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A hyper-local guide to setting up a business in Dubai Marina in 2026: DET mainland licensing, waterfront office and retail space, lifestyle and marine activities.
Dubai Marina is the city's premier waterfront business and lifestyle district with 55 mixed-use towers along a 3km marina. Mainland DET territory, high residential density (over 90,000 residents) and tourist footfall from JBR Beach and The Walk.
The address suits lifestyle, hospitality and B2C businesses targeting residents and tourists.
Realistic 2026 Dubai Marina office benchmarks:
Dubai Marina is Dubai mainland territory, licensed by DET. Even though it is adjacent to JLT (DMCC free zone), Marina itself is mainland and requires a DET trade licence with Ejari-registered office.
AED 110 to AED 200 per sq ft per year depending on tower and view. A 500 sq ft office costs AED 55,000 to AED 100,000 in rent plus roughly AED 7,000 to AED 15,000 in service charges and chiller.
Yes under DET's holiday home or short-term rental activity. You need a DET holiday home licence plus Dubai Economy's Vacation Home / Short-Term Rental permit per property. Breeo handles both for Marina operators.
Yes. The Walk JBR, Marina Walk and multiple tower podiums have ground-floor retail from AED 400 to AED 1,200 per sq ft. Suitable for F&B, boutique and lifestyle retail with heavy footfall.
Yes. Dubai Harbour and Marina Yacht Club offer berths and dedicated marine business plots. Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA) licences marine activities alongside the DET trade licence.
Tell us the activity (F&B, retail, service, marine) and we will shortlist towers, estimate rent and scope the DET licence end to end.
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