Dubai CommerCity: More Than a Free Zone
Dubai CommerCity is a mixed-use development in Dubai, purpose-built for the e-commerce sector. As the first dedicated e-commerce free zone in the Middle East, it brings together Grade A offices, logistics facilities and social spaces within one connected environment.
The masterplan is organised into three complementary clusters: Business, Logistics and Social. Its central organising move is a Wadi-like access route, which connects the offices, parking and public areas across the site.
An 8 metre change in level across the site was used to integrate the parking levels into the landscape, reducing the need for deep excavation. Rather than creating a fully enclosed basement, daylight reaches the parking areas through openings in the development. This lower level allows vehicles to access the site, while the office ground floor above remains largely car-free for pedestrians, landscape and shared activity.
The form of the office buildings was developed around this idea. Rather than using a rectilinear arrangement, the blocks curve and pull apart to improve views and create a network of alleys, nodes and courtyards. The narrow gaps between them form shaded, canyon-like pedestrian spaces, with covered walkways, planting and changing light throughout the day. The softer geometry of the paving and planters continues this language across the public realm.
The Business Cluster comprises 12 office buildings, with 108,000 sqm of leasable space. At ground level, office entrances are connected with cafés, retail and landscaped outdoor spaces. Large internal spaces bring daylight into the buildings, while the four larger office buildings include flexible spaces for lectures, exhibitions and events.
The Social Cluster sits between the offices and logistics facilities. Designed as a flexible setting for exhibitions, food, events, pop-up retail and art, it provides the project’s social focus and brings public life into a development primarily shaped around business and operations.
The Logistics Cluster comprises 84 units, with 68,000 sqm of leasable space. Its regular layout is designed to support a range of e-commerce operations, while rooftop photovoltaic solar panels contribute to clean-energy generation.
Solar, shadow and wind studies informed the project’s orientation and form, helping to maximise shade and ventilation. Trees, landscaped courtyards and water features further support a more comfortable outdoor environment.
Dubai CommerCity has a total gross floor area of 207,000 sqm and 176,000 sqm of leasable space. Infrastructure and parking areas extend across more than 220,000 sqm, providing 4,000 parking spaces.
Phase 1 of Dubai CommerCity has been completed. Phase 2, which includes the office buildings, is currently under construction.
Project details:
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Client: Dubai CommerCity LLC Architecture & Design: P&T Group Engineering: P&T Group Structure Engineer: P&T Group MEP Engineer: P&T Group EOR: P&T Group Façade Consultant: Aurecon
Landscape: Cracknell Landscape Design LLC
Infrastructure Engineer: Jouzy Consulting engineers
Main Contractor: For Business and logistic clusters - Aroma International Building Contracting LLC
Interior Design: Broadway Interiors LLC Traffic Engineer: Reza Mohammadi Consultancy
Fire & Life Safety: Warrington Fire Consulting ME.Ltd Cost Consultant: Rider Levett Bucknall