Masdar City and Yas Holding partner to launch sustainable Fay Hills residential community

Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City and Taraf , which is the real estate division of Yas Holding , have announced they’re teaming up on a new project called Fay Hills. It’s a pretty substantial residential development, covering around 153 acres, and it’s being built with a focus on sustainability, well-being, and truly human-centered design. According to the announcement, the plan is to weave Fay Hills into the existing low-carbon fabric of Masdar City, emphasizing walkability, plenty of greenery, and shaded public spaces for residents to enjoy.

Fay Hills is envisioned as a collection of four interconnected villages, linked together by shaded green corridors, landscaped parks, and curated water features. The partners say this scheme fuses Taraf’s design-led approach with Masdar City’s well-established sustainability framework, aiming to build a community that feels calm, balanced, and ready for the future. The first phase, called Fay Gardens, will cover about 33 acres and will feature roughly 130 villas, ranging from four to six bedrooms, arranged around three signature parks: Terra, Aria, and Azura.

Low Ping, the Group CEO of Yas Holding, commented: “Our joint venture with Masdar City really marks an important milestone for Taraf. Fay Hills embodies our shared passion for shaping communities where good design, well-being, and innovative thinking make daily life better. This development , I mean, it really elevates the quality and brings a sense of calm to modern living in Abu Dhabi.” He offered this quote during the project announcement.

Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, added his thoughts: “This partnership really brings together Taraf’s creative vision with Masdar City’s sustainability expertise, to deliver a residential community that showcases low-carbon living at its best. Fay Hills actually reinforces our ongoing commitment to developing inclusive, future-oriented neighborhoods.” That statement also ties into Masdar City’s broader goals.

Now, Masdar City itself was initially conceived by Masdar, which is affiliated with Mubadala, as a sustainable urban district and a hub for clean tech innovation. According to the Masdar City website, the district was designed with ambitions of low-carbon operation, energy-efficient buildings, and integrated renewable energy systems. As of 2024, the city is home to about 15,000 residents and hosts organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency, reflecting its dual role as a lively neighborhood and a real hub for clean energy and innovation.

The Fay Hills project places a strong emphasis on compact, walkable neighborhoods filled with greenery and shared amenities. Taraf and Masdar say the design promotes indoor-outdoor living, shaded community spaces, and pocket parks to support active, nature-connected lifestyles. The masterplan’s village model essentially mirrors Masdar City’s existing approach , mixing uses and creating amenities-rich districts that aim to reduce reliance on cars.

Industry watchers will note that this partnership pulls together two different strengths. Taraf brings Yas Holding’s experience in high-end, design-focused residential projects across Abu Dhabi. Their materials highlight a focus on communities that blend modern architecture with environmental responsibility. On the other hand, Masdar City offers a sustainability framework rooted in low-carbon principles, along with an identity as a district that attracts corporate tenants and research organizations.

This announcement frames Fay Hills as a way to further cement Masdar City’s leadership in sustainable urban living, while also underscoring Taraf’s dedication to long-term value for Abu Dhabi. Interestingly enough, the companies didn’t share many detailed technical specs at this stage. They didn’t specify projected energy performance, embodied carbon targets, or thereabouts. They did mention sustainability as a guiding principle, but the statement didn’t include any specific certification targets or hard numbers.

This leaves, well, a bit of room for more detailed verification later on. In the UAE, both government and private developers are increasingly setting quantifiable goals for large residential projects , net-zero commitments, operational energy benchmarks, lifecycle carbon measures, and so on. Masdar City has historically emphasized renewable energy and energy-efficient buildings, but independent monitoring or clear certification plans for Fay Hills would certainly make the sustainability claims more tangible.

Location-wise, Masdar City is conveniently positioned close to central Abu Dhabi and key transport links. The district is around 20 minutes from downtown Abu Dhabi and just five minutes from Zayed International Airport. So, it’s a logical choice for professionals working in the city but wanting a home in a sustainable, innovative neighborhood. Developers are framing Fay Hills as a place that combines Masdar’s tech-driven community vibe with family-friendly living.

Now, Fay Gardens, being the first phase, targets a specific type of housing: larger villas arranged around three distinct parks. These parks will cater to different social, active, and tranquil needs, emphasizing diversity in community spaces. The plan also puts a lot of emphasis on shaded corridors and water features, which makes sense considering Abu Dhabi’s hot climate, as these design choices aim to boost thermal comfort for residents in public spaces.

Naturally, this project is going to draw some attention from buyers, investors, and sustainability advocates alike. People will have questions about the details , materials used, cooling methods, water conservation strategies, onsite renewable energy systems, and so on. Investors and regulatory bodies might also look for specifics about project timelines, milestones, and any third-party sustainability certifications.

For now, Fay Hills stands as a high-profile collaboration between an established Abu Dhabi developer and Masdar, the city’s sustainability arm. The initial release claims it’s setting out to raise the bar for residential design within Masdar City, blending aesthetic excellence with the district’s sustainability goals. Whether future disclosures will reveal more technical details and measurable targets remains to be seen , but everyone will be watching, for sure.

Source: Noah Wire Services