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Flexible work spaces may grow 20% in CBD

By Bong Xin Ying

/ EdgeProp Singapore |

January 30, 2019 12:02 AM SGT

Flexible work spaces could increase by a further 20% y-o-y to a combined 2.7 million sq ft within the Singapore CBD in 2019, according to Colliers International. The projected increase of about 580,000 sq ft includes recent leases that have been signed and represents about 5% of the total office stock (all grades) in the city centre. These data were presented at Colliers' launch of its inaugural Landlord Sentiment Survey in Singapore on Jan 24.

Flexible workspaces, which comprise co-working space and serviced office operators, have seen tremendous growth in recent years. The sector grew an estimated 670,000 sq ft in 2018, says Colliers.

About 90% of the respondents have a flexible workspace provider within their buildings, which they believe add value to their tenants, the survey showed. Of those, 25% of the respondents have both serviced office and co-working space in their property, while 40% have only serviced office, and 25% only co-working space.

Conducted from 2Q to 3Q2018, the survey polled landlords whose properties represent more than 50% of the Premium and Grade-A stock in Singapore’s CBD. The properties are all mixed developments comprising an office component.

Tight vacancy rates in CBD

The poll also revealed that 75% of the respondents’ buildings have less than 10% vacancy, indicating tight vacancy rates across prime office buildings in the CBD. The limited availability of large contiguous space in the CBD could hamper a landlord’s ability to meet tenants’ expansion needs, says Rick Thomas, Colliers’ newly appointed head of occupier services for Singapore.

CBD Grade-A office supply completion this year is likely to remain similar to 2018’s level, at about 0.7 million sq ft. Office properties expected to be completed this year include 18 Robinson, 9 Penang Road and Funan.

The Banking & Finance sector continues to be the ideal occupier segment for the respondents (80%), followed by Technology, Media & Telecom (60%) and Professional Services (45%), the survey showed.

Tenant retention a challenge

Of the respondents, 75% see tenant retention as a challenge, citing more competitive pricing, changing economic factors and new commercial developments. The new-builds completed in the last two years offer several key features, such as end-of-trip facilities, enhanced technology, more sustainability features and higher efficiency. The better user experience of these new-builds often aligns with the occupiers’ increasing focus on wellness and talent recruitment strategies.

Pricing will always be an “important aspect” of any tenant attraction and retention strategy, especially in a “rising market where Premium and Grade-A CBD rents are inching up”, says Thomas.

In the CBD, Beach Road, Shenton Way/Tanjong Pagar, and Raffles Place/New Downtown were the top three micro-markets with the strongest rental growth in 2018.

Landlords should be proactive and more progressive by providing varied lease structures while ensuring competitive pricing, says Duncan White, Colliers’ head of office services.

Some occupiers may “consider leasing lower-priced office space in the city fringe and suburbs or even in business parks if they meet the eligibility criteria”, Thomas says.

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