Amman: DP World has initiated the subsequent phase of construction for its new global headquarters at Expo City Dubai, a landmark eight-storey building that represents innovation, sustainability, and the future of global trade.
According to Emirates News Agency, a ceremony celebrating the completion of the building’s foundations was held on-site, attended by notable figures including Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority. The event was led by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, alongside Najeeb Mohammed AlAli, Executive Director of Expo City Dubai Authority, and Engineer Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief Development and Delivery Officer of Expo City Dubai.
Scheduled for completion in 2027, DP World’s new headquarters will anchor Expo City as a hub for global connectivity and collaboration, establishing a new benchmark for sustainable workspace design in the region. A standout feature of the headquarters is the 10.45-metre cantilever, one of the boldest in the region, giving the building a floating appearance above the landscape.
The 301,940 sq ft facility will accommodate 850 staff and welcome 2,000 visitors daily. The first two levels of the building will be open to the public, featuring cafes, restaurants, and meeting rooms aimed at fostering dialogue and connection. At the heart of the complex, the Flow Pavilion and fountain from Expo 2020 Dubai will be retained as a central feature, symbolizing DP World’s mission to facilitate trade flow.
The design includes the Middle East’s first fully automated parking facility of this scale, with space for nearly 1,000 vehicles, including 100 electric vehicles. Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy commented on the alignment of Expo City Dubai’s values with DP World’s vision for the future of trade, emphasizing Dubai’s role as a global catalyst for progress and collaboration.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem highlighted that the new headquarters will be a hub where technology, sustainability, and talent converge to shape the trade future. He noted that DP World continues to evolve beyond ports to deliver smarter, greener, and more resilient supply chains worldwide.
In a press release, DP World outlined its journey from its inception at the Harbour Office to its current expansion at Expo City. The company has evolved significantly since 1972, with the establishment of Port Rashid, the inauguration of Jebel Ali Port, and the formation of the Dubai Ports Authority in 1991. DP World was formed in 2005, growing to become the world’s third-largest port operator after acquiring P and O.
The Flow Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, launched in 2021, attracted over 1.2 million visitors and remains a centerpiece in the new headquarters design. Dynamic Design Studio was appointed as the architect for the new headquarters in 2023, with construction advancing to completion of the foundations and the first floor underway by 2025. The new global headquarters is set to open in 2027.