Abu Dhabi's Commercial Market Improving in 2014

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According to international property consultancy firm Cluttons, Abu Dhabi's commercial market has yet to benefit from any economic upturn, but their outlook is improving in 2014. With mixed availability of commercial space across the Abu Dhabi market, potential occupiers remain focussed on prime Grade A stock, which is sustaining rents at the top end of the market.

Cluttons Abu Dhabi Spring 2014 Commercial Market Outlook report asserts that with flat rents persisting, occupiers remain in the driving seat and are in a position to cherry pick from a range of options, As a result, good quality space in more centrally located submarkets remains in high demand.. Despite the on-going drive for economic diversification, the office market is yet to see any benefit, with demand levels generally weak, but stable. This has meant that commercial rents have continued to stagnate. Rents for Grade A stock held steady at AED 1,850 per square meter during Q1 2014.

The overall weakness in the market raises the spectre not only for a widening gap in rents for prime and secondary (or tertiary) office space, but also for prime and secondary locations. No notable upturn in demand for office space is expected this year; however the steady stream of requirements, particularly from the public sector, will sustain Grade A office rents.

Cluttons Middle East Chief Executive Steve Morgan said, "We have witnessed a widening gap between Grade A and more secondary and tertiary office space in recent months and we expect this gap to widen further. With stable rents at the top end of the market, many occupiers are capitalizing on the stability in rents by moving into space that they perceive to be of a higher quality. New Grade A stock in the form of Capital Tower at the Capital Centre and The World Trade Centre Office Tower and Landmark Tower on the Cornice are all anticipated to be absorbed rapidly as a consequence."

The creation of the emirate's first financial freezone at Sowwah Square is viewed as a positive move for Abu Dhabi's office market. An internationally governed financial freezone is likely to aid in attracting larger international players to the market once the freezone is established officially. This is expected to help evolve the emirate's occupier base further and give momentum to the sustainability of the organic economic growth now taking hold. In addition to this, a two tiered prime market is also likely to emerge with Sowwah Square commanding higher rents than comparable Grade A space elsewhere in the emirate.

Rents across Abu Dhabi's industrial submarkets have also remained unchanged for three consecutive quarters. The focus of activity remains at KIZAD, with land plots in particularly high demand as occupiers focus their expansion activities here. Furthermore, new occupiers continue to be drawn to KIZAD by its attractive positioning, mid-way between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Multi nodal transport hubs are paving the way for the industrial market's future success and with the establishment of Etihad Rail's main operational base in ICAD IV, Cluttons anticipates a sharp increase in occupier demand in this area as manufacturers and distributors look to position themselves in close proximity to the hub of the UAE's first freight train line.

"The commercial market in Abu Dhabi remains stable, but improving economic conditions and critical infrastructure investments now coming through, we have a much more positive outlook of the market compared to this time last year," concluded Morgan.