Aldar says all 141 UAE construction sites are active

• $436m paid to contractors in March
• 1,075 homes completed this year
• Work rate up 20% from last year

Aldar, the Abu Dhabi property developer, said construction activity is ongoing across all its sites, including projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

There were 141 active sites in total, including three newly activated ones, with AED1.6 billion ($436 million) paid to contractors for work in March, the developer said in a statement to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. 

In a March 16 report, S&P Global Ratings said it expects construction to continue in the UAE in the short term but that the sector may be impacted if the Iran conflict drags on for a longer period. 

Developers across the UAE told AGBI that construction is holding steady despite the war rattling the real estate market, with major projects broadly on schedule.

According to Aldar, 30 million hours were completed on site, which is an increase of 20 percent from March 2025.

The developer remains on track to hand over more than 3,500 units this year. It has completed construction of 1,075 homes since the start of the year, including 550 units in March alone.

The company’s supply chain is supported by a diversified local network of contractors and suppliers amid a focus on in-country procurement. The move aims to reduce exposure to external variables while enhancing operational continuity. 

Since the start of 2026, Aldar has awarded development contracts valued at AED4.7 billion, including AED1.8 billion awarded in March to five UAE-based contractors. It awarded AED66 billion in development contracts in the UAE last year.

To date in 2026, AED1.78 billion will be recirculated to the local economy through the national in-country value programme. A further 172 tenders are active across its projects with a combined value of more than AED30 billion yet to be awarded.

Group CEO Talal Al Dhiyebi said Aldar is maintaining its delivery momentum, awarding new construction contracts and further strengthening the supply chain.

The company will continue expanding its development pipeline, with the first phase of Yas Park Place in North Yas slated for launch next month, the statement said.

• Carry on building: UAE developers dig in despite war
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• Aldar and Dubai Holding to build 14,000 homes in emirate

Across its portfolio, Aldar manages 155,000 residential units and more than 2.2 million square metres of commercial space.

The company’s financial position remains strong, with available liquidity exceeding AED30 billion. Total revenue backlog across both Aldar and government projects at the end of 2025 stood at AED167 billion.

Last month the developer said revenues rose by nearly half last year, with sales to foreigners accounting for three-quarters of the total in the UAE. It has expanded its landbank in Abu Dhabi by over 2 million square metres and aims to deliver 3,000 residential units with a combined gross development value of almost AED23 billion.

Aldar was listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange in 2005. Its share price fell 2.6 percent to AED7.81 on Thursday and is down around 10 percent so far this year.

Abu Dhabi conglomerate International Holding Company owns 33.61 percent of Aldar, according to its 2024 annual report.