Dubai Industrial City warehouses for lease

Updated: 27/10/2025

Dubai Industrial Park

Dubai Industrial Park (formerly Dubai Industrial City) is a planned industrial zone in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The project was announced in 2004 as a large-scale, purpose-built industrial hub with a total planned area of more than 52 million square metres. The development is intended to cluster manufacturing, logistics, warehousing, and support services in one location near Al Maktoum International Airport, along Emirates Road. The master plan includes dedicated zones for food and beverage production, machinery, metals, chemicals, and transport equipment, as well as education and mixed-use support facilities. At full build-out, the area was projected to accommodate approximately 500,000 people.

History and development

Dubai Industrial Park was launched in 2004 under the name Dubai Industrial City as part of a wider industrial diversification strategy for Dubai. The project was positioned as an integrated manufacturing and logistics hub intended to reduce reliance on oil revenues and to support downstream industries such as food processing, transport equipment assembly, and building materials.

The development is associated with Tatweer, a Dubai government-affiliated holding and development group. Tatweer began leasing approximately 1.5 million square feet of warehouse space scheduled for delivery by December, with the stated goal of relieving capacity pressure in the United Arab Emirates’ logistics and storage market. This early warehousing stock formed part of the park’s initial activation phase, allowing tenants to begin operating while large parts of the wider site were still under construction.

The full build-out of Dubai Industrial Park was described as including dedicated manufacturing plots, logistics corridors, and service infrastructure (power, road access, and maintenance areas). Completion targets cited in early plans projected that the development would be substantially completed by 2015.

Master plan and zoning

According to the published master plan, Dubai Industrial Park is divided into six primary industrial zones, each focused on a specific group of activities:

Zone 1: Food and beverage – processing, packaging, storage, and distribution of food products and drinks.
Zone 2: Transport equipment and parts – assembly, components, and support industries for automotive, transport, and related systems.
Zone 3: Machinery and equipment – light and heavy industrial machinery manufacturing, fabrication, and servicing.
Zone 4: Mineral products – production of materials such as cement, ceramics, glass, and related building products.
Zone 5: Metals – metalworking, fabrication, and finishing.
Zone 6: Chemicals – chemical processing, industrial chemicals, and related inputs for manufacturing.

In addition to the six core zones, the plan includes logistics areas, large-scale warehouses, and a central maintenance and service area. These industrial functions are intended to be supported by education facilities, training and certification centres, and multi-purpose development for business services.

Location

Dubai Industrial Park is located in the vicinity of Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central) and lies along Emirates Road. The siting places the project within the wider logistics corridor of southern Dubai, near emerging air, sea, and land freight links.

Capacity and workforce

Early projections stated that the development would ultimately house and support a working and residential population of approximately 500,000 people. This figure included direct industrial labour, logistics and maintenance personnel, services staff, and residents in associated mixed-use areas.

Logistics and warehousing

Warehouse capacity was positioned as a core part of the project’s early rollout. Tatweer announced that it had begun leasing about 1.5 million square feet of warehouse facilities planned for delivery by December as part of the first phase. The release of this space was described as an immediate response to high demand for storage and distribution capacity in the UAE logistics market, and was intended to attract tenants in sectors such as food distribution, automotive parts, and industrial inputs while the rest of the park was still under phased construction.

Related infrastructure

The design of Dubai Industrial Park includes dedicated logistics corridors intended to connect manufacturers with warehousing, customs, and outbound freight. The park’s advertised proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and major highway links (including Emirates Road) is positioned as a competitive factor for export-oriented and import-dependent industries.

Executive summary: why this wave of supply matters now

Leasing 1.5 million sq ft across 220 modular warehouses inside Dubai Industrial City (DIC) lands at exactly the right time for the UAE’s logistics cycle. The location sits in Dubai’s western logistics corridor with direct access to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)—a sweet spot for time-sensitive air cargo and high-volume ocean freight. With unit sizes in 5,000-sq-ft increments (including 80 x 10,000 sq ft and 140 x 5,000 sq ft shells), occupiers can scale space without lumpy capex, while specialized options (cold storage and front-facing showroom bays) fit food & pharma, aftermarket, and B2B display-plus-stock models.

