While sites are busy, there are fewer new project awards, with developers and investors becoming more selective amid tighter cost control, delivery risk, and financing pressures.
Key themes shaping the market:
• Capital remains active, but more disciplined and phased
• Delivery certainty is now as critical as ambition
• Early procurement and realistic programming are essential
• MEP-intensive assets (data centres, aviation, healthcare) remain key pressure points
• Refurbishment and repositioning are emerging as core growth sectors, particularly in the UAE.
For developers and project owners, success in 2026 will be shaped on agile capital deployment, practical procurement strategies, and robust delivery planning, balancing momentum with effective risk management.
