Saadiyat Cultural District: Abu Dhabi’s $27B Cultural Hub Nears Completion

The Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, a massive cultural constellation, is 76% complete, with several museums set to open in 2025. The district includes the Zayed National Museum (designed by Foster + Partners), Guggenheim Abu Dhabi (by Frank Gehry), Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (by Mecanoo), and teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi. Louvre Abu Dhabi, opened in 2017, has welcomed over five million visitors. The district is overseen by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, chaired by His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. The project honors the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding father. Manarat Al Saadiyat, opened in 2009, hosts Abu Dhabi Art and the Culture Summit. Berklee Abu Dhabi, the Middle East's first Berklee outpost, opened in 2020. The district aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global hub for culture, education, and tourism.