The History of Saadiyat Island: The Untold Story

Today Saadiyat Island is one of Abu Dhabi’s most prestigious addresses. The Louvre Abu Dhabi has already set the tone, and with the much-anticipated Guggenheim Abu Dhabi on its way, the island’s reputation as a global arts and culture hub is firmly established.

But Saadiyat’s story didn’t begin in the 21st century. Long before it became a symbol of modern luxury, with five-star resorts and world-class museums scattered across its shores, it was already alive with history, human ambition, and a narrative far richer than the blank slate it is often mistaken for.

This is the history of Saadiyat Island, one that stretches back much further than you might expect… 

A Land Older Than We Thought

While today’s Saadiyat goes hand in hand with modernity and innovation, evidence suggests that human activity on the island dates back to the Neolithic period. Archaeological discoveries indicate traces of early settlements, people likely enticed by the island’s proximity to the sea and its resources. Signs of fishing, pearl diving, and trade prove that this land has been an important part of the region’s story for thousands of years.

Despite this, Saadiyat was for years described as an untouched wilderness, an empty desert just waiting to be developed. The famed architect Frank Gehry, who designed the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, even called it “a clean slate in a country full of resources.” It’s a compelling image, but it’s one that overlooks the island’s long and complex past.

Guests of Jumeirah Saadiyat Island

A Forgotten Community

In the mid-20th century, Saadiyat was home to a small but significant population. Families lived in areesh (palm-frond huts) or sha’abi houses – early government-built homes designed to provide modern living conditions for Emirati citizens. Life here followed the seasons: during the cooler months, the island was a thriving and close-knit settlement, while at the height of summer many residents moved inland to Al Ain to escape the humidity of the coast.

Though modest in size, this community was a real one - it had traditions, livelihoods, a connection to the island that spanned back generations - so it’s interesting that early British maps of Abu Dhabi barely acknowledge Saadiyat at all. Rather than marking it as a distinct island, they refer only to ‘Khaur al Sadiyat’ (Saadiyat Creek), raising questions about whether the island went by a different name back then, or was simply overlooked by colonial mapmakers.

Sheikh Zayed’s Green Dream

Fast forward to the early 1970s and Saadiyat had become the focus of an ambitious environmental experiment. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE, was deeply invested in sustainable development. After reading about groundbreaking hydroponic farming techniques in Time magazine, he saw an opportunity to test these pioneering techniques in the UAE’s arid climate.

Working with the University of Arizona, he launched a greenhouse initiative on Saadiyat Island which began with sending three Emirati students - Abdullah Kaddas Al Romaithi, Mohammad Mjrin Al Romaithi, and Hamad Al Mazrouei - to Arizona to study agricultural engineering. They returned home with cutting-edge knowledge, and their mentor Professor Merle Jensen helped to oversee the project, which quickly gained international attention.

Soon the Saadiyat greenhouses were featured in National Geographic and broadcast on global television. Sheikh Zayed was proud of the initiative, often bringing distinguished guests to see it in action. Among the notable visitors? None other than boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who toured the facility in 1974 while in Abu Dhabi for a fundraising event.

Louvre Abu Dhabi

The Birth of a Cultural Powerhouse

By the early 2000s Saadiyat Island’s fate was set to change dramatically. In 2004, the Abu Dhabi government announced bold plans to transform the island into a global centre of art, culture, and education – an visionary project that was part of a larger initiative to diversify the emirate’s economy beyond oil. 

By 2006, the Tourism Development and Investment Company was established to oversee the transformation, and Saadiyat Island’s metamorphosis into a cultural powerhouse began. The cultural district was designed to house some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including:

The Louvre Abu Dhabi – Opened in 2017, this Jean Nouvel-designed masterpiece bridges civilisations through its collection of global art.

The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi – Set to open in the coming years, Frank Gehry’s futuristic design will redefine modern art in the region.

The Zayed National Museum – A tribute to Sheikh Zayed’s legacy, this museum will tell the story of the UAE’s founding and cultural evolution.

Manarat Al Saadiyat – Meaning ‘The Lighthouse of Saadiyat’, this space hosts exhibitions, performances, and creative workshops.

New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) – The island’s reputation as a knowledge hub was solidified when NYU opened its Abu Dhabi campus in 2010, attracting students from across the world.

Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island

A Place of Ever-Changing Landscapes

Today, Saadiyat Island stands as a beautiful intersection of the past and the future. Its evolution into a luxury and cultural destination is undeniable, but its history continues to shape its identity. Archaeologists like Dr. Mark Jonathan Beech are still uncovering the island’s secrets, piecing together its role in the broader history of the UAE.

The narrative of Saadiyat as a barren land waiting for human intervention in the modern day quite simply doesn’t hold up. It’s a place where ancient settlers lived, where generations built homes, where farmers attempted to cultivate life from the desert sands long before the first museum or luxury hotel was even imagined.

Understanding the history of Saadiyat Island also works to reshape our perspective on Abu Dhabi. The story of the UAE’s capital is often told through the tale of Bedouins following a gazelle to the site where the first watchtower was built, but archaeological evidence suggests that settlements on Saadiyat existed at the same time, if not earlier – this island has always been part of the region’s history.

A guest of Jumeirah Saadiyat Island

Saadiyat Island: More Than Just a Destination

The history of Saadiyat Island tells us that yes, it is a cultural powerhouse, but it’s also more than just a 21st century vision brought to life. It’s a living, breathing testament to the UAE’s past, present, and incredibly bright future.

Our experts are all things Saadiyat Island, and can recommend the best itineraries that visit the cultural highlights mentioned in this article.

Call us today if you want to visit this beautiful area of Abu Dhabi.

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