Energy and commodities occupiers in Dubai typically cluster in DIFC, plan ~240 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out ($240–360/sqft), and pay around 145 AED/sqft ($39 USD) on Class A.

  • Preferred submarket: DIFC.
  • Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($240–360/sqft).
  • Plan ~240 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 145 AED/sqft ($39 USD).
  • Typical lease: 3 years with 3 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Dubai: 78/100.

Energy and commodities office space in Dubai

Energy and commodities occupiers in Dubai typically cluster in DIFC, plan ~240 sqft per seat at trophy fit-out">fit-out ($240–360/sqft), and pay around 145 AED/sqft ($39 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

  • Preferred submarket: DIFC.
  • Typical fit-out spec: Trophy ($240–360/sqft).
  • Plan ~240 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
  • Class A rent context: 145 AED/sqft ($39 USD).
  • Typical lease: 3 years with 3 months rent-free.
  • Talent depth in Dubai: 78/100.

Where they cluster

Energy and commodities occupiers in Dubai typically anchor in DIFC. Investment banks, asset managers, hedge funds, family offices, insurance, law firms.

What they pay

Class A rent in Dubai runs 145 AED/sqft ($39 USD) on a 3-year lease with 3 months free. Trophy submarkets command a 20–40% premium above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical energy and commodities fit-out targets trophy specification at $240–360/sqft. Bespoke design, signature feature, top-tier MEP and acoustic packages are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 240 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount energy office in Dubai typically targets 24,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Trading floors concentrate in CBD trophy product with redundant power and connectivity; engineering teams scale in suburban energy corridors. Deepest cross-border financial-services and consulting talent pool in the Middle East. Average all-in compensation indexes 78.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 9%. Standard lease 3 years with annual rent escalators (typically 5%) and a renewal option. Service charges billed separately. Security deposit of 5-10% standard. Ejari (lease registration) is mandatory.

Key facts

cityDubai
industryEnergy and commodities
naics211, 212, 523130
preferredSubmarketDIFC
preferredFitoutSpecTrophy
fitoutBand$240–360/sqft
sqftPerSeat240
classARentLocal145 AED/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$39/sqft/yr
vacancyPct5.8%
typicalLeaseYears3
typicalRentFreeMonths3
talentIndex78
corporateTaxPct9%

Frequently asked questions

Where do energy and commodities occupiers lease office space in Dubai?
Most cluster in DIFC. Rent runs ~145 AED/sqft ($39 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do energy and commodities occupiers run in Dubai?
Typically trophy at $240–360/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a energy and commodities occupier plan in Dubai?
Plan ~240 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 24,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the energy and commodities vertical?
Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 211, 212, 523130.
What is the talent index in Dubai?
78/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

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Editorial provenance

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

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