Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
The global flexible office market entered 2026 in a phase of quiet strength, with stable occupancy and rising revenue signaling its evolution from experimental coworking to core workplace infrastructure. Analysts estimate the market at $45–50 billion in 2025, with forecasts suggesting it could reach $190–200 billion by 2034. This represents an annual growth rate of 15–17%, driven by hybrid work, cost flexibility, and demand for optionality.
Managed and Turnkey Flex Lead Expansion
The fastest-growing segment is managed and turnkey flex, catering to enterprises seeking branded, private space on flexible terms. Landlords are increasingly developing their own flex brands, while consolidation favors larger, proven operators over smaller providers. In the UK, managed office supply is growing more than twice as fast as overall flex inventory, and projections suggest landlord-operated flex space could triple by 2030, according to a new report from OfficeRnD.Â
Regional Market Variations
Growth is not uniform across regions:
- Americas: Desk occupancy remains stable at 70–72%, though revenue per desk dipped slightly in some markets.
- EMEA & UKI: Revenue occupancy climbed to 75.6%, with revenue per available desk up €18.50 above 2024 levels, reflecting strong corporate demand.
- APAC: Revenue occupancy and RevPAD fell below 2024 levels, indicating localized oversupply or pricing pressure.
Operators are increasingly approaching flex as a portfolio strategy, selectively expanding, repositioning, or exiting markets based on performance data.
Well-Being and Community Drive Retention
Coworking and flex spaces are valued not only for convenience but also for well-being, professional identity, and networking opportunities. Research shows members report higher productivity and mental health compared with fully remote workers. Operators who prioritize community management, hospitality, and curated programming see higher retention and engagement, particularly as spaces consolidate and generic flex offerings proliferate.
Flex as Building-Wide Infrastructure
Flexible offices are increasingly shaping entire buildings rather than just individual floors. Operators extend services, booking systems, and amenities to all tenants, creating additional revenue opportunities and increasing property appeal. Asset owners are also launching flex brands to modernize their portfolios, emphasizing the need for operators to demonstrate strategic value beyond space management.
Technology and AI Enable Operational Efficiency
Integrated tech platforms and AI are moving from innovation to baseline expectations in 2026. Operators are using AI-assisted workflows for member support, billing, and automated reporting, while dynamic pricing adjusts rates based on demand patterns. Data-driven management—including occupancy, revenue per desk, and member engagement metrics—has become a key differentiator for operators making informed portfolio decisions.
Operators Must Focus on Strategy, Discipline, and Purpose
The operators poised to succeed in 2026 share three core traits:
- Clear positioning: serving specific members, geographies, or niches rather than trying to appeal to everyone.
- Financial and partnership discipline: optimizing pricing, leveraging joint ventures, and aligning with landlords strategically.
- Connected, data-informed operations: integrating booking, billing, and AI tools to improve efficiency and support people, not replace them.
As flexible offices mature, the next decade will reward operators who treat flex as infrastructure, community as a strategic asset, and technology as an enabler, building sustainable, resilient, and scalable businesses.
