s UAE sales came from international buyers.”

In 2024, Chinese and Hong Kong buyers accounted for Dhs1.5bn of Aldar’s UAE development sales, representing a more than 30-fold increase over 2022. That trend has continued into 2025, with Dhs1.3bn in sales recorded from the same investor base in the first quarter alone.

Christina Gaw, managing principal and global head of Capital Markets at Gaw Capital Partners, described the acquisition as a “landmark investment” that reflects the firm’s confidence in the Middle East market and in Aldar as a strategic partner.

Aldar’s strategic partnership

The deal follows other high-profile capital inflows into Aldar’s platform, including its $1.4 bn strategic partnership with Apollo Global Management in 2022.

The latest transaction is seen as a signal of growing international trust in Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector, supported by economic stability, a favourable regulatory framework, and a maturing market.

“Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for international real estate investment,” said Rashed Al Omaira, acting director general of the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

Due to strong demand for the development, Aldar announced that it will release the seventh building at Mamsha Gardens for sale.

Launching on May 14, the units will be available for all nationalities and are expected to attract investors focused on the short-term rental market, with optional management services provided by Aldar.