Downtown Jebel Ali has emerged as Dubai’s most active office market, with office sales rising 11.7% in Q3 2026 as smaller investors accounted for a larger share of commercial property deals.
Dubai office sales gain momentum
Dubai recorded 2,789 commercial property sales in the third quarter of 2026, according to a quarterly report by CRC Property. Transaction volumes remained broadly stable compared with the previous quarter, while office sales increased to 1,123 units.
Office transaction values reached Dhs 4.35 billion during the quarter. The average office deal size was Dhs 3.87 million, reflecting a greater share of smaller transactions.
Office sales value was also up 40.4% year-on-year, according to the report.
Behnam Bargh, Managing Director of CRC Property, said: “Q3 was a quarter of stabilisation rather than recovery. Deal counts held firm, but the mix shifted toward smaller transactions. For investors and occupiers alike, the message is discipline: price realistically and favour quality and income.”
Downtown Jebel Ali leads office transactions
Downtown Jebel Ali accounted for almost 30% of Dubai’s office deals in Q3, making it the city’s most active office location during the quarter.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers also recorded increased activity, ranking third with 162 transactions, up 47.3% from the previous quarter.
Secondary office prices averaged Dhs 1,930 per square foot, with the pace of decline slowing to 1.2% during the quarter.
Commercial land attracts investor interest
Commercial land sales reached Dhs 6.81 billion in Q3, representing around 38% of Dubai’s total commercial property sales value.
Ashley Sonnenberger, Industrial & Logistics Manager at CRC Property, said: “With local authorities no longer releasing new land, investors and occupiers seeking long-term industrial positions are securing sites directly rather than waiting for fresh allocations.”
Retail leads buyer enquiries as lease instalments grow
Buyer enquiries at CRC Property increased 15% quarter-on-quarter, with retail accounting for the largest share of enquiries at 34%.
Payment flexibility also became more common in commercial leasing. Instalment plans accounted for 83% of CRC Property’s commercial leases in Q3, compared with 73% in the previous quarter.
The share of leases paid through a single annual cheque fell from 27% to 17%, indicating a growing preference among tenants for spreading payments over instalments.
