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Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market

Saudi Arabia commercial real estate market, valued at USD 67 Bn, is expanding due to Vision 2030 initiatives, foreign investments, and urbanization, focusing on key cities like Riyadh and Jeddah.

Region:Middle East

Author(s):Shubham

Product Code:KRAD0673

Pages:95

Published On:August 2025

About the Report

Base Year 2024

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Overview

  • The Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market is valued at approximately USD 67 billion, based on a five-year historical analysis, reflecting robust growth across office, retail, logistics/industrial, hospitality, and mixed-use assets . This growth is primarily driven by the country's ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil . Increased foreign investment, urbanization, and large-scale infrastructure and giga-project development (e.g., NEOM, Red Sea, Qiddiya) have also contributed significantly to market expansion .
  • Key cities dominating the market include Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Riyadh, as the capital, is a hub for government and corporate activities; Jeddah serves as a commercial gateway to the Red Sea with strong port-led logistics; and Dammam, within the Eastern Province, benefits from industrial growth and logistics connectivity, including Special Economic Zones and purpose-built industrial cities that attract investment and support higher industrial rents and occupier demand .
  • In 2023, the Saudi government advanced regulatory measures to enhance transparency and investment facilitation in real estate as part of Vision 2030, alongside ongoing reforms that include digitization of land registries and strengthened reporting, which support more transparent transaction tracking and ownership verification across the sector .
Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Size

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Segmentation

By Type:The commercial real estate market in Saudi Arabia can be segmented into various types, including office spaces, retail, industrial and logistics, mixed-use developments, hospitality, data centers, healthcare, and education. Each of these segments caters to different occupier needs and investment profiles, with demand supported by population growth, corporate expansions, tourism initiatives, and e-commerce-driven logistics requirements .

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market segmentation by Type.

By End-User:The end-user segmentation of the commercial real estate market includes multinationals and large corporates, government and giga-projects, retailers and F&B operators, 3PLs and e-commerce operators, and investors and asset managers. Each end-user category has distinct requirements and preferences, influencing the types of commercial properties being developed and leased—such as Grade A office demand from corporates, destination retail/hospitality aligned to tourism initiatives, and modern logistics facilities for 3PLs and e-commerce .

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market segmentation by End-User.

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Competitive Landscape

The Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market is characterized by a dynamic mix of regional and international players. Leading participants such as Saudi Real Estate Company (Al Akaria), ROSHN Group (PIF), Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company, Jabal Omar Development Company, Emaar The Economic City (KAEC), Red Sea Global, Diriyah Company, Arabian Centres Company (Cenomi Centers), Savola Group – Retail Real Estate (Panda centers), SEDCO Holding – Real Estate, Al Rajhi Capital – REITs and Real Estate Investments, Jadwa Investment – Real Estate Funds, Riyad Capital – Riyad REIT, Derayah REIT, Alinma Investment – Alinma REIT, Alkhabeer Capital – Alkhabeer REIT, Makkah Construction & Development Company, Taiba Investments Company, Knowledge Economic City (KEC), Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. – Industrial Real Estate (JV holdings), Ajdan Real Estate Development Company, Rafal Real Estate Development Company, Hamat Holding, Wadi Al Safa Holding – Real Estate, CBRE Saudi Arabia, JLL Saudi Arabia, Colliers Saudi Arabia, Knight Frank Saudi Arabia, Cushman & Wakefield Echinox Saudi Operations, Savills Saudi Arabia contribute to innovation, geographic expansion, and service delivery in this space.

Saudi Real Estate Company (Al Akaria)

1976

Riyadh

ROSHN Group (PIF)

2020

Riyadh

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company

1994

Riyadh

Jabal Omar Development Company

2006

Makkah

Emaar The Economic City (KAEC)

2006

King Abdullah Economic City

Company

Establishment Year

Headquarters

Portfolio Size (GLA, sqm)

Occupancy Rate (%)

Average Achieved Rent (SAR/sqm/month) by Asset Type

Lease Tenor (Weighted Average Lease Expiry, years)

Net Operating Income (NOI) and NOI Margin (%)

Funds From Operations (FFO) / Adjusted FFO Growth (%)

