New Delhi: Nearly 40 per cent of office occupiers in India are concerned about securing high-quality, well-located office space through 2028, even as companies continue to favour established business districts for future requirements, according to CBRE's 2026 India Office Occupier Survey.The concern comes as 55 per cent of organisations considering relocation are actively targeting better-quality buildings to improve employee experience and support future growth.CBRE said the preference for quality space is already visible in leasing activity, with 41 per cent of all office leasing during 2025-H1 2026 taking place in investment-grade assets. In core micro-markets, 46 per cent of leasing transactions were concentrated in investment-grade buildings, while such assets accounted for 57 per cent of new completions during the period.The report said occupiers are also showing a strong preference for established locations. About 47 per cent of respondents prefer core or established micro-markets for new offices, while another 25 per cent prefer 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.The survey also points to a need for occupiers to plan office moves and expansion well ahead of time. CBRE's recommendations say companies should plan relocation and expansion requirements in advance as the availability of high-quality space in core markets remains constrained.At the same time, the report indicates that the definition of a preferred workplace is widening beyond the physical quality of an office. Flexible workspaces, commute access and AI-enabled infrastructure are increasingly being considered as part of future workplace strategies.For landlords and developers, CBRE recommends prioritising high-quality assets and improving connectivity, while investors could focus on upgrading ageing buildings to meet the growing preference for better-quality workplaces.The report also suggests developing quality office space in select Tier-II cities to capture emerging occupier demand.
