![Saadiyat Cultural District 3D Render Aerial at Sunset (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)](https://cdn.businesstraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/fly-images/1534379/SCD-3D-Render_Aerial-02_Sunset_1-1160x652.jpg "(Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)")
Almost two decades in the making, Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi – which was first proposed back in 2006 – will be ready for its grand unveiling with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) recently confirming that the project is on track for completion in 2025. The project has opened some of its attractions in phases over the past seven years already, and once completed, it will boast one of the greatest concentrations of cultural institutions, allowing visitors to experience a wealth of global talent in one world-class destination.
![Saadiyat Cultural District, 3D Render (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)](https://cdn.businesstraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Saadiyat-Cultural-District_teamLab-Phenomena-Abu-Dhabi_3D-Render_1.jpg "Saadiyat Cultural District, 3D Render (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)")
Among its already-open cultural institutions, Saadiyat Cultural District is already home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first universal museum in the Arab world, which has already welcomed 5 million visitors since its opening in 2017. The museum is renowned for its breathtaking architecture and its varied collections that showcase artwork from different cultures side by side, brought together through the story of human connection. Nearby, Berklee Abu Dhabi offers music, educational and performing arts programmes throughout the year, while Saadiyat Cultural District’s Manarat Al Saadiyat serves as a centre for creative artistic expression. The latter is home to two significant initiatives in Abu Dhabi’s cultural calendar: Abu Dhabi Art and Culture Summit Abu Dhabi.
![Saadiyat Cultural District, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Aerial View (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)](https://cdn.businesstraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Saadiyat-Cultural-District_Louvre-Abu-Dhabi_-Aerial.jpg "Saadiyat Cultural District, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Aerial View (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)")
Saadiyat Cultural District is currently 76 per cent complete, with Zayed National Museum included among its remaining highly-anticipated soon-to-open institutions. The national museum of the United Arab Emirates, Zayed National Museum will celebrate the nation’s rich history and culture, as well as honour the legacy of the country’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Meanwhile, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi – a 17,000 sqm experiential art space – will invite visitors on an ever-changing exploration that will transcend the limits of their imagination.
![Saadiyat Cultural District, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Room (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)](https://cdn.businesstraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Saadiyat-Cultural-District_Guggenheim-Abu-Dhabi_Yayoi-Kusama_Infinity-Room_1.jpg "Saadiyat Cultural District, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Room (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)")
These will be joined by the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which will include a research and teaching institution that will take visitors on a 13.8-billion-year journey through the story of our universe and our planet. Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be a pre-eminent museum for contemporary art and culture that will present the most important artistic achievements of our time.
![Saadiyat Cultural District, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Interior (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)](https://cdn.businesstraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Saadiyat-Cultural-District_Natural-History-Museum-Abu-Dhabi_Interior-Image.jpg "(Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)")
A testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to preserving heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision, Saadiyat Cultural District pays homage to the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who defined the cultural agenda and unveiled the history of the UAE to the world through archaeological excavations and findings. This legacy began with the establishment of Al Ain Museum, the first museum in the UAE, which opened in 1971. It continued with the inauguration of the Cultural Foundation in 1981. Today, Sheikh Zayed’s legacy continues to evolve under the guidance of HH Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, and HH Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Saadiyat Cultural District already invites the world to engage with diverse traditions, and foster dialogue and exchange, through a global cultural space that empowers the region and the global south – and once complete, it’s set to be one of the most exciting destinations in the world for art enthusiasts and culture vultures across the globe.
![Saadiyat Cultural District, 3D Render (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة - أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)](https://cdn.businesstraveller.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SCD-3D-Render_Aerial-01_Daylight_1.jpg "Saadiyat Cultural District, 3D Render (Images: ©Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi دائرة الثقافة والسياحة – أبوظبي© The [buildings] depicted in these images are conceptual illustrations. Actual buildings and layouts may differ from the representations shown here by the time of completion. All rights to the images and their contents are reserved. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution of these images is strictly prohibited.)")
To learn more, visit the website at scdabudhabi.ae, or explore the social media channels as below:
Instagram @SaadiyatCulturalDistrict
X @SCDAbuDhabi,
Meta @SaadiyatCulturalDistrictAbuDhabi,
TikTok @saadiyatculturaldistrict
Snapchat @saadiyatcd
