Is Dubai’s Commercial Market Being Left Behind Amid Record Off-Plan Launches?
Dubai’s skyline is expanding faster than ever, with thousands of new off-plan residential projects being launched across the city, but while glossy towers and high-density apartment developments continue to dominate the landscape, a crucial segment of the market is being left behind - commercial and office space.
Despite a surge in overall construction activity, the numbers tell a clear story: developers are still not building enough commercial property to meet the city’s growing business demand.
In October 2025, Dubai recorded 5,355 completed units by developers which was up by 189% year-on-year from 1,853 in October 2024. Yet only 7% of those completions were commercial spaces which includes retail space not offices. Even with this increase, the proportion remains far too low for a city welcoming over 1,000 new residents every day, many of whom are entrepreneurs or professionals seeking to launch or expand their businesses.
On the development side, there are signs of progress but the gaps persist. In October 2024, only 1% of new launches were for commercial space and again none for offices. By October 2025, this figure had grown to 6%, with 5% dedicated to office space. While this represents an improvement, it still falls far short of the levels needed to accommodate Dubai’s booming commercial activity.
Nowhere is this imbalance felt more acutely than in the startup and SME ecosystem. Virtuzone, the UAE’s leading company formation and corporate services provider, reports that it is now registering approximately 500 new businesses every day in Dubai - an extraordinary figure that underscores the city’s growing role as a global entrepreneurship hub. Beyond company setup, Virtuzone also supports new entrepreneurs with tax domicile services, compliance, and ongoing business management, making it a critical partner in helping new residents establish both their companies and their lives in the UAE.
With that level of business creation, the question is clear: can Dubai’s limited commercial supply keep up?
“The imbalance between residential and commercial supply is stark,” says Lewis Allsopp, Chairman of Allsopp & Allsopp. “While apartments continue to flood the market, there’s a clear shortage of office and retail space. With hundreds of new businesses launching daily, this presents a major opportunity for developers and investors alike.”
Recognising this gap, Allsopp & Allsopp has partnered with Virtuzone to deliver an integrated solution for new entrepreneurs, investors, and residents entering the Dubai market. Through this strategic collaboration, Virtuzone clients setting up new companies gain direct access to Allsopp & Allsopp’s commercial real estate portfolio - from premium offices and retail units to warehouses and land plots.
Conversely, Allsopp & Allsopp clients purchasing property or relocating to Dubai can leverage Virtuzone’s expertise in company formation, tax, compliance, and business management, making the process of launching and growing a business in the UAE seamless from start to finish.
“This partnership combines two market leaders who share one goal - making it easier for people to live, work, and invest in Dubai,” adds George Hojeige, Group CEO of Virtuzone. “By linking business setup with commercial real estate, we’re bridging a crucial gap in the market and helping entrepreneurs turn opportunity into success.”
As Dubai continues to cement its status as a global hub for innovation and investment, the call for developers to rebalance their pipelines is growing louder. With demand outpacing supply in the commercial sector, the city stands on the brink of one of its most exciting new investment opportunities and Allsopp & Allsopp, together with Virtuzone, is leading the way in meeting it.
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About Allsopp & Allsopp
Allsopp & Allsopp is Dubai’s highest-awarded independent real estate agency. Founded in 2008 by Lewis Allsopp (Chairman) and Carl Allsopp (CEO), the company is recognised for its innovative, transparent approach to real estate, using data-driven tools and expert insights to help clients make informed property decisions.
About Virtuzone
Virtuzone has been the UAE’s leading company formation specialist and an award-winning corporate service provider since 2009. Our company is home to 250+ experts who speak 40 languages and provide unmatched expertise and tailored advice in company formation, corporate structuring, tax, compliance and more. We provide a full suite of business solutions, including trade licensing, visa processing, accounting, corporate tax and VAT services, compliance, golden visa applications, legal support, and more.
Now part of Ascentium, a global business services platform supporting over 50,000 client entities across 44 cities in 22 markets in Asia-Pacific (APAC), the Middle East, Americas, and Europe, we’re expanding opportunities for our clients and partners by offering access to new markets and an even broader range of corporate services as well as finance and accounting, HR services, and fiduciary and trust services.This strategic move brings together our combined expertise, resources, and networks, empowering businesses to scale faster and operate seamlessly across borders. Whether you’re starting a business or looking to grow, Virtuzone is here to make your journey simple, easy and hassle-free.
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