Qatar's residential market remains stable in 2024
While take-up and occupancy have increased in Lusail Marina and The Pearl, absorption in Lusail's other districts such as Fox Hills and Al Erkyah has been slower, with higher vacancy rates evident, Cushman & Wakefield noted in its Q4 2024 Real Estate Market Review.
The occupancy rates also remain high in many of central Doha's districts; however, the number of new master planned developments on Doha's southern outskirts ahead of the World Cup has resulted in higher vacancy rates in some of these developments, with attractive lease terms and rental incentives available to new tenants. Many of Doha's higher-quality villa compounds are now at full occupancy, with waiting lists increasingly common for compounds in areas such as Onaiza, Mesilla, Al Waab, Duhail etc.
Cityscape Qatar was held at the Doha Exhibition and Conference Centre in October last year where several new residential developments in Qatar were launched. Some of the notable projects to launch at last year's event included SLS Doha and The Groove Residence, by Qetaifan Projects, Crystal Residences on Gewan Island by UDC, and Barwa Hills in Fox Hills.
Cityscape 2024 was held in conjunction with the second Qatar Real Estate Forum, an event that brings together real estate experts and stakeholders from Qatar and around the world, to exchange ideas and explore future trajectories and opportunities in the Qatar Real Estate Market.
The event illustrates the government's determination to support Qatar's real estate market and attract investment from both Qatar and overseas. Central to the development of Qatar's real estate market is the establishment of the real estate regulator Aqarat, which is in the process of merging and developing real estate services and frameworks that had previously been shared between different government ministries.
The fourth quarter of last year also saw inauguration of the landmark Land of Legends project, which is to be developed by Qatari Diar and FTG Development in Simaisma. Land of Legends Qatar is set to become one of the largest theme parks in the Middle East with investment of $3bn.
Oxford Economics have kept their 2025 GDP growth forecast for Qatar unchanged at 2.1% and expects growth will more than double next year as the additional LNG capacity starts up.
The non-energy sector will remain the primary growth engine in the near term after expanding by an estimated 3.2% last year. The planned revamp of key laws governing bankruptcy, public-private partnerships, and commercial registration will likely help unlock stronger foreign direct investment inflows in support of non-energy expansion.
© Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
The Peninsula Newspaper
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
2 days ago
- Arabian Post
Life Sciences on the Chinese Mainland – Vital signs: Diagnosing trends in the life sciences real estate market on the Chinese mainland
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 August 2025 –Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, today released itsreport. It is based on in-depth interview surveys we conducted on professionals active in the life sciences sector on the Chinese mainland. The life sciences industry on the Chinese mainland is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by progressive policies, groundbreaking innovations, the emergence of influential life sciences companies, and strategic regional development. This report delves into the latest trends shaping the sector. Policy Landscape – National and Local Catalysts Reforms enacted in 2024-2025 have significantly accelerated sector development. Nationally, China relaxed restrictions on foreign investment in gene and cell therapy and allowed the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in key cities. Regulatory incentives – such as data protection and marketing exclusivity – have improved market access for innovative drugs. Locally, cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Suzhou are rolling out targeted subsidies, fast-track approvals, and ecosystem-building programmes that directly benefit biotech development. ADVERTISEMENT Recent national policy initiatives on the Chinese mainland Types of policies Detail information Opening to Foreign Investment In 2024, China eased restrictions on foreign investments in stem cell research, gene therapy, and genetic diagnostics within Free Trade Zones (FTZs) like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, and Hainan. Regulatory Incentives The State Council's Circular No. 53 introduced measures such as regulatory data protection and marketing exclusivity for select pharmaceutical products, including orphan and paediatric drugs. Wholly Foreign-Owned Hospitals China now permits the establishment of wholly foreign-owned hospitals in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, enhancing healthcare services and encouraging foreign investment. Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research Industry Innovation and Company Growth Chinese life sciences companies are moving beyond generic drug manufacturing toward innovative therapies. Firms like Akeso, BeiGene, Gracell, and Legend Biotech are now global players, leading in CAR-T, bispecific antibodies, and AI-assisted R&D. These companies are not only commercialising cutting-edge treatments but also attracting international investment and licensing agreements, reinforcing the Chinese mainland's global relevance in life sciences. Real Estate Development and Regional Hubs ADVERTISEMENT Innovation hubs such as Suzhou BioBAY, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park (Shanghai), and the Bioisland Innovation Centre (Guangdong) are central to regional clustering. These hubs offer end-to-end support, including shared labs, venture capital access, GMP-compliant facilities, and proximity to academic and clinical networks. The rise of second-tier innovation cities like Chengdu and Ningbo further expands growth corridors. The 'R&D + Manufacturing + Service' ecosystem Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research Landlord Perspectives – Evolving Real Estate Models Real estate developers and landlords are adapting to sector-specific requirements through asset-light models, flexible leasing, and high-specification lab and production space. Tier-1 cities face saturation, but central and western regions exhibit healthy demand. Developers are incorporating advanced sustainability and compliance features to meet growing regulatory and ESG expectations, particularly in GMP and cleanroom environments. Digitalisation, environmental