Quick answer: The upcoming commercial towers in Dubai are a new wave of Grade A, strata-titled office buildings, led by the 87-storey Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower on Sheikh Zayed Road (handover Q2 2031). They are launching into a market where prime office space is almost fully let and rents have risen for several years running.
For investors, that combination is the opportunity. Dubai’s residential market is cooling, but the office market still has more demand than quality supply. This guide covers the key towers, the market numbers behind them, and how to pick the right one.
Dubai office market 2026: tight supply, firm rents
Dubai’s office market remains one of the tightest in the world. Khaleej Times reported citywide office vacancy at 6.1% in Q2 2026, down from 7.7% a year earlier, with prime space availability at just 0.7%.
| Indicator (Dubai offices) | Latest figure |
|---|---|
| Citywide vacancy | 6.1% (Q2 2026) |
| Grade A vacancy | 4.2% (Q2 2026) |
| Prime availability | 0.7% (Q2 2026) |
| Grade A rent growth | +26.2% year on year (Q2 2026) |
| Office sales value, H1 2026 | AED 15.81 billion, almost triple H1 2025 |
| Average office sale price, H1 2026 | AED 3,202 per sq ft, up 85% |
After several years of rapid growth, average office rents held steady at AED 238 per sq ft in Q2 2026. That marks a healthy, more sustainable phase for the market rather than a slowdown in demand.
Supply remains the key point for investors. Much of the upcoming Grade A space is expected to be pre-leased or absorbed by existing demand, and most towers launching today will hand over between 2029 and 2031 into a market that has been under-supplied for years.
Upcoming commercial towers in Dubai to watch
Most of the new office supply is concentrated on Sheikh Zayed Road and in Business Bay, the city’s most in-demand office corridor, which will also benefit from the planned Dubai Loop linking DIFC, Downtown and Business Bay.
| Tower | Developer | Location | Key facts | Handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower | LMD | Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay side | 87 floors, offices from single units to full floors, five amenity levels | Q2 2031 |
| Berkeley Tower | Ellington Properties | Sheikh Zayed Road, next to Business Bay Metro | G+60, boutique Grade A office tower | 2031 (expected) |
| LUMENA ALTA | OMNIYAT | Sheikh Zayed Road, Business Bay / Downtown gateway | 380 m, 73 levels, 720,000+ sq ft of offices | 2030 |
| 1970 Office Tower | Al Habtoor Group | Al Habtoor City | 289 m Grade A tower with large floor plates | Q1 2029 |
| One Uptown Place | DMCC | Uptown Dubai (free zone) | 36 storeys, 560,000+ sq ft of Grade A offices | To be confirmed |
| Samana Business Hub | Samana Developers | Dubai | 18 office floors over a retail podium, aimed at SMEs | To be confirmed |
Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower: the headline launch
Launched in October 2026, the Rockefeller Business Tower is set to be one of Dubai’s tallest office buildings. It takes a hotel-style approach to offices, with a spa, infinity pools, a padel court, a ballroom and a sky business centre on Level 87.
Offices range from single units to full floors, with the Presidential collection on Levels 71 to 80 starting at about 11,541 sq ft. The developer factsheet lists the height at 372 m, although launch coverage describes it as a 400-metre tower. Prices are released on request.
One point investors should know: the tower carries the name of Christian A. Rockefeller, a sixth-generation family member. It is not linked to Rockefeller Group or Rockefeller Center in New York.
LUMENA ALTA and 1970 Office Tower
OMNIYAT’s LUMENA ALTA, with a gross development value above AED 5 billion, is set to become the tallest commercial building in Business Bay. Al Habtoor Group’s 1970 Office Tower offers the earliest handover of the group, in Q1 2029, with large floor plates aimed at corporate tenants.
All specifications are indicative and subject to confirmation by developers in the Sales and Purchase Agreement.
Why invest in Dubai commercial property now
The case for Dubai office investment rests on four factors: capital growth, scarcity, ownership rules and flexible payment terms.
- Strong capital growth. Average office sale prices rose 85% year on year to AED 3,202 per sq ft in H1 2026, as reported by Khaleej Times.
- Grade A scarcity. With prime availability at 0.7%, occupiers are already moving into Grade B and C buildings. New Grade A towers will lease into that unmet demand.
- Freehold strata ownership. In freehold districts such as Business Bay, buyers of any nationality can own an individual office outright.
- Off-plan payment plans. Plans such as 50/50 or 60/40 let investors spread the cost over the build and keep cash free during construction.
There is also a residency angle. Property worth AED 2 million or more can support a UAE 10-year Golden Visa application, subject to current rules. Our guide to investing in Dubai property for ROI and a 10-year Golden Visa explains how it works.
Budget for transaction costs from the start: a 4% Dubai Land Department fee, plus 5% VAT on commercial property, which does not apply to most residential purchases.
How the new commercial towers will energise Q4 2026
The final quarter of 2026 has opened with a statement launch. The Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower arrived on Sheikh Zayed Road in October, bringing one of the most recognised names in global business to Dubai’s skyline and putting commercial property at the centre of the investor conversation.
