UAE complex The Galleries continues expansion

Dubai’s fastest growing commercial hub The Galleries continued its expansion project into Q3, adding further serviced offices and a business lounge to cater for increasing demand from the banking sector.

Aya Business Centres, who occupy 105,000 sq ft of space in the complex, opened the first of its serviced offices, while developer limitless has begun fitting out its newly built business lounge. The lounge is set to comprise of a boardroom, meeting rooms, web access points, relaxation areas, café and terrace, surrounded by The Galleries’ 215,000 sq ft landscaped gardens.

Bahaa Abouhatab, Head of UAE Projects for Limitless, said: "Our new facilities are even more reason to join The Galleries' ever-growing community.

“The Limitless Business Lounge will be a convenient, affordable location for meetings and corporate events for our commercial tenants and other companies seeking an alternative venue to those offered by hotels."

The Galleries’ dedicated banking hub also continued its expansion in to Q3, with Arab Bank leasing 4,400 sq ft of space to the retail sector. The development is now home to six international banks, who occupy a combined 16,500 sq ft, with further financial institutions currently in discussions to take up residency.

The Galleries is an eight building development of mixed office and retail capacity in Downtown Jebel Ali, including four 789,000 sq ft towers of A-grade office space – 550,000 sq ft of which is already occupied – and 68,000 sq ft of retail space, with future plans including a residential development.

The complex is part of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ), which allows international companies special privileges such as a 15 year exemption from corporate tax, zero import, export or personal income tax, un-restricted currency and straightforward labour recruitment procedures. JAFZ is currently home to around 5,500 companies from 120 countries worldwide.