What is Área Bruta del Edificio?
Área total de piso medida desde las paredes exteriores del edificio, incluyendo todos los espacios cerrados como áreas comunes, cuartos de máquinas y escaleras.
Description
Gross Building Area (GBA) measures everything within the outer walls of a building, including common corridors, elevator shafts, mechanical rooms, wall thickness, and other non-usable spaces. It is always larger than the net leasable or sellable area.
In Dubai, RERA uses Built-Up Area (BUA) as the standard measurement for property transactions. BUA for an individual unit includes the unit's floor area plus a proportional share of common areas. This is typically 15-30% larger than the net internal area. When comparing properties, always confirm whether quoted sizes are BUA (common in Dubai) or net internal area.
Buyers and sellers in Dubai real estate transactions commonly reference this concept during negotiations and investment analysis.
How to interpret
When comparing Dubai properties on a per-square-foot basis, always confirm which measurement standard is being used. If one listing quotes BUA and another quotes net internal area, the apparent price difference is partly or entirely a measurement artefact. Ask agents to confirm which standard applies before drawing any valuation conclusions.
Contexto del mercado de Dubái
Area measurement inconsistencies are a common source of confusion in Dubai real estate. Developer brochures may quote BUA while competitor listings show net area. RERA's standardization efforts through the Mollak system aim to create consistency. International investors should note that Dubai's BUA is broadly equivalent to Gross Internal Area (GIA) in RICS measurement standards.
Frequently asked questions
The total floor area measured from the exterior walls of a building, including all enclosed spaces such as common areas, mechanical rooms, stairwells, and walls, not just usable tenant space.
Gross Building Area (GBA) measures everything within the outer walls of a building, including common corridors, elevator shafts, mechanical rooms, wall thickness, and other non-usable spaces. It is always larger than the net leasable or sellable area.
When comparing Dubai properties on a per-square-foot basis, always confirm which measurement standard is being used. If one listing quotes BUA and another quotes net internal area, the apparent price difference is partly or entirely a measurement artefact.
Area measurement inconsistencies are a common source of confusion in Dubai real estate. Developer brochures may quote BUA while competitor listings show net area.
Oliva feeds Gross Building Area into a proprietary 6-dimension score that rates eparticularly Dubai project on Financial Value, Market Dynamics, Location, Developer Trust, Risk, Macro Context, and Liquidity. This keeps comparisons consistent across hundreds of listings.
This is typically 15-30% larger than the net internal area. When comparing properties, always confirm whether quoted sizes are BUA (common in Dubai) or net internal area.
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This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Yields, returns, and market data referenced are historical or estimated and are not guaranteed. Capital is at risk. Seek independent professional advice before making investment decisions. Oliva is a licensed Dubai real estate advisor (DLD Broker Card: 92025, RERA BRN: 1573501). Read our Key Risks Disclosure and Disclaimer.