ESR, an Asia-Pacific real asset owner and manager headquartered in Singapore, is expanding into the Middle East, with plans to establish a long-term logistics real estate and data centre platform across the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ).
Initially focused on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the company has identified a pipeline of over 3 million square metres across logistics and digital infrastructure assets, with a potential end value in excess of US$10 billion.
Economic growth, expanding trade corridors, evolving supply chains and rising institutional investment are driving demand for modern logistics and digital infrastructure across the GCC. At the same time, modern institutional-grade logistics facilities remain in short supply, accounting for less than 20% of total stock in the UAE and less than 10% in Saudi Arabia, driving near-full occupancy of Grade A facilities in these markets.
According to ESR, the expansion represents a natural extension of its Asia-Pacific platform and strategy, building on the group's track record of developing and scaling institutional-grade logistics platforms in high-growth markets.
As economic, commercial and supply chain links between Asia and the Middle East continue to strengthen, the firm says it is well positioned to apply the development capabilities, customer relationships, capital partnerships, and operating expertise that have underpinned its success to support the next phase of growth in the GCC.
“The GCC presents a compelling opportunity for ESR to bring together our development, fund management, and operating capabilities in a region characterized by economic dynamism, sustained infrastructure investment and resilient long-term fundamentals,” says co-founder and co-chief executive officer Stuart Gibson.
“Across our portfolio, we have helped shape logistics markets by delivering institutional-grade facilities that combine operational excellence with human-centric design. As markets evolve, we believe success is defined not only by scale, but by our ability to raise standards for customers and create environments where people and businesses can thrive.”
To support its regional ambitions, ESR has already made senior hires and established an on-the-ground team spanning development, investment, and asset management. The team is leading project origination and delivery, capital deployment, and strategic partnerships across the GCC, with capabilities continuing to expand as the business grows.
