MERED has launched Riviera Residences Phase 2 on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) area. Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, the second phase adds 389 apartments, eight Bay Villas, six Sky Villas and a penthouse next to the first Riviera Residences tower. MERED announced the launch on 3 November 2026 and says work will start by the end of this year.
This is one of the few Herzog & de Meuron residential projects in the Gulf, which puts Riviera firmly in Abu Dhabi's luxury waterfront segment.
Credit: MERED
Riviera Residences Phase 2: Key Facts
| Developer | MERED (CEO Michael Belton) |
|---|---|
| Architect | Herzog & de Meuron |
| Location | Al Reem Island, ADGM area, Abu Dhabi |
| Phase 2 homes | 389 apartments, 8 Bay Villas, 6 Sky Villas and 1 penthouse |
| Home types (MERED) | 1–3 bedroom apartments, Bay Villas, Ocean Villas, duplexes and a penthouse |
| Amenities | More than 65,000 sq ft, including pools, spa and wellness, indoor and outdoor fitness, a padel court, lounges and children's play areas |
| Payment plan (MERED) | 5% booking; 50% during construction (including booking); 50% on completion |
| Construction | Phase 2 work to start by the end of 2026; Phase 1 is on schedule for completion in Q3 2029 |
| Prices | Not yet published by MERED |
A Façade Inspired by Pearl Diving
Herzog & de Meuron's design draws on Abu Dhabi's pearl-diving heritage. Custom façade elements inspired by mother-of-pearl give the towers a shimmering finish, and Phase 2 continues that architecture. Inside, MERED highlights a 30-metre-long 3D sand-printed lobby installation designed by the architects, custom glass panels and natural materials. Every home has a private balcony or terrace.
Credit: MERED
Gardens, Promenade and Amenities
The landscaping takes its cue from Mediterranean coastal gardens, adapted for Abu Dhabi's climate:
- Around 300 trees and palms, more than 7,000 sq m of planting and over 60 plant species
- Three themed gardens: the Sea Pearl Garden, Energy Garden and Bloom Orchard
- A 1 km walking path running from the waterfront promenade up to the Sky Garden and Sky Villa terraces
- A waterfront promenade with cafés, restaurants and shops overlooking the bay
"At Riviera Residences, we are bringing global architectural expertise into a design shaped by the capital's heritage and its relationship with the sea," said Michael Belton, CEO of MERED. "At its heart is a simple idea: to live within a garden while looking towards the water and the wider landscape."
Credit: MERED
Credit: MERED
Phase 1 Progress and Demand
MERED says enabling works on Riviera Residences 1 are complete, construction is on schedule for completion in Q3 2029, and all pre-launch units sold out in Q4 2025. Demand across the area is strong: residential sales on Al Reem and Al Maryah islands reached AED 10.5 billion in H1 2026, up 153% year on year, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre.
Developer Track Record
MERED's other project is Iconic Residences in Dubai. DXBinteract's Dubai Land Department data does not yet show any completed MERED projects, so there is no handover record to measure yet.
| MERED handover record (DLD, Dubai) | Result |
|---|---|
| Projects completed on time | 0 |
| Projects completed late | 0 |
| Projects currently overdue | 0 |
Source: DXBinteract (Dubai Land Department transaction data), as of November 2026. DXBinteract covers Dubai only, so Abu Dhabi market figures are not included.
Credit: MERED
What It Means for Buyers
Architecture as the draw. Herzog & de Meuron is behind landmarks such as the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium. Buildings by famous architects tend to hold their appeal in resale markets, which matters on an island with a lot of new supply.
Rare villa product on Reem. Bay Villas, Sky Villas and a penthouse are unusual on Al Reem Island, where most stock is apartments. These will likely be the most sought-after units.
Wait for the price list. MERED has not yet published Phase 2 prices. Phase 1's pre-launch sold out, so register early if you are interested, and compare the final price per square foot with Al Reem's other branded and waterfront launches.
Talk to Luxwell Real Estate
Interested in Riviera Residences Phase 2 or other luxury launches in Abu Dhabi? Luxwell Real Estate is a boutique luxury brokerage in Business Bay. We can shortlist ready and off-plan options, share recent sales data and help you ask the right questions before you commit.
- Email: info@luxwellrealestate.com
- Website: www.luxwellrealestate.com
- Contact form: Contact Luxwell
Sources: MERED launch announcement as reported by TradeArabia and Gulf Construction Online (3 November 2026); MERED official Riviera Residences page (mered.ae); Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre H1 2026 data via MERED; DXBinteract.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Riviera Residences Phase 2?
- It is the second phase of MERED's Riviera Residences on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, launched on 3 November 2026. It has 389 apartments, eight Bay Villas, six Sky Villas and one penthouse.
Who designed Riviera Residences?
- Swiss architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron, known for the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the Beijing National Stadium. The towers have mother-of-pearl-inspired façades referencing Abu Dhabi's pearl-diving heritage.
How much does Riviera Residences Phase 2 cost?
- MERED has not published Phase 2 prices yet. Luxwell will update this article when official prices are released.
What is the payment plan?
- MERED's Riviera page lists 5% on booking, 50% during construction (including the booking amount) and 50% on completion.
When will it be completed?
- MERED says Phase 2 construction will start by the end of 2026. It has not published a Phase 2 handover date; Phase 1 is on schedule for completion in Q3 2029.
Where is Riviera Residences?
- On the Al Reem Island waterfront, within the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) area, with a promenade of cafés, restaurants and shops facing the bay and the Al Reem skyline.
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