• A ground-level view of Uptown Tower. More than 23,000 vehicles have been involved in delivering around 140,000 cubic metres of concrete to the site. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    A ground-level view of Uptown Tower. More than 23,000 vehicles have been involved in delivering around 140,000 cubic metres of concrete to the site. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Executive chairman of DMCC, Ahmed bin Sulayem, whose company is building Uptown Tower in Dubai.
    Executive chairman of DMCC, Ahmed bin Sulayem, whose company is building Uptown Tower in Dubai.
  • A dummy in full safety gear to remind construction workers at Uptown Tower of on-site safety requirements.
    A dummy in full safety gear to remind construction workers at Uptown Tower of on-site safety requirements.
  • Workers at the Uptown Tower site, close to Dubai’s JLT district.
    Workers at the Uptown Tower site, close to Dubai’s JLT district.
  • Once completed, the high-rise will stand 340 metres tall and is set to become a distinctive addition to the Dubai skyline.
    Once completed, the high-rise will stand 340 metres tall and is set to become a distinctive addition to the Dubai skyline.
  • A view from high up Uptown Tower.
    A view from high up Uptown Tower.
  • A view of the top of Uptown Tower.
    A view of the top of Uptown Tower.
  • Construction workers at the Dubai site.
    Construction workers at the Dubai site.
  • A bird's-eye view from Uptown Tower. Once completed, it will be the 14th tallest skyscraper in Dubai.
    A bird's-eye view from Uptown Tower. Once completed, it will be the 14th tallest skyscraper in Dubai.
  • Uptown Towers will be a mixed-use space, featuring offices and residential units, along with a So Sofitel five-star hotel.
    Uptown Towers will be a mixed-use space, featuring offices and residential units, along with a So Sofitel five-star hotel.
  • Construction workers on Uptown Tower. The completed building will be 79 storeys high. It will include 22 floors for commercial use and 10 for the hotel.
    Construction workers on Uptown Tower. The completed building will be 79 storeys high. It will include 22 floors for commercial use and 10 for the hotel.
  • A close-up of a construction worker on the Uptown Tower site.
    A close-up of a construction worker on the Uptown Tower site.
  • A view of the under-construction So Sofitel hotel ballroom.
    A view of the under-construction So Sofitel hotel ballroom.
  • A panoramic view of the ballroom, which will be able to hold more than 1,500 people.
    A panoramic view of the ballroom, which will be able to hold more than 1,500 people.
  • A construction worker takes in the view of Dubai from the tower.
    A construction worker takes in the view of Dubai from the tower.
  • DMCC executive chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem on site. He says the project shows that 'the demand for services in Dubai is increasing all the time'.
    DMCC executive chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem on site. He says the project shows that 'the demand for services in Dubai is increasing all the time'.
  • Uptown Tower is reinforced by more than 30,000 tonnes of steel.
    Uptown Tower is reinforced by more than 30,000 tonnes of steel.
  • Cherry picker truck-mounted aerial platforms at work on Uptown Tower.
    Cherry picker truck-mounted aerial platforms at work on Uptown Tower.
  • A view of Dubai through safety mesh on the site.
    A view of Dubai through safety mesh on the site.
  • A notice reminding workers of Covid-19 precautions on the site.
    A notice reminding workers of Covid-19 precautions on the site.
  • DMCC development director Sana Farooq on-site at Uptown Tower. 'People are already talking about how beautiful it is,' she said
    DMCC development director Sana Farooq on-site at Uptown Tower. 'People are already talking about how beautiful it is,' she said
  • Uptown Tower has been designed to save 15 per cent more energy than the average standard commercial building.
    Uptown Tower has been designed to save 15 per cent more energy than the average standard commercial building.
  • DMCC said at least 20 per cent of materials have been manufactured and bought locally, within a 160-kilometre radius.
    DMCC said at least 20 per cent of materials have been manufactured and bought locally, within a 160-kilometre radius.
  • Uptown Tower is due to open by the third quarter of 2022.
    Uptown Tower is due to open by the third quarter of 2022.

Dubai's Uptown Tower office space fully leased, with work on new towers starting 'soon'


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

Office space at the new Uptown Tower development in Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers has been fully leased before its completion later this year, said the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the free zone behind the project.

The DMCC also confirmed that work on the next two commercial towers in the project is set to commence “soon”.

