Managed offices emerge as top choice for GCC expansion in India: Report

As Global Capability Centres (GCCs) accelerate their expansion across India, businesses are increasingly turning to managed office spaces, which are emerging as a preferred option. A majority of enterprises, 86%, say managed offices are their first choice as they scale operations, and most of them, 71%, feel their decision is driven not just by space requirements, but by experience and efficiency.

Since the model is delivering tangible financial benefits, 57% of companies says compared to traditional office setups, they have seen major savings in fit-out and ongoing maintenance costs. Awfis' data also shows that around 44% of its clients have already expanded across multiple cities using the managed office solutions. The new model, beyond cost and flexibility, also ensures a boost in productivity, as the survey suggests 68% of companies saw a clear boost in employee experience and productivity.

Amit Ramani, CMD of Awfis, says the workplace transformation seen in India isn't simply about flexible leases or shared amenities, but about enterprises fundamentally rethinking how workspace strategy can lead to agility, talent attraction, and operational excellence. "For organisations navigating hybrid work, rapid expansion, and distributed teams, MOS provides the precision and adaptability that traditional real estate models struggle to deliver cohesively."

Managed office spaces (MOS) sit at the intersection of four critical forces shaping India's workplace future: the permanence of hybrid work models, geographic expansion into emerging markets, the rising bar for employee experience, and ESG accountability. What distinguishes contemporary MOS from earlier flexible workspace iterations is the integration of purpose-built environments, enterprise-grade security and compliance, brand-aligned customisation, and technology infrastructure that supports complex global operations, particularly for GCCs establishing mission-critical delivery centres.

Among the key trends, modern managed office spaces are rapidly evolving with cutting-edge technology to create smart, efficient, and responsive work environments. A key emerging trend is the integration of IoT-enabled systems that automate and personalise the workspace. 

High-tech collaboration zones are also becoming standard. Touchless controls, interactive displays, and advanced video conferencing tools are transforming meeting rooms into frictionless, immersive collaboration hubs. 

Another major shift is the use of smart sensors and analytics to monitor space utilisation in real time. These insights help organisations continuously optimise seating layouts and resource allocation, ensuring that the workspace remains aligned with evolving team needs. Overall, technology-led MOS are emerging as a priority for companies seeking improved operational efficiency, effective hybrid work enablement, and a future-ready, connected workplace experience

The report says the managed office space solution in India stands at an interesting crossroad. They started as a convenient option for start-ups and freelancers, and have now become a vital part of corporate real estate strategy. “As organisations reimagine workspaces after the pandemic, the idea of flexibility, scalability, and experience-driven offices has found a strong foothold.”