Ohana, Manchester City Break Ground at Yas Residences

Ohana Development and Manchester City have officially broken ground at the site of Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana.

The ceremony was held at the development's newly opened Experience Centre on Yas Canal, Abu Dhabi.

Officials from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre attended, alongside senior executives from Ohana Development and City Football Group.

Overlooking Yas Canal, the project is the world's first Manchester City-branded residential community.

It aims to create a complete neighbourhood centred around the football club's values, with a strong focus on wellness, sport, performance, and elevated everyday living.

What the CEOs Said

Husein Salem is CEO of Ohana Development. He said the vision was to build a destination where he would want his own family to live, combining distinctive design, quality, and attainable luxury.

He said the groundbreaking ceremony marks a major milestone, turning vision and planning into real-life execution.

He called it the first Manchester City-branded community in the world and expects it to become a major destination at Yas Canal.

Ferran Soriano is CEO of City Football Group. He said the partnership with Ohana was a natural fit, as both organisations share a focus on performance, innovation, and progress.

He said the community is designed to reflect what Manchester City represents for the people who will live there daily.

Unprecedented Demand

Interest in the project was strong even before construction began. Ohana Development, known for its attainable luxury projects and partnerships with brands including Elie Saab and Jacob & Co., achieved Dh6 billion worth of sales within 72 hours of launch.

The groundbreaking marks the shift from a successful launch phase into actual development.

Also Read: Azizi New Meydan 5-Star Hotel Set for 2028 Opening

Community Scale and Amenities

The gated waterfront community spans 1.67 million square metres. More than 55 percent of the development is dedicated to green spaces and landscaped areas.

• A Manchester City training academy
• Recovery-led wellness facilities and fitness centres
• A marina sports club and canal-front promenade
• City Lounge and City Café

An immersive Experience Centre lets prospective buyers explore the project through an audio-visual room and detailed models showing the scale and design of the community.

Also Read: UAE Property: Rising Rents Push Young Buyers to Own Homes

What Comes Next

Mustafa El Sammak is COO of Ohana Development. He said the ambition goes beyond handing over keys, aiming to deliver every aspect of community living, from the training academy to wellness experiences, so the project feels like an extension of residents' homes.

With construction now underway and record pre-sales achieved, the focus shifts to delivering the full lifestyle proposition built around Manchester City's identity.

Enjoyed this update? Visit PropTech Pulse for more real estate news, investment insights and property market trends.