Dubai's commercial property market maintained strong activity through H1 2026, while limited office availability supported double-digit rental growth across key workspace categories.
August 21, 2026 | Palak Kataria | UAE | Real Estate | 3 Min Read
Image Courtesy: Apex Capital Real Estate
Dubai's commercial property market maintained its momentum through the first half of 2026, with transaction activity and rising office rents highlighting continued demand across the sector.
According to figures attributed to ANAROCK, commercial transaction values reached AED65.23 billion in H1 2026, up 8.5% year-on-year, while deal volumes increased by nearly 13% to 6,487 transactions, compared with 5,754 a year earlier. The first quarter recorded stronger activity, followed by more measured transaction levels during Q2.
The office market provides another indication of the demand currently shaping Dubai's commercial landscape.
JLL's Q2 2026 market data shows that Dubai's citywide office vacancy rate eased to 6.1% from 7.7% a year earlier, as occupiers continued to seek quality workspace.
That demand is translating directly into rents.
Grade B office rents increased 31.5% year-on-year, while Grade A rents rose 26.2%. Prime rents recorded annual growth of 13.6%. The particularly strong performance of Grade A and B space reflects the limited availability of prime inventory and occupiers broadening their search across quality office categories.
Rental contract registrations also increased 24.6% year-on-year during Q2, with JLL attributing the growth primarily to new contracts.
The numbers reinforce the importance of office space within Dubai's wider commercial property story. Limited availability, business expansion and demand for quality workplaces are supporting activity across multiple office grades.
Separate H1 research from Engel & Völkers similarly describes the first six months of 2026 as Dubai commercial real estate's strongest first half on record for sales volume and value, with office and retail investment performing particularly strongly.
For investors and occupiers, the first-half figures point to a commercial market where demand remains active while the availability of well-positioned office stock continues to shape pricing and leasing decisions.
Source: ANAROCK data as provided; JLL Q2 2026 UAE market research; Engel & Völkers H1 2026 research.
