DP World’s new global headquarters rises at Expo City

DUBAI: DP World has begun the next stage of construction on its striking new global headquarters at Expo City Dubai, an eight-storey landmark designed to embody innovation, sustainability and the future of global trade. 

A ceremony marking the completion of foundations was held on site, attended by Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, and led by His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, Najeeb Mohammed AlAli, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Authority, Engineer Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer, Expo City Dubai. The event underscored the partnership between two organisations that reflect Dubai’s ambition and global outlook. 

Scheduled for completion in 2027, DP World’s new home will anchor Expo City as a hub for global connectivity and collaboration, setting a new benchmark for sustainable workspace design in the region. The headquarters’ most striking feature is a 10.45-metre cantilever, one of the boldest in the region, giving the building the appearance of floating above the landscape. 

The 301,940 sq ft facility will accommodate 850 staff and welcome 2,000 visitors daily. The first two levels will be open to the public, with cafes, restaurants and meeting rooms intended to foster dialogue and connection. At the heart of the complex, the Flow Pavilion and fountain from Expo 2020 Dubai will be retained as a permanent centrepiece. Once seen by more than 1.2 million public visitors as a symbol of DP World’s mission: to make trade flow. 

The design also includes the Middle East’s first fully automated parking facility of this scale, housing nearly 1,000 vehicles, including 100 EVs. 

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority, said: “Expo City Dubai was built as a platform for innovation, sustainability, and global connection — values that perfectly align with DP World’s vision for the future of trade. We are delighted to welcome their new headquarters here, which will stand as a symbol of Dubai’s continued role as a catalyst for progress and collaboration worldwide.” 

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: “Marking this construction milestone at Expo City is more than just progress on a new building. It is the beginning of DP World’s next chapter. Our headquarters will be a place where technology, sustainability, and talent come together to shape the future of trade. Just as Dubai has reinvented itself time and again, DP World continues to evolve beyond ports to deliver smarter, greener, and more resilient supply chains for our customers and communities worldwide.” 

KEY FEATURES FOR A HUB TO LEAD GLOBAL TRADE

• Plot & Scale: 18,013.63 sqm site; footprint of 16,220 sqm; 38 m tall.
• Design & Structure: 10.45m cantilever; interiors optimized for natural light with energy efficient louvers systems to control the solar gain.
• Parking: Automated facility for nearly 1,000 vehicles, including 100 EVs, the first of its kind in the Middle East.
• Sustainability: Targeting LEED Platinum, Fitwel (another regional first) and Parksmart certification; solar panels for renewable energy; water condensation recovery from A/C systems to irrigate landscaping.
• SMART Solutions: Integrated digital workplace, visitor management, and energy management systems.

FROM HARBOUR OFFICE TO EXPO CITY

• 1972: Port Rashid becomes Dubai’s first commercial seaport.
• 1976: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum issues a decree to construct a brand-new port at Jebel Ali.
• 1978: Port Rashid rapidly expands to 35 berths, serving as a gateway for cargo, vehicles and passengers.
• 1979: Jebel Ali Port officially inaugurated by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, with Queen Elizabeth II in attendance.
• 1985: Jebel Ali Free Zone established by Emiri decree under the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority.
• 1990: Port Rashid Authority was established by Emiri decree.
• 1991: Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) founded to manage both Port Rashid and Jebel Ali Port, operating from a harbour office at Port Rashid.
• 1998: Jafza expands mid-rise office buildings, including Jafza 14, 15, 16, and 17.
• 1999: Dubai Ports International formed to manage overseas operations.
• 2005: DP World created; headquarters established in Jebel Ali Free Zone.
• 2006: DP World acquires P&O, becoming the world’s 3rd largest port operator.
• 2015: Jafza integrated into DP World.
• 2021: DP World launches Flow Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. More than 1.2 million people visit to see the iconic fountain.
• 2023: DP World appoints DEC Dynamic Design Studio as architect for new Expo City head office.
• 2025: Construction advances, foundations completed, and first floor underway.
• 2027: New global headquarters to open at Expo City.