Office Occupier Intentions Q1 2026: Flight to Quality Is Accelerating. Total Footprint Is Not Growing.
64% of corporate real estate decision-makers surveyed in the Q1 2026 Troview Intent Occupier Sentiment Index are upgrading to Grade A space in their next lease cycle. 58% are simultaneously reducing total square footage.
186 Corporate Real Estate Decision-Makers Across 12 Markets
The Q1 2026 Troview Intent Occupier Sentiment Index surveyed 186 corporate real estate decision-makers at organisations employing more than 500 people across 12 major office markets.
Respondents included heads of corporate real estate, facilities leaders, COOs, and occupancy strategy decision-makers. The survey captures space intentions for the six and twelve months from April 2026.
Consolidation and Upgrade Are Happening Simultaneously
The defining office trend is not simply contraction. It is contraction paired with quality upgrading. Companies are taking less space overall, but paying up for better buildings.
That means the bifurcation between Grade A and Grade B office is set to become more acute. Occupiers reducing footprint are often vacating lower-spec space first and concentrating teams into better assets.
We will be in one building instead of three. It will be the best building we have ever occupied. Our cost per person will be similar because the footprint is smaller but the specification and rent are higher.
Survey respondent - Head of Corporate Real Estate, Global Financial Services Firm, London
Singapore and Tokyo Show Expansion Intent. Washington DC Weakest.
Singapore recorded the strongest positive space intention score in the survey, followed by Tokyo. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Dubai also showed positive net intent, reflecting expansion among technology and financial services occupiers.
Washington DC recorded the weakest score, shaped by federal footprint reductions and a structurally weaker demand base relative to gateway peers.
Green Building Certification Is Now a Minimum Requirement, Not a Differentiator
A large majority of respondents now treat green certification as a baseline requirement in new space searches rather than a nice-to-have feature.
That shift compounds the obsolescence risk for assets that are neither top-tier in specification nor credible in sustainability credentials.
Short Lease Terms Remain the Dominant Preference Outside Asia Pacific
North American and European occupiers continue to prefer shorter lease terms as they protect optionality around future workplace strategy.
Asia Pacific differs, with tighter Grade A supply and stronger landlord leverage supporting a preference for longer commitments in cities such as Singapore and Tokyo.