Dubai’s commercial property market recorded AED 20.16 billion ($5.49 billion) in office sales between January and September 2026, with off-plan properties accounting for approximately 80% of the total transaction value. The figures highlight growing investor activity in the emirate’s office sector, particularly in properties purchased before completion. Dubai office sales continue to highlight strong investor interest in Dubai’s commercial real estate market.

According to an analysis of Dubai Land Department data by Al Masdar Al Akari, the market recorded 3,695 office transactions during the first nine months of the year. Off-plan properties represented the largest share of sales value, while completed offices continued to attract buyers seeking immediately available commercial space.

Off-Plan Offices Account for 80% of Dubai Sales Value

Off-plan properties played a leading role in Dubai’s office market during the first three quarters of 2026.

The analysis recorded 2,363 transactions involving offices purchased before completion, with a combined value of AED 16.13 billion ($4.39 billion). These deals represented approximately 64% of all office transactions and 80% of the total sales value.

By comparison, completed office properties accounted for 1,332 transactions worth AED 4.03 billion ($1.1 billion).

The figures indicate that a substantial proportion of investment is flowing towards offices that are still under development. Buyers may be attracted by staged payment plans, access to newly built commercial facilities and the opportunity to secure space in emerging business districts.

However, off-plan purchases involve different considerations from completed properties. Investors should evaluate the developer’s track record, construction timetable, payment structure, expected service charges and potential rental demand before committing to a purchase.

Completed offices can offer a different set of advantages, particularly for businesses that need immediate occupancy or investors who prefer to assess an existing property’s condition and rental potential.

Dubai Office Market Gains Momentum in September

Activity accelerated in September, when Dubai recorded 419 office transactions with a combined value of AED 1.85 billion ($504 million).

Compared with August, the monthly sales value increased by approximately 62%, while the number of transactions rose by around 28.5%. August had recorded 326 deals valued at AED 1.14 billion ($310 million).

September also outperformed the same month in 2025. Transaction volume increased from 390 deals to 419, a rise of approximately 7.4%. The total value of office sales grew by roughly 54%, compared with AED 1.2 billion ($327 million) a year earlier.

The stronger monthly performance points to renewed activity in Dubai’s commercial property segment, although a single month’s figures do not establish a long-term market trend.

The increase also came as off-plan transactions regained momentum following a weaker August.

Off-Plan Transactions Drive September Growth

Off-plan offices accounted for much of September’s activity, recording 265 transactions worth AED 1.32 billion ($359 million).

Completed office properties registered 154 transactions with a combined value of AED 525.5 million ($143 million).

The monthly figures show how off-plan sales recovered after a decline during August. In July, the market recorded 244 off-plan transactions worth AED 903.4 million ($246 million). Activity subsequently fell to 188 deals valued at AED 806.1 million ($219 million) in August before increasing significantly in September.

The September recovery suggests that demand for offices under development remained an important component of Dubai’s commercial real estate market during the period.

For developers, strong off-plan activity can support project sales and construction funding. For buyers, purchasing before completion may provide access to a wider selection of units, layouts and locations. Nevertheless, actual returns will depend on acquisition costs, market conditions, delivery schedules and the ability to attract tenants or future buyers.

Business Bay Leads Dubai’s Office Property Market

Business Bay emerged as Dubai’s leading office sales district during the first nine months of 2026.

The area recorded approximately 1,100 office transactions valued at more than AED 9.9 billion ($2.7 billion). This represented around 29.8% of all office transactions and approximately 49% of the total sales value across Dubai.

Business Bay’s position reflects its established role as a commercial destination, with office developments, hotels, residential buildings and supporting retail facilities concentrated around a well-connected business district.

Its location near Downtown Dubai and major road networks also makes it an important option for companies seeking office space with access to other parts of the city.

For investors, the district’s transaction activity provides useful context when comparing commercial property locations. However, high sales volumes alone do not guarantee strong rental yields or future capital appreciation. Factors such as building quality, occupancy, available office supply, leasing costs and proximity to transport links remain important when assessing individual assets.

Mid-Range Office Properties Dominate Transaction Volumes

The distribution of office transactions by price shows that properties in the AED 2 million to AED 5 million range were the most frequently traded during the first nine months of 2026.

This category accounted for 40.6% of all office transactions, making it the largest price segment in the analysis.

Properties priced between AED 1 million and AED 2 million represented another 28.2% of deals. Together, these two categories accounted for more than two-thirds of transaction volume.

The remaining transactions were distributed across lower-priced and premium office properties:

• Below AED 1 million: 8.2% of transactions.
• AED 5 million to AED 10 million: 9.6%.
• AED 10 million to AED 20 million: 6.6%.
• Above AED 20 million: 6.9%.

The figures suggest that the AED 1 million to AED 5 million range played a particularly important role in the market’s transaction activity.

These categories reflect the frequency of transactions rather than the total value contributed by each price bracket. Investors should also consider the usable floor area, building location, parking provision, ownership costs and potential rental income when comparing office investments.

Off-Plan Office Sales Show Significant Long-Term Growth

The latest results follow an earlier analysis by Al Masdar Al Akari covering the first half of 2026.

That analysis found that off-plan office sales reached approximately AED 13.1 billion ($3.57 billion) during the first six months of the year. The reported total exceeded the combined value of off-plan office sales recorded over the preceding seven years, from 2019 to 2025.

During that earlier period, off-plan office transactions totalled AED 5.48 billion ($1.49 billion) across 1,821 deals.

The comparison highlights the scale of activity recorded in the first half of 2026. It also illustrates how off-plan commercial property has become an important part of Dubai’s office investment landscape.

Nevertheless, historical transaction growth should not be treated as a guarantee of future performance. The longer-term direction of the market will depend on business expansion, employment growth, office supply, rental demand, financing conditions and the timing of new project completions.

What the Latest Figures Mean for Dubai’s Commercial Property Market

Dubai’s office sales performance during the first nine months of 2026 highlights three important developments: the substantial contribution of off-plan transactions, the September recovery in sales activity and Business Bay’s continued importance as a major commercial property destination.

Dubai office sales reflect growing investor interest in future office supply alongside completed commercial assets. At the same time, the concentration of transaction volumes in the AED 1 million to AED 5 million range indicates that mid-priced properties accounted for a large share of market activity.

For businesses planning to establish or expand their operations, Dubai offers a variety of office locations and property formats. Investors, meanwhile, need to compare individual developments carefully, taking into account purchase prices, construction risk, expected rental income and the availability of competing office space.

Dubai Land Department’s official transaction data can help buyers and investors examine activity by location, property type and transaction date.

As the market progresses through the remainder of 2026, future transaction data will help determine whether September’s stronger performance signals sustained momentum or a temporary increase in activity.

Dubai office sales trends will remain important for investors assessing commercial property opportunities and market conditions in the emirate.

Explore Dubai Commercial Property Opportunities

Dubai’s office market continues to offer a range of opportunities across established business districts and developing commercial communities. The latest sales figures provide a useful snapshot of market activity, but the suitability of any investment depends on its location, pricing, quality and long-term income potential.

Buyers considering off-plan office properties should review project details and delivery schedules carefully, while those evaluating completed offices should assess current occupancy, leasing conditions and ongoing ownership costs.

A data-led approach can help investors compare opportunities more effectively and make informed decisions in Dubai’s evolving commercial real estate market.

Source attribution: This article is an independently written summary based on the supplied reporting from Arabian Business and the cited market analysis by Al Masdar Al Akari. Refer to the original report and official Dubai Land Department resources below for the underlying information.