Flexible workspace activity in the UK increased in 2025, with CBRE’s flexible office advisory team completing more than 130 transactions totaling about 35,300 square meters. The total number of deals rose 25% year over year and involved more than 90 occupiers across sectors including technology, artificial intelligence, finance and pharmaceuticals.
The activity included new leases, renewals and expansions. Renewals alone made up one quarter of all agreements, indicating that companies are not just testing flex space but choosing to stay, according to Coworking Europe.Â
Corporates Move Beyond Trial Phase
Several transactions highlight the scale of adoption. An investment bank secured roughly 4,200 square meters at WeWork EC3 in London’s financial district. A technology company leased around 640 square meters at Fora in the West End, while an AI firm took more than 1,000 square meters at British Land’s Triton Street development.
The range of industries suggests flexible offices are no longer limited to startups or short term project teams. Large organizations are incorporating them into standard real estate strategy.
Longer Commitments Signal Maturity
Separate CBRE research found average flexible office commitments in London reached about 22 months in mid-2025, the longest average term recorded for the segment.
This points to a change in how companies view flexibility. Instead of purely temporary space, flex offices are becoming a predictable part of occupancy planning, particularly for distributed teams and project based work.
Landlords Reposition Buildings For Hybrid Demand
Property owners are also adapting. British Land and Royal London Asset Management have repositioned One Triton Square as an innovation-focused workspace designed for science and AI tenants, combining flexible offices with specialized facilities.
The strategy mirrors an overall market adjustment: landlords are redesigning buildings to accommodate fluctuating team sizes and shorter planning cycles rather than fixed long-term occupancy.