policies, and differentiated tenant strategies are shaping performance. Operators now focus on integrated ecosystems with platforms that link tenants to R&D services, policy benefits, and technology partners. Occupier Perspectives – Growth, Innovation, and Challenges Life sciences occupiers are navigating regulatory reform, rising compliance demands, and intensified market competition. Many are localising production and R&D, leveraging regional subsidies, and investing in AI-powered innovation platforms. Occupiers seek flexibility, proximity to talent and infrastructure, and co-located R&D and manufacturing to support accelerated innovation and operational agility. In real estate, demand is strongest for GMP-certified labs, modular production facilities, and shared innovation platforms. Occupiers emphasise location advantages, sustainability certifications (e.g., LEED, WELL), and integration into clusters that enable faster time-to-market. Tony Su, Managing Director, National Head of Industrial & Logistics Property Services, China, said, 'Life sciences business parks on the Chinese mainland demonstrated clear regional differentiation, highlighting opportunities for strategic positioning. While Tier-1 cities saw more moderate performance due to broader macroeconomic factors and abundant supply, core cities in central and western regions recorded healthy occupancy rates, underpinned by strong industrial clustering and increasingly sophisticated ecosystems – contributing to steady growth in asset value.' Johnathan Wei, President, Project & Occupier Services, China, said, 'Several interviewed life sciences companies on the Chinese mainland achieved revenue growth supported by innovative products and favourable policy tailwinds. While overall growth remained modest for many, a select group reported strong performance, highlighting opportunities for differentiation'. Andrew Chan, Managing Director, Head of Valuation & Advisory Services, Greater China, said,' Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, growth opportunities lie in AI-driven drug discovery, personalised medicine, advanced therapeutics (CGT, RNA), and green-certified facilities. Government policies continue to support innovation through fast-track approvals, rare disease funding, and subsidies aligned with dual-carbon and ESG goals'. Shaun Brodie, Head of Research Content, Greater China, 'Life sciences real estate is shifting from generic parks to specialised, digitally enabled campuses with high compliance and flexibility. Investment strategies increasingly emphasise long-term partnerships, collaborative operating models, and digital infrastructure. Both landlords and occupiers express cautious optimism, with strategic differentiation and regional targeting seen as keys to unlocking future value'. Please click here to download the full report. Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn (
Khaleej Times
22-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Dubai developers return to selling office space to individual investors
Developers in Dubai are once again offering commercial office space to individual investors, responding to rising demand as the off-plan office segment experiences a resurgence in select submarkets. 'There was a time when entire office buildings in Dubai were sold off-plan. Over time, the model shifted toward developers constructing buildings solely for rental purposes, moving away from strata ownership,' said PP Varghese, head of professional services at Cushman & Wakefield Core. 'After 2010, we saw a return to strata ownership, where individual investors could purchase office units within developments. However, that again changed following the economic downturn, with developers choosing to retain full ownership and lease to corporate tenants. Independent ownership largely disappeared. Now, we're seeing a shift back — office buildings are being sold off-plan once more, much like residential properties,' he told Khaleej Times. Varghese attributed this trend to renewed investor confidence in the office sector, supported by strong performance indicators. 'There's a robust belief in the segment, with average occupancy rates hovering around 92 per cent and 95 per cent for Grade A offices,' he noted. 'From 2013 to 2015, confidence in the office market was low, prompting developers to avoid strata sales. But the situation has changed. The market is much more resilient now, and individual investors are re-engaging. That's why developers are reintroducing this product.' The re-emergence of commercial off-plan sales is primarily occurring in fringe submarkets like Arjan and Motor City, Varghese added. 'While this creates strata-based inventory for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it doesn't alleviate the shortage of institutionally owned Grade A stock — the type preferred by global tenants and institutional investors,' he said in the firm's mid-year 2025 market update. Developers are also financially incentivised to pursue sales. 'If developers can achieve the right sales price, they can recover capital faster. From a return-on-investment perspective, it becomes a more lucrative strategy,' Varghese explained. Landlords in control Real estate consultancy JLL also reported growing appetite among developers to build new office stock and refurbish outdated assets to take advantage of supply-demand imbalances. 'Landlords are substantially raising quoted rents, creating a widening gap between asking prices and tenant expectations,' JLL noted. Dubai's office market continues to attract strong interest from both newly established local startups and international corporations looking to establish a presence in the emirate. According to Cushman & Wakefield Core, key districts such as Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), One Central, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Dubai Design District (D3) are nearing full occupancy. This surge in demand has driven up office rental rates, with average rents reaching Dh190 per square foot — a 22 per cent year-on-year increase. In Q1 2025, prime office rents rose by 14.2 per cent, reflecting robust market conditions. Real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield Core's forecasts indicated that just 0.89 million square feet of new commercial space is expected to be delivered in 2025. However, the pipeline expands significantly in 2026 and 2027, with a combined 6.4 million square feet currently under development. According to JLL, most of this upcoming supply is concentrated in prime locations and will predominantly feature Grade A specifications.
