guide

Dubai

Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the UAE and by far the most populous, is located on the south east coast of the Persian Gulf. While the economy was originally driven by oil, the aviation, tourism, real estate and financial services industries now dominate. Dubai is also a transport hub for the region, with air connections to a number of international destinations.

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The location

Much of the commercial development in Dubai is around the World Trade Centre, Dubai International Finance Centre, and the popular Sheikh Zayed Road, which is the main motorway crossing the emirate. There are also a number of specialised areas, like Dubai Media City, Internet City, Healthcare City and Sports City, which are popular for businesses within these industries.

Neighbouring areas - price comparisons, per person per month

Below are the prices of serviced offices given on a per person per month basis, and are based on a minimum of 200 sq.ft. of office space, derived from our Sales Team's knowledge.
Area Indicative price range
Dubai Dhs1500 – 6500
Sheikh Zayed Road Dhs1500 – 3300
Dubai Marina Dhs3500 – 6500
Al Barsha Dhs1750 – 3250
Jumeirah Lakes Towers Dhs2250 – 3750


Dubai Marina

Looking for an office in Dubai

Serviced offices are particularly popular for companies looking to branch out in Dubai. 

They require minimum investment and most serviced office operators can help business owners with the company set-up (and obtaining the all-important trade licence). 

The occupancy in the traditional office market is low, as most of the offices on offer are very large and require a long and costly fit-out (typically Shell and Core offices). 

Traditional office spaces are owned by locals who are not willing to partition spaces to accommodate smaller needs. 

Serviced offices are usually of a very high standard and offer access to landmark buildings without the need for a large initial investment.

For customers looking for office space in Dubai, their most important considerations are location, quality and cost. 

The JLT or Dubai Marina are ideal for businesses looking to establish themselves in Dubai, depending on their choice of licence. (Freezone in JLT, LLC in Dubai Marina). 

This is because these areas are close together, and are also close to the Jumeriah residences and other residential areas where employees and expatriates live. 

They are well-served by roads and public transport, and don't require you to travel around Sheikh Zayed Road, which can become very congested.

Costs

The average cost for a 200 sq. ft., three-person serviced office ranges from Dhs 1,500 – 6,500 per person, per month, according to location and requirements. This covers amenities, which can include internet, meeting rooms, AV equipment, parking, reception services, lounges and kitchen facilities.

Office sizes

The minimum size of office required by the Dubai Economic Department to issue a new trade licence (mandatory to trade in the country) is 200 sq. ft. 

With Dubai being awarded the organisation of the World Expo in 2020 (known as Dubai 2020), current commercial developments will continue and the market will grow. 

JLT and Business Bay are still being developed, and Dubai World Airport is also being expanded.

Instant Offices offer a variety of office solutions, and are able to accommodate most enquiries, from one person through to 100 or more, depending on the specifics.

Why choose Dubai?

Basing your business in Dubai gives you access to the whole market of the Middle East. It is one of the most westernised places in the region, and is very business-oriented. In order to trade effectively in the Middle East, it’s important to have a business location in the area, and one of the main global business hubs, Dubai is the ideal option.

Five things you probably didn't know about Dubai:

  • The artificial Palm Islands are made up of enough imported sand to fill two and a half Empire State Buildings
  • The Burj Khalifa can be seen from up to 95km away
  • As of 2013 only 10% - 15% of the population is made up of UAE nationals
  • The above ground metro system opened in 2009 consisted of 42 stations and only took 18 months to build
  • Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world in terms of total area
JLT, Dubai

A closer look at Dubai

These are the most popular areas in which to rent office space:

Downtown Dubai

  • Downtown Dubai is home to some of the city’s most prominent landmarks, including Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper, as well as the Dubai Mall and the Dubai Fountain
  • This large scale, mixed-use development is situated along Sheikh Zayed Road and is divided into 11 different building projects, covering both residential and commercial buildings
  • It is a vibrant tourist and business destination, with good Metro and road links, and excellent surrounding amenities

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Business Bay

  • Business Bay is one of the planned central business hubs of Dubai, with parts currently still under construction
  • While its development was stalled by the financial crash, business in the area has improved dramatically and construction has resumed
  • Once completed, this proposed commercial hub will include a number of towers, road networks and canals to attract multinational corporations and encourage them to make Business Bay their base

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Jumeirah Lake Tower Freezone

  • The JLT Freezone was established in 2002 as a commodities marketplace in Dubai
  • It's one of the largest freezone developments in the city, and contains over 64 mixed-use commercial and residential towers
  • This area is very popular at the moment, especially among services or multinational companies looking for a Middle East base that provides trade opportunities with the rest of the region

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Dubai Marina

  • The Dubai Marina is the largest man-made marina in the world, and boasts a number of commercial waterfront towers
  • There are also many residential developments, 5 star hotels, banking services and retail outlets in this area
  • The marina is well connected, with tram, Metro and road links
  • These four districts are not populated by one specific industry, but rather by businesses from a range of sectors including finance, IT, telecoms, real estate, services and construction

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Want to find out more?

If you’re looking to move into the area, or simply require more information, contact Instant Offices' specialist local consultants.

Email our team or call us and we'll be delighted to help you.


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