Off-Plan Transactions Surge Nearly 700% as Business Bay and JLT Lead Record-Breaking Year
DUBAI — Dubai’s commercial real estate sector closed 2025 on a historic high, with office sales values more than doubling to reach Dh13.1 billion—the strongest annual performance the emirate has seen in over a decade.
According to a report released Monday by property consultancy Cavendish Maxwell, the total value of office sales surged by 102% compared to 2024. Transaction volumes also saw a significant uptick, climbing 53.3% to reach 4,600 deals last year.
The data underscores a robust recovery and growing investor confidence in Dubai’s commercial market, driven by an expanding business ecosystem and a severe shortage of ready-to-move-in premium office space.
Where the Deals Are Happening
Business Bay solidified its position as the epicenter of office activity, recording 1,230 transactions—the highest in the city. It was followed closely by Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) with 1,067 deals. Other key hubs included Barsha Heights (267 transactions), Dubai Silicon Oasis (147), and Dubai Investments Park (92).
The surge in demand is mirrored by the emirate’s business growth. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce registered 71,830 new member companies in 2025, pushing total active membership to 292,486—a year-on-year increase of 13.2%.
Off-Plan Market Explodes
With ready commercial stock increasingly difficult to secure, buyers flocked to off-plan properties. The off-plan segment witnessed explosive growth, with sales volumes jumping nearly 700% compared to 2024. A total of 1,400 off-plan transactions were recorded, accounting for 35% of all office sales. The total value of these deals reached Dh4.6 billion, a massive leap from just Dh700 million the previous year.
“We expect to see similar patterns this year as off-plan sales continue to see high demand,” said Vidhi Shah, Director and Head of Commercial Valuation at Cavendish Maxwell. “With high quality office stock still severely constrained, buyers will be looking for viable entry points to the market through new off-plan premises.”
Prices and Rents on the Rise
The combination of soaring demand and limited inventory has put significant upward pressure on pricing. Average office sales prices in Dubai increased by 25.9% in 2025, reaching Dh1,951 per square foot.
Simultaneously, the leasing market tightened considerably. Office rental rates across the city rose by an average of 22.9% year-on-year as occupancy levels hardened and landlords rolled back incentives. This rental hike is pushing some businesses to transition from leasing to buying, further fueling the sales market and intensifying competition for available units.
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