Arabian Post
18-07-2025
- Arabian Post
Cushman & Wakefield Releases 2024 Sustainability Report
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 July 2025 – Cushman & Wakefield, a leading global real estate services firm, today released its 2024 Sustainability Report , demonstrating the firm's commitment to operational excellence and responsible business practices. The report highlights the firm's global impact across key sustainability areas during 2024 and progress on future targets that will help shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for its people, clients, planet and communities. Cushman & Wakefield prioritizes sustainability and continuously delivers on its commitment to embed sustainable practices into its operations and service offerings to help clients achieve their ambitious goals, strengthen their corporate reputation and reduce risks. The 2024 Sustainability Report highlights the firm's dedication to maintaining transparency, embracing accountability and driving ongoing progress across sustainability initiatives. 'We recognize the profound role we play in shaping a sustainable future for the built environment,' said Jessica Francisco, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cushman & Wakefield. 'Our 2024 Sustainability Report reflects the strides we've made toward reducing our carbon footprint, enhancing energy efficiency and fostering communities that thrive. We are particularly proud to have achieved our 2030 emissions reduction target for Scope 1 and 2 emissions six years ahead of schedule—a clear indication of the meaningful progress we are making. This milestone underscores our dedication to building a better, more sustainable future for generations to come.' ADVERTISEMENT Cushman & Wakefield's 2024 key sustainability achievements include: Provided sustainability services for 85,126 buildings totaling over 1.18 billion square feet Exceeded its target of a 50% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 market-based greenhouse gas emissions relative to a 2019 baseline, six years ahead of schedule Procured 87% of electricity for the firm's corporate offices from renewable sources Launched new company DRIVE (Driven, Resilient, Inclusive, Visionary and Entrepreneurial) values and purpose; 91% of employees reported understanding the DRIVE values in a subsequent engagement survey Launched a new Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) strategy and global 360 EHS model Performed 377 CHECKIT health and safety audits across the firm's operational activities 'At Cushman & Wakefield, advancing a more sustainable future is a strategic imperative that we have committed to delivering on for our business, clients and stakeholders,' said Nathaniel Robinson, Chief Investment & Strategy Officer at Cushman & Wakefield. 'By aligning our sustainability initiatives with our broader strategic priorities, we are building resilience, unlocking opportunities for growth, and setting a new benchmark for performance and responsibility across the commercial real estate industry.' The firm was recently named one of America's Climate Leaders 2025 by USA TODAY. Cushman & Wakefield's 2024 Sustainability Report is available here. Hashtag: #Cushman&Wakefield The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Cushman & Wakefield Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global commercial real estate services firm for property owners and occupiers with approximately 52,000 employees in nearly 400 offices and 60 countries. In Greater China, a network of 23 offices serves local markets across the region. In 2024, the firm reported revenue of $9.4 billion across its core services of Valuation, Consulting, Project & Development Services, Capital Markets, Project & Occupier Services, Industrial & Logistics, Retail, and others. Built around the belief that Better never settles, the firm receives numerous industry and business accolades for its award-winning culture. For additional information, visit or follow us on LinkedIn (
