JLL

Industry News

Dubai Warehouse Tenants Prioritise Renewals as Regional Conflict Drives Cautious Leasing

Dubai warehouse tenants are opting to renew existing leases rather than commit to new spaces amid regional geopolitical uncertainty. Data from Cavendish Maxwell shows warehouse lease renewals surged 21.6% to a record high in the first half of 2026, while new lease contracts dropped 51.8% year-on-year. Despite the cautious sentiment, average rents in Dubai increased 12.4% over the same period.

Policy & Legal Updates

Abu Dhabi climbs eight spots to 33rd in global real estate transparency ranking

Abu Dhabi rose eight places to rank 33rd globally in JLL's 2026 Global Real Estate Transparency Index, scoring 2.42. The emirate recorded the largest improvement globally, supported by expanded market disclosure and digital initiatives led by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC). ADREC has established a strategic target to rank among the top 25 most transparent real estate markets by 2030.