That launch lands on strong foundations. Khaleej Times reported that Dubai office transaction values almost tripled to AED 15.81 billion in H1 2026, with deal volumes up 38% and average prices rising 85% to AED 3,202 per sq ft. Investors are clearly prepared to pay a premium for quality, income-producing space.
Three factors point to an active Q4 for commercial property:
- Pent-up demand returning. Khaleej Times reported that businesses which delayed office decisions earlier in the year are expected to come back to the market in the second half of 2026.
- The winter investor season. Q4 traditionally brings international buyers, roadshows and launch events to Dubai, giving new towers maximum exposure.
- Early-bird advantage. Buyers who reserve at launch typically get the widest choice of floors, views and unit sizes, plus the most flexible payment terms.
For investors, Q4 2026 is a window to secure a position in Dubai’s next generation of landmark office towers before the strongest units are taken.
How landmark office towers will shape Dubai real estate
These towers are more than new buildings. They are a sign of where Dubai is heading as a global business capital, and they will lift the wider property market in several ways.
- A new standard for offices. Towers like the Rockefeller Business Tower bring hotel-style hospitality into the workplace, with spas, pools, sky lounges and business clubs. That raises the bar for every Grade A building that follows.
- More global companies, more residents. Premium office space helps attract regional headquarters and international firms. Their employees need homes, schools and services, which supports demand across Dubai’s residential market.
- Stronger business districts. New supertalls on Sheikh Zayed Road and in Business Bay add density, retail and dining to the city’s core, reinforcing the corridor between Downtown Dubai and DIFC as the address of choice.
- Branded commercial property comes of age. Dubai already leads the world in branded residences. A branded office tower opens a new category for investors who value prestige and long-term demand.
- A deeper investment market. Strata-titled offices let individual investors own a piece of Grade A real estate that was once available only to institutions, adding depth and liquidity to Dubai’s commercial sector.
As these towers complete between 2029 and 2031, they will help cement Dubai’s position alongside New York, London and Singapore as a city where the world’s businesses want to be.
Risks and how to choose the right office tower
Office investment carries different risks from residential. The tenant pool for an office is smaller, so a vacancy can last longer, and several new towers will hand over in the same 2029 to 2031 window.
Rents have also moved into a steadier phase after several record years, so smart investors model returns on today’s rents rather than past growth rates.
Use this checklist before you reserve a unit:
- Developer track record. Check past handovers, especially for first-time office or supertall builders.
- Location and metro access. Occupiers increasingly favour Grade A buildings close to the metro and major business districts.
- Unit size. Smaller office units dominate leasing activity in Dubai, so compact suites tend to be the easiest to let.
- Service charges. Ask for the estimate in writing; it directly affects your net yield.
- Payment plan and handover sum. A 50/50 plan keeps cash free during construction but requires half the price at handover.
- Escrow and paperwork. Confirm the project on the DLD register and pay only into the named escrow account.
Frequently asked questions
What are the upcoming commercial towers in Dubai?
Key upcoming office towers include the Christian A. Rockefeller Business Tower by LMD (Q2 2031), Berkeley Tower by Ellington (2031), LUMENA ALTA by OMNIYAT (2030), 1970 Office Tower by Al Habtoor Group (Q1 2029) and One Uptown Place by DMCC.
Is commercial property a good investment in Dubai in 2026?
Yes. Office sales values almost tripled to AED 15.81 billion in H1 2026, average prices rose 85%, and Grade A vacancy is very low. Choosing the right tower, location and price remains the key to strong returns.
What is the office vacancy rate in Dubai?
Dubai’s citywide office vacancy stood at 6.1% in Q2 2026, with Grade A vacancy at 4.2% and prime availability at just 0.7%, as reported by Khaleej Times.
Is the Rockefeller Business Tower in Dubai linked to Rockefeller Center?
No. The tower is named after Christian A. Rockefeller, a sixth-generation member of the Rockefeller family. It is developed by LMD and has no link to Rockefeller Group or Rockefeller Center.
Can foreigners buy offices in Dubai?
Yes. Buyers of any nationality can own offices outright in Dubai’s freehold districts, including Business Bay and Sheikh Zayed Road towers in those zones.
Does buying an office in Dubai qualify for a Golden Visa?
Property worth AED 2 million or more can support a UAE 10-year Golden Visa application, subject to current eligibility rules.
What fees apply when buying an office in Dubai?
Expect a 4% Dubai Land Department fee and 5% VAT on the purchase price, plus annual service charges after handover.
Invest in Dubai’s next office landmarks with Realtree
Realtree Properties is a RERA-registered Dubai brokerage working with leading developers across the city. Our advisors can help you compare upcoming commercial towers in Dubai, review payment plans and price lists, and find Grade A office space that fits your investment goals.
Speak to a Realtree advisor today to get early access to new office launches on Sheikh Zayed Road and in Business Bay.
Sources
- Arabian Business: Rockefeller name arrives in Dubai with 400-metre Sheikh Zayed Road tower
- Khaleej Times: Dubai commercial property deals hit Dh65.2 billion in H1 as offices surge
- Khaleej Times: Dubai office rents stabilise as demand for Grade A space stays strong
- Khaleej Times: Landlords keep upper hand as tenants compete in UAE office market
- Khaleej Times: UAE commercial rents jump as prime office availability falls