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Industry Analysis

Growth Drivers

  • Economic Diversification Initiatives:Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to reduce oil dependency, targeting a 50% contribution from non-oil sectors in the future. The government allocated approximately SAR 1.5 trillion (USD 400 billion) for various projects, including commercial real estate. This initiative is expected to create over 1.8 million jobs, stimulating demand for office and retail spaces, thus driving growth in the commercial real estate sector significantly.
  • Urbanization and Population Growth:The urban population in Saudi Arabia is projected to reach 38 million in the future, up from 34 million previously. This rapid urbanization, coupled with a population growth rate of 1.7% annually, is driving demand for commercial properties. The increasing need for retail, office, and mixed-use developments in urban areas is expected to enhance the commercial real estate market's attractiveness and viability.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Inflows:In the future, Saudi Arabia attracted approximately USD 22 billion in FDI, a 15% increase from the previous year. The government’s efforts to create a favorable investment climate, including regulatory reforms and incentives, are expected to further boost FDI inflows. This influx is likely to enhance the commercial real estate sector, as foreign investors seek opportunities in the growing market, particularly in urban centers.

Market Challenges

  • Regulatory Compliance Issues:The commercial real estate sector in Saudi Arabia faces significant regulatory compliance challenges, including complex zoning laws and lengthy approval processes. In the future, over 35% of real estate projects experienced delays due to regulatory hurdles. These compliance issues can deter potential investors and slow down project timelines, impacting overall market growth and investor confidence.
  • Market Volatility and Economic Fluctuations:The Saudi economy is heavily influenced by oil prices, which can lead to market volatility. In the future, oil prices fluctuated between USD 75 and USD 95 per barrel, affecting government spending on infrastructure and real estate projects. This economic uncertainty can lead to cautious investment behavior, impacting the commercial real estate market's stability and growth potential.

Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Future Outlook

The Saudi commercial real estate market is poised for significant transformation driven by ongoing economic diversification and urbanization efforts. As the government continues to invest in infrastructure and smart city initiatives, demand for modern commercial spaces is expected to rise. Additionally, the integration of technology in real estate operations will enhance efficiency and attract new investors. The focus on sustainability will further shape the market, aligning with global trends and consumer preferences for eco-friendly developments.

Market Opportunities

  • Growth in E-commerce and Logistics:The e-commerce sector in Saudi Arabia is projected to reach USD 15 billion in the future, driving demand for logistics and warehousing spaces. This growth presents a significant opportunity for commercial real estate developers to invest in distribution centers and fulfillment hubs, catering to the increasing needs of online retailers and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
  • Development of Smart Cities:The Saudi government plans to invest over USD 600 billion in smart city projects, such as NEOM and the Red Sea Project. These developments will create a demand for innovative commercial spaces that integrate technology and sustainability. Investors can capitalize on this trend by developing properties that meet the needs of modern businesses and residents in these smart cities.

Scope of the Report

SegmentSub-Segments
By Type

Office (Grade A, Grade B)

Retail (Malls, Community Retail, High Street)

Industrial & Logistics (Warehouses, Last-mile, Cold Storage)

Mixed-Use Developments

Hospitality (Hotels, Serviced Apartments)

Data Centers & Business Parks

Healthcare (Clinics, Private Hospitals)

Education (Private Schools, Training Centers)

By End-User

Multinationals & Large Corporates

Government & Giga-Projects (NEOM, Qiddiya, Diriyah, ROSHN)

Retailers & F&B Operators

PLs & E-commerce Operators

Investors & Asset Managers (REITs, Funds, Family Offices)

By Investment Source

Domestic Institutional (PIF, REITs, Banks)

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)

Government Programs & Development Funds

By Property Class

Class A

Class B

Class C

By Location

Riyadh

Jeddah

Dammam/Khobar (Eastern Province)

Makkah & Madinah

Emerging Cities (e.g., Al-Ula, Abha, Tabuk)

By Lease Type

Long-term (5–10 years)

Short-term (?3 years)

Flexible/Managed (Coworking, Serviced Offices)

By Development Stage

Pre-Construction

Under Construction

Completed & Stabilized

Key Target Audience

Investors and Venture Capitalist Firms

Government and Regulatory Bodies (e.g., Ministry of Housing, Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority)

Real Estate Developers

Property Management Companies

Construction Firms

Financial Institutions

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Urban Planning Authorities

Players Mentioned in the Report:

Saudi Real Estate Company (Al Akaria)

ROSHN Group (PIF)

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company

Jabal Omar Development Company

Emaar The Economic City (KAEC)

