RIYADH: Dubai and Abu Dhabi office markets posted double-digit rental growth in the second quarter of 2026, even as residential and hospitality sectors softened sharply, according to CBRE Middle East.
In its latest UAE Real Estate Market Review for the second quarter, CBRE said Dubai’s average office rents rose 13 percent year on year, with prime leases up 16 percent and occupancy near 94 percent.
Abu Dhabi recorded nearly 16 percent rental growth, while occupancy stood at around 96 percent, as both markets remained constrained by a shortage of Grade A office space.
The divergence reflects a broader trend across Gulf property markets. Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Price Index rose 1.3 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2026, as gains in residential and agricultural properties offset weaker commercial values.
Qatar’s market remained stronger, with its property price index climbing 8.7 percent to a record 244.56 points in May, supported by robust transaction activity and mortgage lending.
