Flex Spaces Fuel Surge in Office Leasing Across India

India's office leasing surges as flex spaces hit 12.7% of 2024 volumes, driven by growing demand for adaptable solutions.

Office leasing in India is experiencing a significant increase as flex spaces achieve their highest contribution to overall leasing volumes, according to Business Standard. In the first six months of 2024, the share of flex spaces in total office leasing reached an unprecedented 12.7%, compared to just 10.2% in 2019.

This trend underscores a growing preference among occupiers for more adaptable and customizable office solutions.

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The demand for flexible office spaces has exploded since the onset of the pandemic, driven by both domestic and international companies seeking more versatile leasing arrangements. The number of seats taken by occupiers in the top eight Indian cities surged from 85,234 in 2021 to an impressive 155,000 in 2023. This growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing down.

Market analysis firms Crisil and Cushman & Wakefield highlight that the appeal of flex spaces lies in their ability to offer customizable workspaces and flexible lease terms.

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Additionally, the supply side has kept pace; the total footprint of flex space operators in India has doubled over the past five years. In 2022 and 2023, these footprints expanded at annual growth rates of 23% and 18%, respectively.

Flex space operators are capitalizing on this burgeoning market. Industry leaders like IndiQube and WeWork India have ambitious expansion plans, aiming to add 1.5 million square feet of flexible office space in 2024-25. Similarly, 315Work Avenue plans to double its portfolio to 4 million square feet within 18 months, according to Business Standard.

“With the first half of 2024 already accounting for 70% of last year’s total flex-space demand, we anticipate a potential record-breaking year for flex seat leasing,” said Ramita Arora, Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield and Head of Flex in India.

The rise of flex spaces is not just a temporary trend but signifies a fundamental transformation in the future of work. As more companies and startups seek adaptable leasing options, office real estate in India is poised for substantial growth.

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