Red Sea Global

Diriyah Company

Arabian Centres Company (Cenomi Centers)

Savola Group Retail Real Estate (Panda centers)

SEDCO Holding Real Estate

Al Rajhi Capital REITs and Real Estate Investments

Jadwa Investment Real Estate Funds

Riyad Capital Riyad REIT

Derayah REIT

Alinma Investment Alinma REIT

Alkhabeer Capital Alkhabeer REIT

Makkah Construction & Development Company

Taiba Investments Company

Knowledge Economic City (KEC)

Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. Industrial Real Estate (JV holdings)

Ajdan Real Estate Development Company

Rafal Real Estate Development Company

Hamat Holding

Wadi Al Safa Holding Real Estate

CBRE Saudi Arabia

JLL Saudi Arabia

Colliers Saudi Arabia

Knight Frank Saudi Arabia

Cushman & Wakefield Echinox Saudi Operations

Savills Saudi Arabia

Table of Contents

Market Assessment Phase

1. Executive Summary and Approach


2. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Overview

2.1 Key Insights and Strategic Recommendations

2.2 Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Overview

2.3 Definition and Scope

2.4 Evolution of Market Ecosystem

2.5 Timeline of Key Regulatory Milestones

2.6 Value Chain & Stakeholder Mapping

2.7 Business Cycle Analysis

2.8 Policy & Incentive Landscape


3. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Analysis

3.1 Growth Drivers

3.1.1 Economic Diversification Initiatives
3.1.2 Urbanization and Population Growth
3.1.3 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Inflows
3.1.4 Infrastructure Development Projects

3.2 Market Challenges

3.2.1 Regulatory Compliance Issues
3.2.2 Market Volatility and Economic Fluctuations
3.2.3 Limited Access to Financing
3.2.4 Competition from Alternative Investments

3.3 Market Opportunities

3.3.1 Growth in E-commerce and Logistics
3.3.2 Development of Smart Cities
3.3.3 Increasing Demand for Green Buildings
3.3.4 Expansion of Tourism and Hospitality Sector

3.4 Market Trends

3.4.1 Rise of Co-working Spaces
3.4.2 Integration of Technology in Real Estate
3.4.3 Shift Towards Sustainable Development
3.4.4 Increasing Focus on Mixed-Use Developments

3.5 Government Regulation

3.5.1 Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Framework
3.5.2 Foreign Ownership Regulations
3.5.3 Zoning and Land Use Policies
3.5.4 Tax Incentives for Real Estate Development

4. SWOT Analysis


5. Stakeholder Analysis


6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis


7. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Market Size, 2019-2024

7.1 By Value

7.2 By Volume

7.3 By Average Selling Price


8. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Segmentation

8.1 By Type

8.1.1 Office (Grade A, Grade B)
8.1.2 Retail (Malls, Community Retail, High Street)
8.1.3 Industrial & Logistics (Warehouses, Last-mile, Cold Storage)
8.1.4 Mixed-Use Developments
8.1.5 Hospitality (Hotels, Serviced Apartments)
8.1.6 Data Centers & Business Parks
8.1.7 Healthcare (Clinics, Private Hospitals)
8.1.8 Education (Private Schools, Training Centers)

8.2 By End-User

8.2.1 Multinationals & Large Corporates
8.2.2 Government & Giga-Projects (NEOM, Qiddiya, Diriyah, ROSHN)
8.2.3 Retailers & F&B Operators
8.2.4 3PLs & E-commerce Operators
8.2.5 Investors & Asset Managers (REITs, Funds, Family Offices)

8.3 By Investment Source

8.3.1 Domestic Institutional (PIF, REITs, Banks)
8.3.2 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
8.3.3 Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
8.3.4 Government Programs & Development Funds

8.4 By Property Class

8.4.1 Class A
8.4.2 Class B
8.4.3 Class C

8.5 By Location

8.5.1 Riyadh
8.5.2 Jeddah
8.5.3 Dammam/Khobar (Eastern Province)
8.5.4 Makkah & Madinah
8.5.5 Emerging Cities (e.g., Al-Ula, Abha, Tabuk)

