Abu Dhabi breaks ground on Frank Gehry-designed arts complex

Abu Dhabi has begun construction on Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi, a sprawling performing arts complex on Saadiyat Island designed by the late Frank Gehry, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi announced on June 25. The venue, whose name translates to "House of the Arts," is set to open in 2030 and will rank among the largest purpose-built performing arts institutions in the Middle East.thenationalnews+2

Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed witnessed the project launch and reviewed its plans, development phases and construction progress.

A Legacy in Steel and Stone

Gehry, who died in December 2025 at the age of 96, drew the building's design from the rhythms of the local landscape and the movement of wind and water. It is one of the last projects conceived by the architect behind the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Foundation Louis Vuitton in Paris. Gehry also designed Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, another landmark on Saadiyat Island that is expected to open later this year.pragmatika

The complex will house a multipurpose performance hall with more than 2,000 seats and an orchestra pit capable of holding up to 120 musicians, a 3,500-seat open-air amphitheatre, a 400-seat studio theatre for experimental and community productions, and a 250-seat jazz venue — giving it a combined capacity exceeding 6,000. Supporting facilities will include roughly 5,000 square metres of food, beverage and retail space, along with a rooftop terrace.ndtv+1

A Permanent Home for the Performing Arts

Dar al Funoon is planned to offer year-round programming across opera, ballet, theatre, orchestral concerts, musicals, festivals and more intimate performances. It will also support long-term artistic residencies, international touring partnerships and co-productions with performing arts institutions worldwide.prnewswire

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said the project reflected the emirate's long-term investment in artistic expression. "Dar Al Funoon Abu Dhabi will be a permanent home for performance, bringing together leading artists, companies and creative talent from the UAE, the region and across the world," he said.prnewswire

Saadiyat's Cultural Constellation

The venue joins a growing cultural cluster on Saadiyat Island that already includes Louvre Abu Dhabi and Zayed National Museum. Officials said the project aligns with Abu Dhabi's designation as a Unesco Creative City of Music, a status the emirate has held since 2021.