Dubai office sales surge as off-plan market hits record Dh13.1 billion
Dubai’s commercial property market continued its rapid expansion in the first half of 2026, with off-plan office sales reaching a record Dh13.1 billion as investors and businesses competed for limited high-quality workspace across the city.
A total of 1,668 off-plan office transactions were recorded during the six-month period. The value of those deals alone was more than double the Dh5.48 billion generated by the segment during the entire seven-year period from 2019 to 2025.
The numbers highlight a significant change in Dubai’s real estate market. While residential property has dominated investor attention in recent years, office space is increasingly emerging as another major area of growth.
Businesses drive demand for premium offices
One of the main factors behind the surge is Dubai’s expanding business population.
International companies continue to establish regional headquarters in the emirate, while startups, financial firms and professional services businesses are also increasing their presence. At the same time, availability of premium Grade A offices remains limited in many of Dubai’s most important commercial districts.
This imbalance between demand and supply has encouraged investors to look beyond completed properties and purchase offices in developments that are still under construction.
Off-plan projects can give buyers access to newer buildings, modern specifications and flexible payment structures while developers respond to growing demand for high-quality commercial space.
Business Bay leads the market
Business Bay has emerged as one of the strongest areas for office investment, accounting for around Dh6.8 billion across 476 transactions during the first half of the year.
Its central location, proximity to Downtown Dubai and expanding supply of new commercial developments have made the district particularly attractive to both investors and companies looking for offices.
Other established business areas, including Jumeirah Lakes Towers and DIFC, continue to benefit from strong occupier demand, while limited availability in prime buildings is supporting higher values and rents.
Dubai’s office shortage continues
Despite new developments entering the market, demand for Grade A office space continues to exceed supply.
During the second quarter of 2026, Dubai recorded 38,082 office leasing transactions, representing a 4% increase compared with the previous quarter. Demand remained particularly strong among smaller companies, startups and new businesses entering the emirate.
The shortage has also encouraged companies to secure offices earlier and investors to target commercial projects before completion.
Dubai’s wider economic growth is supporting this trend. As more companies establish operations in the city, office real estate is increasingly being viewed not simply as workspace, but as an investment category with its own strong demand fundamentals.
Commercial property gains momentum
The office boom comes during another record period for Dubai real estate.
Dubai’s property market generated around $78 billion in sales during the first half of 2026, demonstrating continued investor confidence across both residential and commercial sectors.
For Dubai, the rapid rise of the office market also reflects the city’s evolution into a global business hub.
As international companies, entrepreneurs and investors continue to move into the emirate, demand for modern office space is expected to remain a major part of Dubai’s real estate story — and the record Dh13.1 billion in off-plan sales suggests commercial property is becoming increasingly important to the city’s next phase of growth.