8.6 By Lease Type

8.6.1 Long-term (5–10 years)
8.6.2 Short-term (?3 years)
8.6.3 Flexible/Managed (Coworking, Serviced Offices)

8.7 By Development Stage

8.7.1 Pre-Construction
8.7.2 Under Construction
8.7.3 Completed & Stabilized

9. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Competitive Analysis

9.1 Market Share of Key Players

9.2 Cross Comparison of Key Players

9.2.1 Company Name
9.2.2 Portfolio Size (GLA, sqm)
9.2.3 Occupancy Rate (%)
9.2.4 Average Achieved Rent (SAR/sqm/month) by Asset Type
9.2.5 Lease Tenor (Weighted Average Lease Expiry, years)
9.2.6 Net Operating Income (NOI) and NOI Margin (%)
9.2.7 Funds From Operations (FFO) / Adjusted FFO Growth (%)
9.2.8 Same-Property Net Rental Growth (%)
9.2.9 Development Pipeline (GLA under construction, sqm)
9.2.10 Geographic Exposure (Riyadh/Jeddah/Eastern Province, % of GLA)
9.2.11 Asset Mix (% Office/Retail/Industrial/Hospitality/Other)
9.2.12 Capitalization Rate / Yield by Asset Class (%)
9.2.13 Leverage (LTV %) and Interest Coverage (x)
9.2.14 REIT/Listed vs Private Ownership Status
9.2.15 ESG Credentials (Green-certified GLA, energy intensity kWh/sqm)

9.3 SWOT Analysis of Top Players

9.4 Pricing Analysis

9.5 Detailed Profile of Major Companies

9.5.1 Saudi Real Estate Company (Al Akaria)
9.5.2 ROSHN Group (PIF)
9.5.3 Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company
9.5.4 Jabal Omar Development Company
9.5.5 Emaar The Economic City (KAEC)
9.5.6 Red Sea Global
9.5.7 Diriyah Company
9.5.8 Arabian Centres Company (Cenomi Centers)
9.5.9 Savola Group – Retail Real Estate (Panda centers)
9.5.10 SEDCO Holding – Real Estate
9.5.11 Al Rajhi Capital – REITs and Real Estate Investments
9.5.12 Jadwa Investment – Real Estate Funds
9.5.13 Riyad Capital – Riyad REIT
9.5.14 Derayah REIT
9.5.15 Alinma Investment – Alinma REIT
9.5.16 Alkhabeer Capital – Alkhabeer REIT
9.5.17 Makkah Construction & Development Company
9.5.18 Taiba Investments Company
9.5.19 Knowledge Economic City (KEC)
9.5.20 Saudi Arabian Amiantit Co. – Industrial Real Estate (JV holdings)
9.5.21 Ajdan Real Estate Development Company
9.5.22 Rafal Real Estate Development Company
9.5.23 Hamat Holding
9.5.24 Wadi Al Safa Holding – Real Estate
9.5.25 CBRE Saudi Arabia
9.5.26 JLL Saudi Arabia
9.5.27 Colliers Saudi Arabia
9.5.28 Knight Frank Saudi Arabia
9.5.29 Cushman & Wakefield Echinox Saudi Operations
9.5.30 Savills Saudi Arabia

10. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market End-User Analysis

10.1 Procurement Behavior of Key Ministries

10.1.1 Ministry of Housing
10.1.2 Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs
10.1.3 Ministry of Finance

10.2 Corporate Spend on Infrastructure & Energy

10.2.1 Corporate Investments in Real Estate
10.2.2 Budget Allocations for Infrastructure Projects
10.2.3 Trends in Corporate Real Estate Spending

10.3 Pain Point Analysis by End-User Category

10.3.1 Cost of Leasing
10.3.2 Availability of Suitable Properties
10.3.3 Regulatory Hurdles

10.4 User Readiness for Adoption

10.4.1 Awareness of Market Trends
10.4.2 Willingness to Invest in New Developments
10.4.3 Adoption of Technology in Real Estate

10.5 Post-Deployment ROI and Use Case Expansion

10.5.1 Evaluation of Investment Returns
10.5.2 Expansion into New Markets
10.5.3 Long-term Sustainability of Investments

11. Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market Future Size, 2025-2030

