Nearly 65% of office occupiers in India plan to incorporate flexible workspaces into their portfolios by 2027. At present, around 55% already have such setups in place, according to the “Flex-plosion:
India’s Flexible Workspaces Era” report by CBRE India Research in collaboration with FICCI, highlighting a major shift in corporate real estate strategies.
65% Companies to Adopt Flex Offices by 2027
The report noted that for modern businesses, “flexibility is no longer an add-on but an intentional, embedded component of office portfolio strategy”.
The sector has “transitioned from a start-up enabler to a core component of an occupier’s real estate strategy” over the last decade.
Why Flexible Workspaces Are Booming in India
What began before 2015 as small co-working hubs and serviced offices now serves an enterprise-grade clientele. This group includes everything from large corporations and global capability centres (GCCs) to MSMEs.
This “accelerated expansion is driven by a fundamental shift in occupier strategy,” positioning these spaces as integral to corporate portfolios.
The report showed that the market has undergone a roughly 3X increase in total stock between 2020 and 2025. Approximately 50 per cent of the current total inventory was added after 2021.
As of 2025, India’s flexible workspace stock stood between 110 and 114 million square feet (MSF). Tier-1 cities dominate this landscape, accounting for more than 90 per cent of the total flexible workspace stock.
Flex Workspaces Grow: Bengaluru Leads, Pune Tops
On average, flexible workspaces now represent a 10 to 12 per cent penetration within the broader office stock.
As per the report, regionally, Bengaluru remains the largest market with 30 to 32 MSF of flexible stock and a penetration rate of 12 to 14 per cent. Delhi-NCR follows with 21 to 23 MSF.
However, Pune reported the highest sectoral penetration nationally at 14 to 16 per cent, supported by 13.6 to 14.6 MSF of stock. In Mumbai, demand is driven by the BFSI sector and large corporates, where leasing activity saw a steady increase through 2024 and 2025.
The market is also seeing deeper capital market integration as operators secure public listings. The current market capitalisation for all listed flexible workspace operators is estimated at USD 2.0 to 2.2 billion. This influx of institutional capital supports faster network expansion and asset-light models.
Moving forward, the increased presence of institutional capital is “expected to shift flex growth towards more disciplined, networked expansion,” further reinforcing the sector’s stability within the national office market.
Inputs from ANI
Manisha Chauhan is a passionate journalist with 3 years of experience in the media industry, covering everything from trending entertainment buzz and celebrity spotlights to thought-provoking book reviews and practical health tips. Known for blending fresh perspectives with reader-friendly writing, she creates content that informs, entertains, and inspires. When she’s not chasing the next viral story, you’ll find her diving into a good book or exploring new wellness trends.
