The Dubai office market achieved remarkable heights in Q3 2025, reaching AED 3.1 billion ($843 million) in sales, which represents an impressive growth of nearly 90 percent year-on-year. This surge can be attributed to strong demand, limited availability, and a notable increase in interest in off-plan properties. As off-plan demand accelerates, the market showcases one of its strongest performance periods in recent history, signaling a robust outlook for commercial real estate in the UAE.
The upward trend in the Dubai office market continued in Q3 2025, as reported by Cavendish Maxwell. The significant sales figure of AED 3.1 billion ($843 million) highlights the dynamic nature of the sector and underscores rigorous market activity fueled by both local and foreign investors.
During the period from July to September, nearly 1,200 sales transactions were conducted, reflecting a year-on-year increase of almost 40 percent and an upward shift of nearly 20 percent compared to the previous quarter. The combination of accelerating off-plan demand and limited supply has created a competitive environment, making the Dubai office market one of the most active in recent years.
Off-plan Office Market in Dubai
For the first time in 15 years, off-plan sales values exceeded AED 1 billion ($272 million), with the volume of off-plan transactions quadrupling from the same quarter last year. Such robust performance signals a clear shift in investor preferences toward next-generation office spaces designed with efficient layouts and aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
Vidhi Shah, Director and Head of Commercial Valuation at Cavendish Maxwell, stated, “Business is booming in Dubai’s office market, underscoring the city’s ability to attract and retain global businesses and deliver value for owners and investors.” She emphasized that the ongoing trend of accelerating off-plan demand reflects broader shifts aiming for modern conveniences and sustainability in office environments.
Despite the growing popularity of the off-plan segment, supply constraints have persisted. Initially, more than 224,000 square meters of new office space were expected to enter the market this year. However, only 80,000 square meters became available between January and September, with a further 40,500 square meters projected by year-end. This limited availability has notably pushed occupancy rates and rental prices upward.
Currently, Dubai’s total office inventory stands at approximately 9.36 million square meters of Gross Leasable Area (GLA), with expectations for growth leading to nearly 10.9 million square meters by 2028.
Top Locations for Office Sales in Q3 2025
The office sales landscape in Q3 2025 was also marked by distinct regional preferences. The leading locations were:
- Business Bay: 328 office transactions
- Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT): 277 transactions
- Majan: 112 transactions
- Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): 110 transactions
- Barsha Heights: 71 transactions
Collectively, these five areas accounted for nearly 80 percent of all office sales during the quarter, highlighting continued interest in these key locales.
Office Rents Rising
The Dubai office rental market also reflects a vibrant performance, with average rents seeing an increase of nearly 30 percent. However, growth rates varied significantly across different regions:
- DIFC: Rents increased by 35.5 percent
- Downtown Dubai: Rents rose by 33.9 percent
- Barsha Heights: Rents exceeded a 27 percent increase
- Dubai Hills Estate: Rents also surpassed 27 percent
- Bur Dubai: Rents grew by 4.2 percent
- Deira: Rents increased by 3.3 percent
Shah noted, “The divergence in office rents highlights a tiered market structure, with prime locations commanding premium growth due to limited supply and strong tenant demand, while well-positioned secondary areas benefit from displaced demand, offering valuable alternatives.” The strong performance underscores the ongoing evolution of Dubai’s office market as it adapts to changing investor needs and market dynamics.