NEW DELHI: Nearly 40% of office occupiers in India are concerned about securing high-quality, well-located workspace through 2028, even as companies continue to favour established business districts, according to CBRE’s 2026 India Office Occupier Survey.The concern comes as companies increasingly seek better-quality offices to support employee experience and future growth. About 55% of organisations planning to relocate are actively looking for higher-quality buildings, the survey found.The preference is already reflected in leasing activity. Investment-grade buildings accounted for 41% of all office leasing during the first half of 2025-26. In core micro-markets, 46% of leasing transactions were in investment-grade assets, while such buildings made up 57% of new office completions during the period.Established business districts remain preferredCompanies also continue to favour established office locations. About 47% of respondents said they prefer core or established micro-markets for new offices, while another 25% favour a combination of core and non-core locations.“Location decisions continue to favour established micro-markets, with almost half of occupiers preferring core precincts. The confluence of mature infrastructure, deep talent catchments, and strong multimodal connectivity continues to influence occupiers’ location strategy, outweighing pure cost advantages,” CBRE said.“Focussed infrastructure initiatives by state governments are transforming urban ecosystems and laying the foundation to catalyse future growth,” it added.Companies urged to plan office moves earlyWith quality space remaining limited in key markets, CBRE said companies should plan relocation and expansion requirements well in advance.The survey also found that the idea of a preferred workplace is expanding beyond the physical quality of an office. Flexible workspaces, ease of commuting and AI-enabled infrastructure are increasingly becoming part of companies’ workplace strategies.For landlords and developers, CBRE recommended focusing on high-quality assets and better connectivity. Investors, meanwhile, could upgrade ageing buildings to meet the growing demand for better workplaces.The report also recommended developing quality office space in select Tier-II cities to tap emerging demand from occupiers.
