The Future of Singapore Offices
The future of office spaces in Singapore is changing due to a fundamental shift in how people are working, a tightening in supply, global sustainability commitments, and the increasing adoption of IoT technology.
As the city-state transitions toward a “work-live-play” model within its Downtown Core, the traditional office is being replaced by “future-ready” hubs that prioritise tenant wellness, digital agility, and environmental responsibility.
Artist’s Impression
SINGAPORE’S OFFICE MARKET IN 2026
The biggest factor affecting future office trends is limited market supply. Singapore’s Grade A Central Business District (CBD) office rents are forecast to rise by 2% in 2026, due to the lack of new office supply[1]. Shaw Tower is the only Grade A building scheduled for completion in 2026, according to CBRE[2].
Despite rising rent, demand for quality office spaces remains high. In 2025, Singapore recorded a net absorption of close to 941,000 square feet for CBD Grade A offices – the highest annual level of demand since 2019 (Savills)[3]. This underscores a rising trend where tenants are willing to pay a premium for buildings that offer better infrastructure and location.
FLEXIBLE
LEASING
Past leasing trends showed that flexible leasing arrangements are favoured by start-ups and small businesses. However, bigger companies are increasingly opting for flexible leasing as a core-and-flex solution to manage headcount volatility without being locked into excess office space.
The flexible workplace market in Singapore currently makes up 5% of the commercial leasing market[4], and CBRE’s Asia Pacific Leasing Market Sentiment Index indicates that Flexible Office Providers are among the top five sectors expected to see strong expansionary demand in 2026[5].
Shaw Tower embodies this trend by partnering with The Great Room by Industrious, which will occupy over 36,000 sq. ft. across Levels 7 and 8. This not only provides for the flexible office demand but also acts as an amenity to the rest of the tenants in Shaw Tower, allowing for agility as needed. Furthermore, the building’s design itself caters to long-term adaptability; its side-core configuration and column-free floor plates (ranging from 18,000 to 20,000 square ft.) are equipped with multiple knock-out panels. Tenants have the option to combine office spaces across levels, providing a more modular approach that accounts for future upscaling.
SUSTAINABLE WORKPLACES
In Singapore, sustainability is becoming a must-have for commercial buildings rather than a perk. The Singapore Green Building Masterplan calls for 80% of all buildings (by Gross Floor Area) to be green-certified by 2030.
Shaw Tower is the first Grade A commercial building in Singapore to achieve the BCA Green Mark Platinum (Super Low Energy) certification under the new 2021 criteria. The building is designed to achieve more than 60% energy savings compared to normal buildings, and has sustainable features such as:
- Rooftop solar photovoltaic panels and a wind turbine to offset operational power.
- An advanced hybrid HVAC system and chilled water plant.
- A high green plot ratio of 5.4 and biophilic design, bringing nature into the workspace to improve air quality and mental well-being.
HIGH-TECH OFFICES
Singapore’s future workspace will have smart technology integration for improving tenant experience and operational efficiency. Automated guest registration systems, destination-controlled lifts with automatic UV sterilisation, Bluetooth low-energy sensor technology are examples of smart technology that are already in use in Grade A office buildings.
The new benchmarks for these digital capabilities are the WiredScore and SmartScore certifications. Shaw Tower is the first in Singapore and Asia to achieve WiredScore Platinum and SmartScore Platinum certification. Tenants can expect a digital infrastructure and IoT-enabled ecosystem that minimises connectivity issues and monitors occupancy data in real-time.
HYBRID WORK SETUPS
According to the 2026 Asia Pacific Workplace Insights report by Colliers, 87% of organisations in Singapore now allow employees to split time between home and the office. With more teams working outside of the office, future workspaces need to cater to more than one fixed use.
Shaw Tower supports this by offering 21,500 sq. ft. of community-centric facilities.
- Sky Terraces & Gardens – Located at Levels 5/6 and 19/20, these outdoor areas are open for use as breakout areas, and are equipped with meeting pods for additional privacy.
- Multi-Purpose Event Spaces – A versatile space that includes a double volume event space and training facilities for large-scale events.
- Shared Amenities – Features like the Sky Deck and BBQ pits on Level 19 encourage social interaction and wellness.
Shaw Tower’s shared amenities helps tenants minimise “dead space” within offices, reducing the need to lease large spaces. The building’s communal areas provide plenty of room for meetings and social gatherings.
With online connectivity being an important backbone for hybrid work setups, Shaw Tower’s WiredScore Platinum andSmartScore Platinum rating is more than adequate to support businesses with WFH arrangements and those with overseas counterparts.