📊 Property Insight — From the Tenant’s Lens
“I didn’t expect finding a smaller office would be harder than expanding.”
He paused… almost surprised by his own words.
Because logically, taking less space should be easier.
But in today’s CBD market — it’s the opposite.
In reality, spaces below 1,500 sq ft are moving the fastest.
What used to be an “in-between” size
has quietly become the most competed segment.
Why?
Because companies today are no longer planning space based on total headcount…
they are planning based on how their teams actually work.
Behind every search is a similar story.
A 30-পax company doesn’t need 30 seats anymore.
They may only need space for 15–20 people at any one time.
Because:
- Hybrid work reduces daily occupancy
- Teams operate leaner
- Businesses are more intentional with cost
So instead of taking 3,000 sq ft…
they start asking:
“Can we do this in 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft — but better?”
And this is where the shift becomes very real.
Today’s tenants are not just looking for space.
They are looking for the right experience.
A typical brief now sounds like:
- 1 meeting room
- 1 manager room
- 8–12 workstations
- A proper pantry
- A small holding or collaboration area
Not bigger — just smarter.
💡 The Reality of CBD Today
Most active tenant profiles now fall into:
- 5–10 pax → Compact, efficient spaces
- 10–20 pax → The most competitive segment
- 20–50 pax → Growth-ready, fitted offices
With a planning benchmark of:
👉 ~100–140 sq ft per person
A good example is Suntec City —
where spaces have been almost fully taken up.
And even when units return due to restructuring,
they are quickly absorbed.
Not because companies are expanding aggressively —
but because they are repositioning wisely.
Behind the scenes, many businesses are:
- Becoming more prudent in an uncertain global environment
- Reducing fixed overheads (not a sign of weakness, but strategy)
- Downsizing without compromising quality
- Seeking better buildings, better connectivity, better environments
Spaces today are chosen for:
- Team connection
- Training and alignment
- Culture building
No longer just rows of desks.
And landlords are responding.
More are now offering fitted, move-in ready offices —
allowing tenants to:
- Save on upfront costs
- Move faster
- Operate immediately
🔍 What’s Ahead
With rising energy costs and changing travel patterns,
we may see even more companies lean into hybrid work models
as leases come up for renewal in the coming months.
📩 A Thought to Leave You With
If your lease is coming up,
this may not just be a renewal conversation…
It may be a reset moment.
Not “how much space do we need?”
But:
“What kind of space will help our team perform at their best?”
Have a fantastic week ahead.
