Prior to the conflict, employers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were under pressure to retain talent. Major occupiers, particularly in the technology sector, have been investing heavily in staff wellbeing and office amenities, with the office experience increasingly positioned to compete with working from home. This has included prioritising meeting and collaboration areas, larger pantries, and a more hospitality-led look and experience. Such changes increase fit-out costs through higher-quality finishes, more complex mechanical and electrical provisions, and less standardisation across floors.

Given the shortage of space, the decision for occupiers is whether to risk relocation, which may be time-consuming and expensive, or to try to upgrade current spaces to meet these modern demands, which comes with its own challenges. These include the practical hurdles of retrofitting older spaces, and the functional issues of renovating while try to keep an operational office throughout. In this context, and with the future very uncertain, designing for flexibility is critical, avoiding repeated future alterations and costs, and allowing for space to be sub-let or passed on to future tenants more easily when the time comes to move.