From commercial office to educational excellence

When De Montfort University (DMU), needed a new campus in Dubai, they turned to JLL's education experts for assistance. It was essential that this campus provide a variety of learning experiences, be digitally enabled, and situated in a well-connected, centrally located area.

With the new site identified, JLL assembled an integrated team to support DMU throughout the project lifecycle. This began with our leasing team securing a five-story commercial building in Internet City—a hub for technology, business, and innovation—providing students access to a professional ecosystem.

Following lease commencement, our interior design teamcollaborated with the client to develop the design concept, working closely with our engineering team to reconfigure existing office spaces into a learning hub.

Our project management and cost management teams led the physical transformation. This involved extensive structural work and redistribution of power to upgrade the aging infrastructure to modern standards and direct more energy to higher-demand floors. They managed the project from pre-contract through construction, fitout, and handover to ensure it stayed on track, on budget, and to the required quality.

Meanwhile, our property asset management team advised on the property and facility management strategy and implementation plan.

The project was strategically delivered in phases, enabling DMU to commence academic operations on completed floors while construction seamlessly progressed on other levels, ensuring uninterrupted learning experience throughout the transition period.

The new campus showcases cutting-edge educational spaces specifically designed to provide a balance of theoretical knowledge and applied learning, integrated with advanced smart technology.This comprehensive learning ecosystem features a financial trading room that simulates live market conditions, a cyber security lab designed to train students for emerging roles in digital defence, a law courtroom for mock trials, psychology and engineering labs, and design studios aimed at nurturing creative and technical talent.

Complementing these purpose-built academic facilities, the space includes a cafeteria that flows onto beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces and a modern library offering both collaborative and quiet study environments.

As DMU is a global leader in advancing United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, green solutions were incorporated into the design, with intelligent sensor-controlled LED lighting that optimises energy usage while natural daylight is maximised throughout the spaces. High-efficiency mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems further reduce the environmental footprint. The project emphasised responsible sourcing, with materials including finishes, custom joinery, and floor coverings procured locally to minimise carbon impact while supporting regional suppliers.

JLL transformed DMU's vision into reality by serving as a single point of contact with comprehensive project delivery expertise across multiple disciplines. Our team reimagined conventional office spaces into dynamic learning environments while adhering to aggressive timelines, budget parameters, and quality standards.

By strategically repurposing an existing building through carefully phased delivery, the project achieved operational status significantly faster than new construction would have allowed. This adaptive reuse approach simultaneously benefited the property owner by converting an aging commercial asset into a premium, long-term educational facility with modernised systems and enhanced sustainability features—a strategic investment that not only future-proofs the building but also contributes to urban renewal while substantially reducing the carbon footprint compared to new construction.

Beyond preparing future-ready students, DMU's new campus plays a pivotal role in the UAE's Education 2033 initiative, which aims to establish the country as a global hub for innovation and learning.