DMCC, the master developer of Uptown Dubai and international free zone, has confirmed Waitrose as the primary retail anchor for its upcoming commercial development, Uptown Place.

Operated by Spinneys, the upscale grocery brand will occupy a 5,000 square foot store designed as a smaller convenience format. The retail space will cater to office workers, local residents and visitors, focusing on a full food-to-go deli section alongside a curated range of everyday essentials and meal solutions.

The transaction represents the first confirmed retail lease for Uptown Place. The development will deliver over 560,000 square feet of LEED Gold-certified Grade A office space across 36 storeys in two towers. The scheme also includes 82,000 square feet of retail capacity split across 18 individual units for dining and shop outlets.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, said: “Welcoming Waitrose as the first retail anchor at Uptown Place marks a significant step in the development of Uptown Dubai. A thriving business community needs more than premium office space. It requires a broader mix of retail, hospitality, and everyday conveniences, and an established international brand such as Waitrose is an important addition to that mix. With Uptown Place set to take our Grade A office portfolio beyond one million square feet, we are creating a destination that combines the scale, quality, and connectivity businesses look for with the amenities and experiences that make Uptown Dubai a place where people want to live, work, and spend their time.”

Sunil Kumar, CEO of Spinneys, said: “Partnering with DMCC to bring Waitrose to Uptown Dubai marks an important step in expanding our presence across Dubai’s most dynamic mixed-use hubs. Through this partnership with DMCC, we are bringing a carefully tailored convenience concept to one of Dubai’s premier business and lifestyle districts, ensuring that food expertise and convenience are always within reach.”

Uptown Place features floor plans up to 17,600 square feet, four-metre ceiling heights, solar-control glazing, and 1,600 dedicated parking spaces. Owned and managed directly by DMCC within its free zone, the site includes a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym, landscaped green areas, and direct access to Sheikh Zayed Road.

The scheme adds to the wider Uptown Dubai area, which already includes the 495,000 square foot Uptown Tower housing the SO/ Uptown Dubai Hotel & Residences. The agreement follows other recent district updates, including Ellington Properties’ flagship sales centre, The Plaza event programming, and the launch of restaurant Rocambolesco.

Uptown Place is currently signing tenants ahead of its expected opening in the first quarter of 2028.