Property hunters on Abu Dhabi's Reem Island would be hard pressed to find any villas. The island, a popular location for expatriates in the capital, is dominated by high-rise towers containing hundreds of apartments, plus a cluster of only 42 villas in a development called <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/villas-on-reem-are-bit-of-a-dream-1.173352" target="_blank">Nalaya Villas, which opened in 2016</a>. But that is set to change after <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2022/03/17/reem-hills-21bn-gated-community-with-man-made-hill-launched-in-abu-dhabi/" target="_blank">Q Properties recently announced Reem Hills</a>, a Dh8 billion ($2.1bn) gated development covering an area of 1.8 million square metres on Reem Island. The development has a gradation of levels, with the higher-most hill offering "360 degree views", from "greenery to sea", the developer says on its website. While the number of residential units have not yet been disclosed, the development will feature a park, schools, community centre and retail outlets. Newly obtained images show a variety of villa styles, with houses surrounded by dense foliage. Floor-to-ceiling windows feature throughout, with interiors filled with natural light, while private swimming pools also appear to be available at the units. Properties on an elevation can also be seen, providing views across the island and beyond. Q Properties last week <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2022/04/22/q-properties-appoints-abu-dhabi-company-to-manage-21bn-reem-hills-project/" target="_blank">appointed Abu Dhabi-based Royal Development Company</a> to manage Reem Hills. RDC, the property management unit of business conglomerate Emirates Stallions Group, will manage the entire project, from planning to implementation, including the design management and supervision of all contractors, ESG <a href="https://adxservices.adx.ae/WebServices/DataServices/contentDownload.aspx?doc=2512293">said in a statement</a>. The first phase of the project is due for completion in December 2024, said ESG, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company. Reem Hills is one of many property projects announced in Abu Dhabi this year. There is <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/home/2022/03/16/louvre-abu-dhabi-residences-new-project-by-aldar-has-views-of-museum-and-arabian-gulf/">Louvre Abu Dhabi Residences</a> by Aldar, while Bloom Holding is also tapping into the gated community model with its Dh9bn <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2022/03/20/bloom-holding-launches-245bn-spanish-style-project-with-4000-homes-in-abu-dhabi/">Bloom Living project</a>, near Abu Dhabi International Airport. Aldar also announced the acquisition of 6.2 million square metres of land on Saadiyat Island to <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2022/04/04/aldar-acquires-land-on-saadiyat-island-to-develop-4bn-mega-project/">develop a Dh15bn mega mixed-use project</a>.
