Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Abu Dhabi typically cluster in Al Maryah Island (ADGM), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($490–720/sqft), and pay around 1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: Al Maryah Island (ADGM).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($490–720/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.

Real estate and infrastructure office space in Abu Dhabi

Real estate and infrastructure occupiers in Abu Dhabi typically cluster in Al Maryah Island (ADGM), plan ~215 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($490–720/sqft), and pay around 1900 AED/sqft ($48 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: Al Maryah Island (ADGM).
  • Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($490–720/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

Real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure fit-out targets high-end specification at $490–720/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

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

Talent angle

Sponsor and asset-management teams favor trophy CBD addresses with proximity to investment-banking and law-firm tenancy. 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

cityAbu Dhabi
industryReal estate and infrastructure
naics531, 237
preferredSubmarketAl Maryah Island (ADGM)
preferredFitoutSpecHigh-end
fitoutBand$490–720/sqft
sqftPerSeat215
classARentLocal1900 AED/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$48/sqft/yr
vacancyPct9.2%
typicalLeaseYears3
typicalRentFreeMonths6
talentIndex80
corporateTaxPct9%

Frequently asked questions

Where do real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure occupiers run in Abu Dhabi?
Typically high-end at $490–720/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a real estate and infrastructure 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 real estate and infrastructure vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 531, 237.
What is the talent index in Abu Dhabi?
80/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Related

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

Full sources index · Submit a correction

Related topics