Corporate real estate strategies are transitioning again; more executives now say they plan to add office space in 2026 than did just two years earlier, even as economic uncertainty continues to slow major facility decisions, according to BisNow.
Expansion Intentions Rise Sharply
Seventy percent of real estate leaders at large companies said their 2026 strategy includes adding office space, up from 56% in 2024, according to a survey by Visual Lease.
Among respondents planning to expand:
- 44% expect to grow within their existing office footprints
- 44% plan to use coworking space
- 38% intend to add new office locations
The results point to a preference for flexible growth rather than large, single-site expansions.
Economic Conditions Still Delay Action
Despite higher interest in expansion, caution remains high. Sixty-four percent of respondents said their company is extremely or very likely to delay necessary upgrades or facility changes in the coming year due to economic conditions.
That hesitation reflects ongoing concerns around inflation, policy uncertainty, and uneven growth expectations.
Office Attendance Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels
The push to add space is being driven in part by rising office attendance. Average weekday office visits in November were 32.9% below November 2019 levels, according to Placer.ai — the smallest gap since early 2020. Office attendance increased overall in the third quarter.
The narrowing gap has strengthened the case for reassessing space needs, particularly in markets with consistent return-to-office momentum.
Flexible Space Gains Strategic Importance
Taken together, the data suggests companies are preparing to expand — but selectively. Rather than committing broadly to traditional leases, many are turning to coworking and incremental footprint growth as they balance improving office attendance with continued economic risk heading into 2026.
