Investment banking occupiers in Abu Dhabi typically cluster in Al Maryah Island (ADGM), plan ~215 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($720–1080/sqft), and pay around 1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD) on Class A.

• Preferred submarket: Al Maryah Island (ADGM).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($720–1080/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD).
• Typical lease: 3 years with 6 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Abu Dhabi: 80/100.

TL;DR

• Preferred submarket: Al Maryah Island (ADGM).
• Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($720–1080/sqft).
• Plan ~215 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
• Class A rent context: 1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD).
• Typical lease: 3 years with 6 months rent-free.
• Talent depth in Abu Dhabi: 80/100.

Where they cluster

Investment banking occupiers in Abu Dhabi typically anchor in Al Maryah Island (ADGM). Banking, asset management, fintech, professional services (under ADGM jurisdiction).

What they pay

Class A rent in Abu Dhabi runs 1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD) on a 3-year lease with 6 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical investment banking fit-out targets trophy specification at $720–1080/sqft. Bespoke design, signature feature, top-tier MEP and acoustic packages are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 215 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount banking office in Abu Dhabi typically targets 21,500 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Bulge-bracket teams favor signature trophy assets with full client-facing programming and large floor plates. Deep oil and gas, sovereign wealth, AI, and government talent. Strong international expat base; structurally smaller domestic Emirati workforce. Emiratization quotas apply to private-sector employers.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 9%. Net leases. 3-year terms with renewal options. Free rent of 4-9 months on a 3-year deal. Several free zones (ADGM, KIZAD) operate under separate property regimes.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Where do investment banking occupiers lease office space in Abu Dhabi?

Most cluster in Al Maryah Island (ADGM). Rent runs ~1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do investment banking occupiers run in Abu Dhabi?

Typically trophy at $720–1080/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a investment banking occupier plan in Abu Dhabi?

Plan ~215 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 21,500 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the investment banking vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 523150, 522110.

What is the talent index in Abu Dhabi?

80/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

• Investment banking — global overview
• Abu Dhabi — full city profile
• Financial services in Abu Dhabi
• Asset management in Abu Dhabi
• Legal services in Abu Dhabi
• Big tech in Abu Dhabi

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

• CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
• JLL Office Insight — JLL
• Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
• Savills World Research — Savills
• Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

Full sources index · Submit a correction

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