Operations are set to be run by TransPark—a platform aligned with a global contract-logistics pedigree (DHL/Danzas/Exel—today under DHL Group), which allows first-time entrants to stand up fulfillment with enterprise-grade SOPs and lets multinationals replicate global standards. The wider industrial city spans 560 million sq ft, meaning suppliers, labor, and compliance services live close at hand—shortening commissioning and cutting downtime.

For a head of logistics or a CFO watching total cost of occupancy (TCO), this launch checks the three boxes that matter: location, modularity, and operator quality. The upshot is faster time-to-serve, lower variability in lead times, and a smoother path to omnichannel fulfillment across the GCC. In the sections below, you’ll find who these units are best for, the cost levers to watch, a practical leasing checklist, a 2025 market update that could change your calculus, and a keyword strategy if you’re marketing or listing these assets online.

Location & connectivity: DWC, JAFZA, and the west-Dubai freight triangle

If you’re moving goods in or out of the Gulf, geography is destiny. DIC sits minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)—Dubai’s fast-expanding second airport—and Jebel Ali Port/JAFZA, one of the world’s most active free zones. That combination makes it unusually easy to orchestrate split logistics flows: heavy inbound via sea, high-priority replenishment via air, and road distribution to Dubai proper and the Northern Emirates via Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road.

For B2B distributors and D2C brands alike, this is where the location outperforms: you can hold deeper SKUs for wholesale orders while still offering next-day (or same-day) SLAs into the Dubai metro thanks to predictable, multi-lane highway access. When your OTIF promise tightens, predictability matters even more than raw speed; this corridor’s infrastructure helps you trim safety stock and cut buffer times without gambling on last-mile volatility.

Being adjacent to JAFZA also simplifies import/re-export plays. Documentation and customs processes tuned for high-frequency cargo let you move from container availability to pick faces quickly, which is exactly what an e-commerce push or a seasonal campaign needs. And as DWC scales up (see the 2025 market update below), this area becomes even more central: more flights, more cargo capacity, and more belly space improve routings and resilience when lanes get tight.

Inventory & formats: what’s on offer and how to right-size

The current release totals 220 units with two base footprints—5,000 sq ft and 10,000 sq ft—and the ability to lease in 5,000 sq ft multiples. That modularity is the quiet superpower here: you can start with 10,000 sq ft and step to 15,000 or 20,000 as demand proves out, rather than overcommitting early or moving sites later. For operators handling seasonality (Ramadan, back-to-school, White/Yellow Fridays), the ability to dial space up or down in clean blocks keeps TCO in line with revenue.

Beyond shell size, there are specialized typologies:

Cold storage (food & beverages, pharma): integrate receiving, QA, and temperature-controlled storage to reduce waste and meet GxP and HACCP requirements without green-field capex.
Base-metals & light fabrication: spec-appropriate floors and safety systems for heavy or awkward SKUs.
Transport equipment & spare parts: ideal for MRO, aftermarket automotive, and aviation parts—where proximity to DWC and JAFZA matters.
Showroom-front units: combine B2B display with back-of-house stock so buyers can see, spec, and take delivery faster.

A quick decision table to map use case to unit:

Use case	Start size	Add-on logic	Notes
D2C/e-commerce fulfillment	10,000 sq ft	+5,000 sq ft blocks	Fast to commission; easy to layer returns processing
Food & pharma (cold)	10,000 sq ft	+5,000 sq ft cold shells	Validate power, racking, and temp-mapping early
B2B wholesale with display	5,000–10,000 sq ft	+5,000 sq ft showroom shells	Shorten “demo → deal → delivery”
MRO/aftermarket parts	5,000 sq ft	+5,000 sq ft	Proximity to airport/port cuts AOG and downtime
Metals & building materials	10,000 sq ft	+5,000 sq ft	Check floor loads, MHE clearances, fire systems

Run operations like a profit center: TransPark & enterprise-grade 3PL

Four walls don’t move boxes—process does. These warehouses are slated to be operated by TransPark, set up in partnership with a global contract-logistics leader (the DHL Group family), which means you inherit proven WMS, SOPs, and KPI frameworks from day one. That matters whether you’re a first-time market entrant or a multinational consolidating sites.

Expect the usual enterprise stack: inbound scheduling, ASN-driven receiving, directed putaway, cycle counting, wave picking, and robust QA hooks. Add value-added services—kitting, labeling, postponement, light customization—and you can hold fewer finished variants while still meeting channel needs. On the outbound side, the DIC/DWC/JAFZA triangle simplifies multi-carrier routing (road, air, sea), while partnerships cut time between cargo availability and out-for-delivery.

