Yas Island is set to welcome a new residential landmark in its evolution as one of the UAE’s most sought-after destinations. Recently unveiled in Abu Dhabi, Stellar by ELIE SAAB marks the Maison’s first branded residential project on the island, an ambitious collaboration between Emirates Developments and the renowned couture house. More than a development, it represents a considered translation of ELIE SAAB’s creative universe into architecture, interiors and contemporary living.
Led by Massimiliano Ferrari, CEO of Elie Saab Maison, the project reflects the brand’s growing presence in the region and its vision for a complete lifestyle experience rooted in harmony, proportion and refined design. With 144 bespoke residences, curated amenities and interiors shaped by ELIE SAAB Maison, the launch signals a defining moment for the brand’s expansion into high-end real estate.
In the conversation that follows, Ferrari shares insights into the strategy behind this milestone, the design philosophy driving Stellar by ELIE SAAB, and how the Maison continues to build a global lifestyle universe shaped by timeless elegance.
Elie Saab Maison has been steadily expanding its global footprint. How would you describe the brand’s growth strategy in the Middle East?
Our strategy in the Middle East is to build on ELIE SAAB’s strong brand equity in the region. We are expanding through targeted partnerships, a strengthened retail presence – including the recent opening of ELIE SAAB Maison within AATI in Dubai – and high-quality residential developments. As Corporate Brand – A++ Group, we also operate a permanent office in Dubai Design District, which allows us to directly supervise the execution of our projects and maintain consistent quality across the region. Stellar by ELIE SAAB is a key milestone in this trajectory, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the region and demonstrating how the Brand’s design language can be expressed at an architectural scale. Our focus remains on long-term collaborations and projects that reflect the same standards of excellence that define ELIE SAAB globally.
The announcement of Stellar by Elie Saab in Abu Dhabi marks the brand’s first luxury residential project on Yas Island. What made this the right moment and the right location to introduce such a milestone?
Yas Island represents one of the UAE’s most strategic and fast-growing destinations, with a strong pipeline of cultural, residential, and lifestyle developments. For us, it offered the right combination of infrastructure, investor appeal, and long-term growth potential.
Launching Stellar by ELIE SAAB at this stage aligns with the Brand’s broader expansion in the region and responds to a clear demand for high-quality, design-driven residential offerings. The maturity of the market, together with the vision of our development partners, created the ideal conditions to introduce a project that reflects the Brand’s standards of architecture, design, and execution.
What defines the vision behind Stellar by Elie Saab, and how does it translate the maison’s couture heritage into a residential living experience?
The vision behind Stellar by ELIE SAAB is to create a residential environment that reflects the Brand’s core values of harmony, proportion, and refined design. Our objective was to translate the ELIE SAAB Maison world into a complete living experience, where architecture and interiors follow one coherent language.
A key element is the integration of ELIE SAAB Maison furniture, crafted in Italy and designed with the same attention to detail that defines the Brand. The common areas are fully furnished with pieces from the collection, ensuring an immediate and recognisable identity throughout the development. Additionally, selected units will be offered fully furnished, giving residents the opportunity to experience the Brand at home with a complete and curated interior concept.
Through these elements, the project delivers a consistent, high-quality living environment where design, materials, and atmosphere all align with the ELIE SAAB Maison vision.
Elie Saab is known for a distinctive creative universe, elegance, luminosity, craftsmanship. How do you ensure these codes are authentically preserved when moving from fashion into furniture, interiors and now luxury real estate?
Authenticity is preserved through consistency and coherence. Since the creation of ELIE SAAB Maison, we have worked to ensure that every product, interior, and architectural element reflects the same design grammar: refined lines, balanced proportions, and a deep respect for materials. All furniture pieces are made in Italy, designed by Mr Saab and Carlo Colombo, which guarantees quality and fidelity to the original vision. In real estate, this coherence becomes even more essential – every detail must express the Brand’s values, from façade articulation to the finishing of a handle.
What were the guiding principles when designing Stellar by Elie Saab? Were there particular regional influences, lifestyle considerations or architectural elements that shaped the project?
