Dubai has 6 distinct Class A submarkets we track, anchored by DIFC at the trophy tier.

  • 6 submarkets covered.
  • Trophy tier: DIFC, Downtown Dubai.
  • Prime tier: Downtown / Business Bay, Internet City & Media City, Dubai Marina & JLT, Business Bay.
  • Established/emerging tier: —.

Dubai Class A submarkets

Dubai has 6 distinct Class A submarkets we track, anchored by DIFC at the trophy tier.

TL;DR

  • 6 submarkets covered.
  • Trophy tier: DIFC, Downtown Dubai.
  • Prime tier: Downtown / Business Bay, Internet City & Media City, Dubai Marina & JLT, Business Bay.
  • Established/emerging tier: —.

By tier

**DIFC** (trophy, ~AED 380/sqft/yr · ≈ $103 PSF/yr USD) — The financial free zone — English common law, separate court system. **Downtown / Business Bay** (prime, ~AED 220/sqft/yr · ≈ $59.8 PSF/yr USD) — Largest contiguous trophy floor plates. **Internet City & Media City** (prime, ~AED 160/sqft/yr · ≈ $43.5 PSF/yr USD) — Tech and media free zones. **Downtown Dubai** (trophy, ~AED 75/sqft/yr · ≈ $20.4 PSF/yr USD) — Burj Khalifa-adjacent trophy mixed-use. **Dubai Marina & JLT** (prime, ~AED 55/sqft/yr · ≈ $15 PSF/yr USD) — Western waterfront alternative cluster. **Business Bay** (prime, ~AED 60/sqft/yr · ≈ $16.3 PSF/yr USD) — Central mixed-use Class A spine adjacent to Downtown.

Key facts

cityDubai
countryUnited Arab Emirates
regionEMEA
classARentLocal145 AED/sqft/yr
classARentUsd$39/sqft/yr
vacancy5.8%
typicalLeaseYears3
typicalRentFreeMonths3
submarkets6
primeYieldPct7.5%
trophyCount2
primeCount4

Frequently asked questions

How many Class A submarkets are in Dubai?
6, ranging from trophy (DIFC) down to established and emerging clusters.

Editorial provenance

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

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