Business Districts
Dubai
| District | H1 2026 |
|---|---|
| Downtown Dubai | Rents up 17.5% |
| Barsha Heights | Rents up 17.2% |
| DIFC | Rents up 17.1% |
| Business Bay | 814 office sales, the most of any district |
| Al Sufouh | 498 office sales |
| JLT | 333 office sales |
Source: Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 20261
Across Dubai, office rents averaged AED 189 per sq ft a year in H1 2026, up 14%, and office sales reached AED 15.8 billion. DIFC and DMCC, the free zone that runs JLT, are among the ten Dubai free zones the government lists.1,5
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's office stock was about 3.4 million sq m in H1 2026, 95% occupied, and rents on new leases rose 13%. Prime rents in ADGM, the financial centre on Al Maryah Island, passed AED 6,000 per sq m a year, which is pushing some occupiers to Al Reem Island, also part of ADGM.2,3
Sharjah
Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) sets up companies in 7 to 10 working days, with a zero-visa package from AED 5,500 and small offices of 20 to 27 sq m.4
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the main business districts in Dubai?
Downtown Dubai, Business Bay, DIFC, JLT, Barsha Heights and Al Sufouh. Business Bay had the most office sales in H1 2026, and Downtown Dubai the biggest rent rise, at 17.5%.
Sources
- Cavendish Maxwell via Zawya: Dubai office sales reach AED 15.8 billion in H1 2026
- ADREC: Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market Report for H1 2026
- Cushman & Wakefield Core: Abu Dhabi H1 2026 mid-year market update
- Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park: Go global from Sharjah
- UAE Government Portal: Starting a business in a free zone
- UAE Government Portal: Dubai
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.