The project was guided by three pillars: Balance, light, and architectural clarity.
Yas Island’s landscape played a natural role: its proximity to water, open horizons, and calm informed the project’s palette and materiality. We wanted to create a building that belongs to the region, not through overt references, but through a refined interpretation of space, comfort, and indoor-outdoor dialogue. Lifestyle considerations were central: generous layouts, wellness-oriented amenities, and environments conceived for contemporary family life.
The Middle East has become a major hub for high-end property. How do you view the luxury real estate market in the region today, and where do you see the strongest opportunities for branded residences?
The luxury market in the Middle East is increasingly focused on quality, coherence, and complete lifestyle experiences. Buyers expect more than strong architecture – they look for projects that deliver a unified design identity. This is where branded residences have clear potential. With ELIE SAAB Maison furniture integrated into common areas and, when offered, fully furnished units, we can provide a true full-experience residence that reflects the Brand at every touchpoint. Opportunities are strongest in destinations where this level of completeness is valued, and where design-led living is becoming a key decision driver for buyers.
Branded residences have surged in popularity globally. What makes Elie Saab Maison’s approach different, and how do you see your offering evolving in such a competitive landscape?
What differentiates ELIE SAAB Maison is the consistency of the brand’s design ecosystem. We are not simply applying a logo to a building; we bring a complete world of living that includes architecture, interiors, and a full collection of furniture crafted in Italy. This allows us to deliver projects with a unified aesthetic and a clear identity – something buyers increasingly expect in the branded real estate segment.
Our offering continues to evolve by expanding the categories we manage, from furniture and lighting to kitchens, wardrobes, and bespoke interior solutions. This gives us the capability to shape developments in a comprehensive way and ensure a reliable, high-quality standard across every element of the project.
In a competitive market, our strength lies in this integrated approach and in working with partners who share the same commitment to excellence and long-term value.
Elie Saab Maison has been expanding not only geographically, but also across categories — from interiors to hospitality to large-scale property collaborations. What’s driving this evolution, and what can we expect next?
Our growth is driven by the ambition to position ELIE SAAB as a complete lifestyle brand. Beyond interiors and residential projects, we have expanded into yachting and private aviation, bringing our design language into new luxury environments.This multi-category approach strengthens the Brand’s identity and allows us to offer a coherent experience across how our clients live and travel.
Looking ahead, we will continue developing strategic partnerships in hospitality, branded residences, and specialised sectors like yachts and air, always with the goal of delivering a unified, high-quality lifestyle experience.
Stellar by Elie Saab is positioned as an iconic addition to Abu Dhabi’s skyline. How do you balance architectural ambition with the need for timelessness — a key value in both couture and real estate?
Timelessness is central to the ELIE SAAB Maison philosophy and guides our approach to every project. With Stellar, the ambition lies in creating a strong identity without compromising the elegance and longevity that define the Brand.
By applying a coherent and refined design language across both the building and the interior experience, we ensure the project remains relevant, recognisable, and enduring over time -which is the essence of timelessness for ELIE SAAB.
Looking ahead, do you see additional opportunities for Elie Saab Maison across the GCC, whether through new residences, hotels or flagship interior spaces?
The GCC is an important region for the brand, and the launch of Stellar by ELIE SAAB reflects the depth of opportunity for design-led residential projects. We see continued potential across new residences, hospitality collaborations, and selected flagship interior spaces. Our focus is on partnering with developers who value coherence, quality, and long-term brand integrity, ensuring that each project fully reflects the ELIE SAAB Maison vision.
Finally, as CEO, what is your long-term vision for Elie Saab Maison?
Our long-term vision is to position ELIE SAAB Maison as a global benchmark for refined living, with a presence that extends seamlessly across interiors, residential projects, hospitality, yachts, aviation, and other strategic categories. We aim to strengthen our network of trusted partners, expand selectively into key markets, and ensure that every new project reflects the same coherent design language and high standards that define the Brand. As we move forward, our focus is on building a comprehensive lifestyle universe, where clients can experience the ELIE SAAB identity across multiple touchpoints—always with consistency, quality, and long-term value at the core.
