Saadiyat Island
Saadiyat Island (meaning "Island of Happiness") is a large, low lying Dhs.100 billion (US$ 27 billion) mixed commercial, residential, and leisure island development located 500 meters off the coast of Abu Dhabi.
Saadiyat Island which will eventually house approximately 150,000 residents and will be connected to Abu Dhabi via two ten-lane causeways; is expected to become Abu Dhabi's cultural centre and will boast seven distinct districts which will cater to the commercial, residential, leisure and tourism needs of Abu Dhabi - Cultural District, Saadiyat Beach, South Beach, The Wetlands, Island Lagoons, Al Marina and Eco Point.
Projects which have been announced include the development of a Frank Gehry designed, $400 million Guggenheim Museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art to be completed in 2011. Other attractions also planned for the island include a Louvre scheduled for completion in 2012, a world class performing arts centre and concert hall, Maritime Museum and Sheikh Zayed National Museum.