The 79-floor tower, which stands at 340 metres, making it the 14th tallest in Dubai, has 495,000 square feet of Grade A office space across 22 floors.

Anchor tenants will include Hisense, HIKVision, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and it will also be home to DMCC’s new headquarters.

“Reinforced by a range of leading global businesses selecting Uptown Tower as the base for their Middle East and international operations, pre-leasing 100 per cent of Uptown Tower’s office space ahead of the completion is yet another testament to investor confidence in both DMCC and Dubai’s thriving economy,” said DMCC executive chairman and chief executive Ahmed bin Sulayem.

The building will also have about 2,000 residential units and a SO Sofitel five-star hotel. Its diamond-shape design was in line with DMCC's diamond and gold trading.

Mr bin Sulayem previously told The National that the project was built in response to growing demand for office and commercial space.

“The demand for services in Dubai is increasing all the time,” he said. “It is rivalling the traditional centres of the world and while the pandemic shocked a lot of people, Dubai proved itself during that time.”

Dubai has benefitted from the availability of Grade A space at a cheaper cost, compared with other office centres in the Europe, the Middle East and Africa region, Savills said in its first Global Capital Markets Quarterly update in June.

“The office market in Dubai remains an attractive investment opportunity, with estimated cash-on-cash prime office yields over 8 per cent, second only to Mumbai and highest among the western and Asian countries ranked,” said Edward Price, Savills’ associate director of capital markets in the Middle East.

Dubai is also expected to grow its flexible office space as corporate entities look to adapt and employees seek an alternative to working from home, Savills said this week.

It highlighted Dubai's growth potential on the back of the UAE's strong economic rebound during the past year.

In Dubai, flexible space operators across are recording high occupancy levels, with a few players reporting 100 per cent occupancy and charting plans to further expand offerings across Dubai, Savills said.

The citywide ValuStrat Price Index for Dubai's offices was 20.6 per cent higher than the same period last year, reaching 76.1 points at the end of the second quarter.

ValuStrat said the highest quarter-on-quarter performers were Downtown Dubai (3.9 per cent), Jumeirah Lakes Towers (2.3 per cent) and the DIFC (2.2 per cent).

  • The 356m high Gevora Hotel is now the world's tallest hotel, just edging out JW Marriot Marquis
    The 356m high Gevora Hotel is now the world's tallest hotel, just edging out JW Marriot Marquis
  • Princess tower ( centre ) in Dubai Marina stands an impressive 413m high. Pawan Singh / The National
    Princess tower ( centre ) in Dubai Marina stands an impressive 413m high. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Marina 101 in Dubai Marina at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Marina 101 in Dubai Marina at sunset. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The 392-metre tall 23 Marina in Dubai. Alan Millin
    The 392-metre tall 23 Marina in Dubai. Alan Millin
  • Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid (centre) is the tallest building in the capital. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
    Burj Mohammed Bin Rashid (centre) is the tallest building in the capital. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
  • The Elite Residence building in Dubai Marina. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Elite Residence building in Dubai Marina. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Burj Khalifa has held the record as the world's tallest building since its opening 10 years ago. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Burj Khalifa has held the record as the world's tallest building since its opening 10 years ago. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • The Address Boulevard is one of the UAE's tallest buildings. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The Address Boulevard is one of the UAE's tallest buildings. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Almas Tower, right, stands above other skyscrapers at Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai. Bloomberg
    Almas Tower, right, stands above other skyscrapers at Jumeirah Lakes Towers in Dubai. Bloomberg
  • JW Marriott Marquis is one of the most impressive sights in Dubai's skyline. Courtesy: JW Marriott Marquis
    JW Marriott Marquis is one of the most impressive sights in Dubai's skyline. Courtesy: JW Marriott Marquis

Dubai's tallest towers

1. Burj Khalifa - 828 metres

2. Marina 101 - 425 metres

3. Princess Tower 413.4 metres

4. 23 Marina - 392.4 metres

5. Elite Residence - 380.5 metres

6. The Address Boulevard 370 metres

7. Ciel Tower - 365.5 metres (under construction)

8. Almas Tower - 360 metres

9. Gevora Hotel - 356.3 metres

10. Il Primo Tower 1 - 356 metres (topped out)

Updated: September 02, 2022, 3:57 AM