Abu Dhabi’s office market continues to experience robust growth, marked by a significant increase in occupancy levels. Demand is primarily driven by the banking, finance, and hydrocarbons sectors, maintaining prime and Grade A occupancy at 95%, supported by stable rental rates and strong competition for Grade A spaces.
SUPPLY: ROBUST OFFICE SUPPLY PIPELINE IN ABU DHABI THROUGH 2027
In 2024, Abu Dhabi added 679,000 sq. ft. of new office stock to the market, including notable developments such as Al Maryah Tower in ADGM, the Seha Building in Danet, and the FAB building in Capital Center. Looking ahead, 2025 is projected to deliver approximately 1.13 million sq. ft. of new supply, primarily in Al Reem Island and Masdar City. While 2026 is expected to see a more modest increase of 430,000 sq. ft., 2027 is anticipated to witness the highest influx of supply in recent years, with around 1.76 million sq. ft. scheduled for completion
DEMAND: RESILIENT DEMAND AND KEY TRENDS IN ABU DHABI'S Q4 2024 OFFICE MARKET
Abu Dhabi's office market demonstrated resilience in Q4 2024, with overall vacancy rate decreasing by 4% year-on-year. Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) continues to dominate as the most sought-after location for office space, supported by high demand in Al Maryah Island and Al Raha, which command the highest prices per square foot. Office spaces ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 sq. ft. remained popular, followed closely by spaces in the 2,000 to 4,000 sq. ft. range. Sector-specific demand, Banking, and Finance led accounting for 20% of the market, followed by Oil & Gas at 17%, highlighting the continued strength of key industries in the capital.
PRICING: STABLE LEASING RATES AMID HIGH DEMAND
Abu Dhabi's office leasing rates remained stable quarter-on-quarter, while city-wide average asking rents in Q4 2024 increased by 7% year-on- year. Prime office buildings command annual rental prices between AED 180 and AED 260 per sq. ft., with Grade A buildings ranging from AED 93 to AED 177 per sq. ft. and Grade B and C buildings priced at AED 65 to AED 84 and AED 46 to AED 65 per sq. ft., respectively. Occupancy rates remain high, with prime offices at 95%, Grade A and B between 90% and 95%, and Grade C between 70% and 89%. Supply for Prime and Grade A office spaces remains limited at 10% and 20%, respectively.
