New Abdali

New Abdali is an area in the Al-Abdali district in Amman, Jordan. Its development plan, launched in 2005, consisting of hotels, apartments, offices, commercial outlets, and entertainment to be developed on 384,000 square metres (0.148 sq mi) of land, intending to create a total built-up area of over 2,000,000 square metres (0.77 sq mi).^[1]^[2] The area already hosts and will further host nearly all of the tallest buildings in Amman, including the current two tallest completed buildings of Amman which are Amman Rotana and W Amman.

A second phase was announced in May 2024, which will cover 1.2 million square meters and is expected to create over 3,000 jobs annually. It includes the construction of a multi-use conference center for 25,000 people, two towers with hotels, residential apartments, commercial centers, and advanced medical facilities. This phase aims to enhance Jordan's position in specialized tourism and promote a sustainable environment with green spaces.^[3]

History

The project's idea was conceived in the early 2000s during a meeting between the then Lebanese prime minister and business tycoon Rafic Hariri and King Abdullah.^[4]

Project components

Phase I

It is envisioned as the commercial and business center of Amman. Phase I contains the following built up area:

Residential 287,000 square metres (28%)
Offices 363,000 square metres (35%)
Hotels 111,000 square metres (11%)
Retail 273,000 square metres (26%)

Total: 1,034,000 square metres

Phase II

It is envisioned with a central green park. Phase II contains the following built up area:

Hotels 62,000 square metres (9%)
Retail 47,000 square metres (6%)
Residential 457,000 square metres (63%)
Offices 156,000 square metres (22%)

Total: 722,000 square metres

Overall project

Hotels 173,000 square metres (10%)
Retail 320,000 square metres (18%)
Residential 744,000 square metres (42%)
Offices 519,000 square metres (30%)

Total: 1,756,000 square metres^[5]

Developments

Phase I of Abdali Project

Completed developments

Abdali Mall Company (Abdali Mall)
Emirates Tourism Investment Company LLC (Amman Rotana)
Abdali Boulevard Company (The Boulevard)
Saraya Abdali for Real Estate & Investment (W Hotel)
Al Riyah Real Estate Development Company (Kawar Keystone)
Jordan Dubai Properties for Land Development Company (Business Square)
Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank
Al Eqtidar for Real Estate Development
The Orphan Fund Development Corporation
Mr. Ziad Asaad Odeh
Mediterranean & Gulf Insurance & Reinsurance Company
AJIB Real Estate Investment Company
Juba Investment & Development Company (Commerce One)
Matrix Development (Crystalle Residence)
Sawa International Company
Irsa'a Real Estate Company
Sultan Bouran, Ishaq Bouran & Fawaz Shalan
Advanced for Real Estate Investment Company
Al Taher Real Estate & Development Company
Al Waleed Real Estate
Audi Bank
EDGO Ventures Ltd (The Atrium)
Adnan Saffarini & Sons
Societe Generale de Banque-Jordan
Abdali views (The Edge Tower)
Al Seraje for Real Estate Development (Abdali Gateway)
Damac Properties Company LLC (The Heights, Lofts & Courtyard)
Abdali Medical Center (AMC)

Planned developments

Abdali Mall Company (Abdali Mall Tower)
Saraya Jordan (Capital Tower)
Abdali Investment & Development PSC (Al-Hamad 1B Tower)
Philadelphia for Commercial Complexes LLC (The Avenue)
Bank al Etihad (K Tower)

Reception

The Abdali development has faced critiques for creating a neoliberal "urban enclave." Critics argue that its "auto-centric" design effectively excludes individuals without access to private vehicles, which raises concerns regarding accessibility and inclusivity within the urban space.