Companies are cutting office expenses but investing in quality and technology
In 2026, office spending will remain a key focus for most companies. Mounting budgetary pressures are prompting organizations to seek cost-saving solutions that won’t compromise the quality of their workspaces. A study by Cushman & Wakefield and CoreNet Global found that space optimization, flexible hiring, and efficiency improvements are key development areas.
The survey covered more than 235 corporate real estate executives worldwide. Most respondents were from the Americas (52%), followed by Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) (34%), and Asia-Pacific (14%). The leading industries are finance, real estate, and technology. This indicates that capital-intensive and innovative sectors are most actively revising their office infrastructure approaches.
Financial metrics continue to dominate
Nearly 80% of companies regularly use financial indicators, such as revenue, cost, and space efficiency. Other metrics are used less frequently:
– spatial indicators — 43% of companies;
– employee experience — 22%;
– staff engagement and retention — 17%.
This distribution indicates that office management is still dominated by the logic of direct costs and return on investment.
New priorities in office expenses
Despite the focus on costs, companies are gradually shifting their attention to qualitative aspects. Key decision-making factors include:
– cost pressure — the main driver across all regions;
– talent acquisition and retention — a consistent priority, especially in Europe and Asia-Pacific;
– operational efficiency and growth through M&A — important goals for American companies;
– corporate brand and customer relations — reinforcing the importance of intangible assets.
Corporate real estate departments are increasingly coming under HR management. Over the past two years, nearly a third of companies have transferred CRE to this unit. This shift in perspective views the office not only as an asset but also as a tool for shaping corporate culture. Finance departments continue to focus on efficiency, while HR emphasizes employee comfort and engagement.
New requirements for landlords
Offices remain hubs for interaction and culture, but tenants expect more. Around 85% of companies want modern, tech-savvy spaces, and nearly half are willing to pay extra for them. Since 2019, the premium for high-end offices has more than doubled. For building owners, this is a clear signal that competitiveness is now determined by quality of service rather than square footage.
Today, office management goes beyond simple space optimization. Companies strive to create flexible, technologically advanced environments that motivate employees and sustain growth. However, financial discipline remains essential. Therefore, the success of the strategy largely depends on how well the business can balance savings with comfort and productivity.