From a governance angle, this setup also reduces ramp-risk. You’re not assembling a green team and hoping they gel before peak; you’re stepping into a standardized, audited environment with dashboards you can mirror across regions. And if you choose a hybrid model (keep core picks in-house, outsource returns or special projects), the operator can modularize services as easily as you modularize square footage.

Cost levers, timeline, and a no-drama path to go-live

The developer’s capex on the secured compound—AED 290 million with >60% completion reported in the build phase—won’t directly set your rent, but it’s a proxy for spec quality and delivery confidence. Practical cost components you’ll actually model:

Base rent ($/sq ft/year) by typology (standard vs. cold storage, frontage/showroom).
Service charges (security, common areas, waste).
Utilities (power—big for cold storage—water, data).
Fit-out (racking, offices, conveyor/AMR where relevant).
Insurance (stock, liability, business interruption).
Term & escalators (annual indexation; expansion/exit clauses).

A low-friction commissioning path usually looks like this:

(1) shortlist unit(s) and issue LOI;
(2) technical due diligence (clear heights, floor loads, fire system ratings, connected power);
(3) service-level definition with the operator (SLAs, KPIs, penalties, surge playbook);
(4) fit-out design and install;
(5) parallel hiring/training;
(6) soft-launch and ramp. Because DIC straddles multiple highways, getting people and equipment on site during fit-out is straightforward, and mock routes to customers are easy to trial.

The big upside with modular shells is capex pacing: add racking and MHE only when you add square footage. That protects return on invested capital (ROIC) and keeps payback periods sane if demand builds over a few quarters rather than overnight.

Best-fit sectors: where these boxes punch above their weight

Cold-chain food & pharma. Temperature-controlled shells near DWC are a cure for over-long cold transports. Receiving, temp-mapping, QA, and dispatch can live under one roof, avoiding hand-offs that introduce loss risk. If you’re exporting regionally, airfreight lanes from DWC improve shelf-life math and customer service.
Aftermarket & MRO. Aviation, heavy equipment, and automotive parts move better when emergency orders aren’t a calendar event. DIC’s proximity to both airport and port reduces AOG duration and mean-time-to-repair. With a showroom-plus-stock format, service managers can demo parts, spec kits, and leave with product the same day.
E-commerce & omnichannel retail. Units in 5,000–10,000 sq ft chunks are perfect for first-stage fulfillment. You can scale SKUs and add a returns cell without committing to a megabox. SLA-driven operations by a global 3PL let you plug in forecasting, marketplaces, and last-mile APIs with fewer surprises.
Metals, building materials, and project supply. If your SKUs are long, heavy, or hazardous, spec-correct shells (floor, fire system, clear heights) matter as much as price. A front-showroom helps specifiers and project managers kick the tires before the truck rolls.

Each of these sectors benefits from the same trifecta: the DIC location, the module-by-module expansion, and the operator’s standardized playbook. Put differently: less time firefighting, more time shipping.

The pragmatic leasing checklist

Demand shape. Map base volume and seasonal peaks. If you’re torn between 10,000 and 15,000 sq ft, start at 10,000 with a built-in expansion option.
Spec fit. Do you need cold, showroom frontage, extra clear height, drive-in/through, or specific dock layouts? Sketch your material flow before you sign.
Power & protection. Validate connected load, spare capacity, sprinkler/detection ratings, ventilation, and chemical compatibility if applicable.
Service split. Decide which VAS to outsource (kitting, labeling, returns) and lock SLAs/KPIs with your operator.
True TCO. Model base rent + service + utilities + people + transport + insurance. Add a conservative buffer for energy.
Growth & term. Bake in expansion clauses and understand escalators.
Compliance. Confirm permits/licenses for your activity (food, chemicals, pharma).
Route testing. Run lane tests to top customers in peak traffic windows via Sheikh Zayed Rd and Emirates Rd.
Systems. Confirm WMS/ERP integrations, EDI/API with carriers, and connectivity redundancy.

Do these nine things, and you’re maximizing odds of staying in place for years—rather than relocating just as your team finds its rhythm.

