Commercial real estate in Almaty: choosing premises by the numbers

I find premises for shops, cafes, offices and franchises and check whether the site will make money before you sign. At Kaspi Bank I assessed about 140 sites; 15 stores opened at locations I chose, and they turned profitable in about 2 years against a forecast of 5–7.

How to choose a retail or office space in Almaty

A good location shows up in the numbers before it shows up on a sign. I start with your business: who your customer is, what the average ticket is, how many customers a day you need to break even. Then I look for a location that fits those numbers.

Whether you rent or buy, along with the premises I show you the calculation: how many people walk past, how many of them are your audience and when the investment pays back.

My track record: Kaspi, Magnum and Salam Bro

Finding premises for Kaspi Bank and Magnum

Since 2022 I have worked as a development manager at Kaspi Bank, finding premises for branches and projects, including Magnum stores. Over that time I have gone through about 140 sites. Fifteen stores opened. The payback forecast was 5–7 years, and they became profitable in about 2.

Salam Bro burger restaurant in Kaskelen

During the pandemic I invested in the Salam Bro burger chain and chose a location in Kaskelen myself: on the main square, next to the only park in the area, with good lease terms. It made about 4 million ₸ net per month. I sold my share at the peak, when the numbers were at their best.

What I analyze in a location and a property

My order is this: first competitors, then housing density, meaning how many apartments and roughly how many people live within 500 metres. Then the customer's path: how people walk, which offices, hotels and schools are nearby, where the intersections and parking are. On top of that I use a few tools of my own that I keep to myself. By my estimate, this kind of forecast is right in about 90% of cases.

Foot traffic on different days and at different hours, counted on site by me
Road junctions, bus stops, ease of access and parking
The average ticket in the area and how much people nearby can spend
Demand and competitors: who already operates nearby and what is missing
The registered use of the premises and whether it can be changed for your business
Lease terms: rent, indexation, length, rent-free period, purchase option
Government restrictions: sanitary rules, requirements for food service, restricted zones
Technical side: electrical capacity, water and sewage, ventilation, ceiling height, shop windows

Buy or lease commercial property in Almaty

Leasing suits a format you are still testing or a business that needs flexibility. Buying makes sense if you are sure of the location for years ahead, or if you want an asset with a tenant for passive income.

For an investor, a ready unit with a reliable tenant is often more attractive than an apartment: leases run longer and rents are indexed. There is almost no fresh public data on commercial rents and yields in Almaty for 2026, so I rely on actual deals and run the numbers for each property separately.

Can a foreigner buy commercial property in Kazakhstan

According to several sources, foreigners can buy offices, shops and warehouses without a residence permit, unlike housing. That makes it a convenient way into the market for people starting a business in Almaty.

Before the deal I check the procedure and the document package for your case with a notary. One more point: when you sell commercial property, individual income tax (IPN) is always due. There is no exemption for long ownership as there is for housing.

Who this service is for

Entrepreneurs opening a new location or moving an existing one. Franchise owners who need several locations to one standard. Investors who want to buy premises with a tenant in place or to rent out.

This is general information. Legal and tax details depend on your status, so before any deal I confirm them with a notary and a lawyer.

I'll check your location

Send me an address or your business format. I'll tell you what needs to be calculated and suggest premises that fit your average ticket.

Message on WhatsApp

Questions and answers

How do I know a location for a shop or cafe will be profitable?

Work out the foot traffic, the share of it that is your audience, the average ticket and the rent. If the site pays back in a reasonable time on realistic revenue, it's worth taking. I do this calculation before you sign.

Can a foreigner buy an office or shop in Almaty without a residence permit?

According to several sources, foreigners buy non-residential property without a residence permit. I always check the registration procedure for the specific deal with a notary.

What taxes apply when selling commercial property in Kazakhstan?

A resident individual pays individual income tax (IPN) on the gain regardless of how long they owned the property: 10%, and 15% on the amount above 8,500 MRP (the monthly calculation index used for taxes and fees). Companies follow different rules, best confirmed with an accountant.

What should I check in a commercial lease in Almaty?

The rent and how it is indexed, the term and early termination conditions, who pays for repairs and utilities, and a rent-free period for fit-out. I also check that the registered use of the premises allows your type of business.

Do you work with franchises?

Yes. For a franchise I find locations to the chain's standard: floor area, shop windows, electrical capacity, foot traffic. If you need several sites, I compare them with the same method.

How much does it cost to find a commercial property?

The commission starts at 1% of the deal price. For leases we agree terms separately depending on the amount of work.

What are commercial property yields in Almaty?

There is almost no fresh public data on 2026 rents, so general figures are often misleading. I calculate the yield for the specific property and tenant.