6 days ago
India’s Flex Workspace Boom Spreads Beyond Traditional Major Markets
Flexible workspaces are offices that companies can rent for changing amounts of time and space.
In the first half of 2026, many more companies used these offices across India.
Ahmedabad had the biggest percentage increase, although it remained smaller than Bengaluru.
Hyderabad, Delhi NCR and Mumbai also grew quickly.
Bengaluru was still the biggest market for flexible office seats.
Kolkata and Pune grew as well, while Chennai saw only a small increase.
Flexible workspace companies leased 8.4 million square feet during the period.
The growth suggests that businesses want offices they can expand or reduce more easily in different cities.
Global Capability Centres were an important source of this demand.
Flex operators leased 191,306 seats across India’s top eight cities in H1 2026, up 68.4% year over year.
Ahmedabad recorded the fastest growth, with leasing rising 570.3% to 4,927 seats from 735.
Hyderabad, Delhi NCR and Mumbai also posted sharp increases of 170.8%, 152.7% and 130%, respectively.
Bengaluru remained the largest market with 57,487 seats, representing 30% of total uptake, despite slower 31.8% growth.
Global Capability Centres accounted for 44% of flex seats leased in H1 2026, up from 37% in full-year 2025.
- Who
- Flex workspace operators, companies and Global Capability Centres drove the reported leasing activity; Cushman & Wakefield Executive Managing Director Ramita Arora described the trend.
- What
- Flexible workspace leasing increased sharply across India’s top eight cities, reaching 191,306 seats and 8.4 million square feet in H1 2026.
- Where
- The activity occurred across Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.
- When
- The figures cover the first half of 2026 and compare with the first half of 2025.
- Why
- Companies are seeking office solutions that can scale quickly across markets, while occupiers increasingly want customized, experience-led workplaces.
Key facts
- Total seats leased
- 191,306 seats in H1 2026, up 68.4% from 113,623 in H1 2025.
- Gross leasing volume
- 8.4 million square feet in H1 2026, up 55% from 5.4 million square feet.
- Share of office leasing
- Flex operators accounted for nearly 20% of overall office leasing, compared with 13% in H1 2025.
- Fastest percentage growth
- Ahmedabad increased 570.3%, from 735 seats to 4,927 seats.
- Largest market
- Bengaluru leased 57,487 seats and accounted for 30% of total seat uptake.
- Global Capability Centres
- GCCs accounted for 44% of flex seats leased in H1 2026, compared with 37% for full-year 2025.
- Other major increases
- Hyderabad rose 170.8% to 40,451 seats; Delhi NCR rose 152.7% to 21,970; Mumbai rose 130% to 25,820.
Quotes
Ramita Arora
Executive Managing Director, Bengaluru, and Head-Flex, India, at Cushman & Wakefield
“As enterprises seek greater agility and efficiency, flex and managed office solutions are becoming an integral part of long-term workplace planning”
businesstoday.in
“Flexible workspaces have firmly established themselves as a core element of corporate real estate strategies”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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