2025 updates that change the calculus

A lot has shifted around DIC’s ecosystem—and it’s good news for occupiers:

DWC mega-expansion is real and accelerating. Dubai approved a Dh128bn (~$35bn) new terminal at Al Maktoum International (DWC), ultimately targeting up to 260M passengers with five runways and ~400 gates, and a progressive transition of operations from DXB through the next decade. For logistics, more long-haul capacity and belly space mean better routings and resilience.

Demand and rents have surged. In 2024, Dubai’s industrial & logistics demand jumped ~225% to 40.6M sq ft, with average rents up ~33% and vacancy near 3%, according to Knight Frank’s 2024-25 review. This supports leasing sooner rather than later if a specific spec or frontage is mission-critical.

DIC’s parent alignment and capital commitments. Dubai Industrial City sits within TECOM Group’s portfolio today; in August 2025 TECOM announced AED 1.6bn to expand DIC, including acquiring 138 plots to accelerate manufacturing and logistics capacity—more runway for suppliers and future build-to-suits.

Activity in the JAFZA/Dubai South belt keeps rising. Warehouse transactions in Dubai rose ~60% YoY in 2025 on the back of e-commerce growth (Cavendish Maxwell), while global players like JD.com added new 10,000-sqm facilities in JAFZA—a signal of sustained regional demand and digital operations adoption.

Practical takeaway for 2025. Expect tighter competition for good cold-chain shells, growing appetite for showroom-front formats, and lead times that favor occupiers who pre-book expansion options. If you need airfreight elasticity or future-proof belly capacity, being on the DIC/DWC side of town is increasingly rational—not just convenient.

Keyword strategy & topic clusters

Below is a compact, American-English keyword map you can reuse in listings, brochures, and landing pages. Use the primary keyphrase in your H1/SEO title, spread secondary variants across H2s/H3s, and work long-tails into paragraphs, bullets, captions, and FAQs.

Primary keyphrase

Dubai Industrial City warehouses for lease

Secondary variants

Dubai Industrial City warehouse for rent
DIC warehouse leasing
warehouse space near DWC
Dubai cold storage warehouse for lease
showroom warehouse Dubai
5,000 sq ft warehouse Dubai
10,000 sq ft warehouse Dubai
warehouses near JAFZA
Dubai logistics warehouses

Long-tail ideas

flexible warehouse units in Dubai Industrial City
cold storage warehouse for pharmaceuticals in Dubai
warehouse with showroom frontage near Jebel Ali
modular warehouse leasing in 5,000 sq ft blocks
best warehouses near Al Maktoum International Airport
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total cost to lease cold storage in Dubai
Dubai warehouse with 3PL operations included

Intent	Example queries (US English)	Content angle
Transactional	“Dubai Industrial City warehouses for lease”, “warehouse with showroom Dubai”	Availability, specs, pricing, tour CTA
Commercial research	“5,000 sq ft warehouse Dubai price”, “DIC cold storage lease terms”	TCO breakdowns, fit-out checklists
Informational	“what is DWC airport expansion”, “JAFZA vs Dubai Industrial City”	2025 updates, pros/cons by hub

DIC’s warehouse release is tailor-made for today’s Dubai logistics reality: high demand, tight vacancy, rising rents, and infrastructure that is scaling hard around DWC/JAFZA. The value proposition—A-grade location, 5,000-sq-ft modularity, and global-standard operations—means less time firefighting and more time shipping. Layer in the 2025 momentum (DWC’s mega-terminal, TECOM’s new capital in DIC, and surging market activity), and committing early—while keeping your expansion flexible—looks like the sensible move.

FAQs

How fast can I scale if demand spikes?
Start with 5,000–10,000 sq ft and add 5,000-sq-ft blocks as needed. Because the operator runs standardized SOPs, scaling labor and lanes is largely a matter of pre-agreed SLAs—not re-engineering your building.

Is cold storage really plug-and-play?
You’ll still validate power, temp mapping, and racking to your SKU profile, but the shell and systems are designed to compress commissioning time versus a bespoke build. Lock energy tariffs and maintenance windows up front for predictable OPEX.

Do showroom-front units make sense for B2B?
Yes—if your sales cycle benefits from hands-on demo and immediate delivery (machinery, construction materials, industrial supplies). The format collapses demo, negotiation, and fulfillment into one address.

What’s the single biggest cost swing?
Energy (for cold chain) and term structure (escalators, renewal options) tend to move TCO the most. Model scenarios with conservative buffers and negotiate expansion rights before you need them.