Dubai Office Rents Average AED241 Per Sq Ft in Q3 2026
Dubai’s office rents averaged AED241 ($66) per square foot in the third quarter of 2026, with around 20,200 rental transactions recorded as the emirate prepares for a substantial increase in commercial office space over the next four years.
According to Savills Middle East’s latest Dubai Office Market in Minutes report, leasing activity remained steady despite an 8 per cent quarter-on-quarter decrease in transaction volumes.
Average office rents held firm during the quarter, although rental rates differed significantly between Dubai’s established commercial centres and emerging business districts.
The report highlighted a pipeline of approximately 20.4 million sq ft of gross leasable office space scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2030, with supply growth expected to accelerate from 2028.
New leases accounted for 51 per cent of Dubai’s office rental transactions in the third quarter, while lease renewals made up the remaining 49 per cent.
Savills attributed the sustained activity to corporate relocations, lease renewals and continued demand for high-quality office spaces in strategic locations.
Although transaction volumes declined compared with the previous quarter, leasing activity remained broadly in line with levels recorded over the past year.
Smaller offices continued to dominate demand, with units below 1,000 sq ft representing 66 per cent of rental transactions. Offices measuring less than 500 sq ft alone accounted for 40 per cent of the total.
These figures underline the significant role of smaller office units in Dubai’s commercial property leasing market.
Major business districts, including Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, continued to attract companies seeking premium office spaces, convenient connectivity and proximity to established commercial centres.
Corporate relocations remained a key contributor to leasing activity, with Savills recording office requirements exceeding 30,000 sq ft during the quarter.
Demand for Grade A office space was supported by international businesses, particularly fintech firms and Chinese companies.
Businesses were also placing increasing importance on location, building standards, cost efficiency and sustainability when evaluating office premises.
Toby Hall, Head of Commercial Agency at Savills Middle East, said: “Dubai’s office market continues to demonstrate resilience, with occupier demand remaining active despite a more measured pace of leasing activity during the quarter.
“We’re seeing businesses take a more considered approach to their office requirements, with location, connectivity and building quality playing an increasingly important role in decision-making. Well-located Grade A buildings, particularly those offering strong transport links and modern amenities, continue to attract interest from both established occupiers and businesses looking to expand their presence in Dubai.
“Looking ahead, the quality and suitability of new office supply will be important in meeting evolving occupier requirements, particularly as businesses place greater emphasis on long-term operational efficiency and workplace experience.”
Dubai is expected to add approximately 20.4 million sq ft of gross leasable office space between 2026 and 2030, according to Savills’ report.
The consultancy expects the pace of new office deliveries to increase more significantly from 2028 onwards.
Developments owned by Strata are projected to account for 86 per cent of new office supply in 2028 and 78 per cent in 2029.
This could expand the availability of smaller office units owned by individual investors.
By 2030, the development pipeline is expected to shift towards predominantly single-owned buildings, potentially offering larger corporate occupiers more options when seeking office space.