11.1 By Value

11.2 By Volume

11.3 By Average Selling Price


Go-To-Market Strategy Phase

1. Whitespace Analysis + Business Model Canvas

1.1 Market Gaps Identification

1.2 Business Model Development

1.3 Value Proposition Analysis

1.4 Competitive Landscape Overview


2. Marketing and Positioning Recommendations

2.1 Branding Strategies

2.2 Product USPs


3. Distribution Plan

3.1 Urban Retail vs Rural NGO Tie-ups


4. Channel & Pricing Gaps

4.1 Underserved Routes

4.2 Pricing Bands


5. Unmet Demand & Latent Needs

5.1 Category Gaps

5.2 Consumer Segments


6. Customer Relationship

6.1 Loyalty Programs

6.2 After-sales Service


7. Value Proposition

7.1 Sustainability

7.2 Integrated Supply Chains


8. Key Activities

8.1 Regulatory Compliance

8.2 Branding

8.3 Distribution Setup


9. Entry Strategy Evaluation

9.1 Domestic Market Entry Strategy

9.1.1 Product Mix
9.1.2 Pricing Band
9.1.3 Packaging

9.2 Export Entry Strategy

9.2.1 Target Countries
9.2.2 Compliance Roadmap

10. Entry Mode Assessment

10.1 Joint Ventures

10.2 Greenfield Investments

10.3 Mergers & Acquisitions

10.4 Distributor Model


11. Capital and Timeline Estimation

11.1 Capital Requirements

11.2 Timelines


12. Control vs Risk Trade-Off

12.1 Ownership vs Partnerships


13. Profitability Outlook

13.1 Breakeven Analysis

13.2 Long-term Sustainability


14. Potential Partner List

14.1 Distributors

14.2 Joint Ventures

14.3 Acquisition Targets


15. Execution Roadmap

15.1 Phased Plan for Market Entry

15.1.1 Market Setup
15.1.2 Market Entry
15.1.3 Growth Acceleration
15.1.4 Scale & Stabilize

15.2 Key Activities and Milestones

15.2.1 Activity Planning
15.2.2 Milestone Tracking

Research Methodology

ApproachModellingSample

Phase 1: Approach1

Desk Research

  • Analysis of government publications and reports on real estate regulations and policies in Saudi Arabia
  • Review of market reports from real estate consultancy firms focusing on commercial property trends
  • Examination of economic indicators and demographic data from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority and other relevant institutions

Primary Research

  • Interviews with real estate developers and property managers to gather insights on market dynamics
  • Surveys targeting commercial tenants to understand leasing preferences and market demands
  • Focus groups with industry experts and analysts to discuss future trends and challenges in the commercial real estate sector

Validation & Triangulation

  • Cross-validation of findings through comparison with historical data and market forecasts
  • Triangulation of insights from primary interviews with secondary data sources to ensure consistency
  • Sanity checks conducted through expert panel reviews to validate assumptions and conclusions

Phase 2: Market Size Estimation1

Top-down Assessment

  • Estimation of total addressable market based on national GDP growth and urbanization rates
  • Segmentation of the market by property type, including office, retail, and industrial spaces
  • Incorporation of government initiatives aimed at boosting foreign investment in commercial real estate

Bottom-up Modeling

  • Collection of data on rental rates and occupancy levels from leading commercial properties
  • Estimation of market size based on square footage and average lease terms across different sectors
  • Analysis of investment flows into commercial real estate from both domestic and international investors

Forecasting & Scenario Analysis

  • Development of predictive models using historical growth rates and economic indicators
  • Scenario analysis based on potential regulatory changes and shifts in consumer behavior
  • Creation of multiple forecasts (baseline, optimistic, and pessimistic) to account for market volatility

Phase 3: CATI Sample Composition1

Scope Item/SegmentSample SizeTarget Respondent Profiles
Office Space Leasing120Property Managers, Corporate Real Estate Executives
Retail Space Demand100Retail Managers, Franchise Owners
Industrial Property Trends80Logistics Managers, Supply Chain Directors
Investment in Commercial Real Estate70Real Estate Investors, Financial Analysts
Market Entry Strategies for Foreign Investors60International Business Development Managers, Legal Advisors

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current value of the Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market?

The Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market is valued at approximately USD 67 billion, reflecting significant growth across various sectors, including office, retail, logistics, hospitality, and mixed-use assets, driven by the Vision 2030 initiative and increased foreign investment.

What are the key growth drivers of the Saudi Arabia Commercial Real Estate Market?

Which cities are the main hubs for commercial real estate in Saudi Arabia?

How is the Saudi government enhancing transparency in the real estate sector?

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