MERED Appoints MDP for Riviera Residences on Al Reem Island

Abu Dhabi, UAE: MERED has appointed Paris-based landscape architecture and urban planning practice Michel Desvigne Paysagiste (MDP) as landscape consultant for Riviera Residences, its landmark waterfront development on Al Reem Island. The project is designed by world-renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron, bringing together leading international expertise across architecture and landscape for one of Abu Dhabi’s most anticipated residential addresses.

The appointment marks a key construction milestone and introduces one of Europe’s most respected landscape studios to the UAE capital. Founded by Michel Desvigne, MDP is internationally recognised for its rigorous, long-term approach to landscape design, with projects across more than 35 countries developed in close collaboration with leading architects, public institutions, and cultural bodies. The practice is known for shaping landscapes that evolve over time, prioritising spatial clarity, natural systems, and a strong relationship between architecture and public space. Paris’ National Museum of Modern Art has previously acquired selected MDP drawings and models.

For Riviera Residences, MDP will develop a landscape strategy that supports MERED’s vision of a refined waterfront sanctuary, balancing structure and openness while responding to the climate, scale, and social life of Al Reem Island.

Michael Belton, CEO of MERED, added:

MDP’s work is defined by depth, patience, and an understanding of how places evolve over decades. Partnering with them represents an important step for Riviera Residences as we progress in its construction. Their approach strengthens the project’s design depth and reinforces our focus on quality of life, identity, and longevity. Landscape is central to how residents will experience this development, and MDP brings the rigour and sensitivity required to shape a waterfront community of lasting significance.

Michel Desvigne, Founder and Principal at MDP, said:

Riviera Residences offers an opportunity to think about landscape as a lasting framework that structures daily life, movement, and long-term spatial character. Our role is to shape outdoor environments that mature over time, respond to climate and context, and establish a strong relationship between architecture, water, and public space within Abu Dhabi’s urban fabric.

Located on Al Reem Island within the Abu Dhabi Global Market, Riviera Residences sits at the centre of one of the capital’s most dynamic districts. Strong fundamentals, including quality housing, access to healthcare and education, global connectivity, and a stable, tax-efficient environment, have positioned Abu Dhabi as a preferred long-term destination for global wealth, supporting demand for thoughtfully designed, high-quality residential communities.

Envisioned as a lush urban sanctuary, Riviera Residences will comprise more than 400 apartments and 11 exclusive villas, including sky villas, ocean villas, and a penthouse. The development blends contemporary architecture with references to Abu Dhabi’s pearl-diving heritage, expressed through mother-of-pearl façades, refined interiors, and carefully curated amenities. Residents will have access to multiple swimming pools, wellness and fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor yoga spaces, sports courts, family areas, and a waterfront promenade with cafés and dining overlooking the Azure Lagoon and Saadiyat Island.

Enabling works at Riviera Residences are now underway, with main construction scheduled to follow. Upon completion, the project is set to stand as a landmark waterfront address that unites architecture, landscape, and long-term residential value along Abu Dhabi’s evolving shoreline.