The Benefits of Renting an Office in Singapore’s CBD for Businesses & Startups

Singapore’s central business district is the core of the country’s business activity. The Singapore CBD, like most city centres around the world, is home to many high-rise commercial buildings, offering both established companies and new startups the opportunity to position themselves in the heart of commercial activity.

The demand for office spaces in Singapore’s CBD is best illustrated by the high rental costs for Grade A office spaces. JLL research data showed core CBD Grade A office rents rose by 0.7% quarter-on-quarter to SGD $11.69 per square foot (psf) per month in Q2 2025. ¹

Despite rising rent prices, many businesses still favour setting up an office in the CBD as the location offers a range of benefits for brand reputation and prestige, proximity to clients and partners, accessibility for workers, and state-of-the-art building facilities.

Offices in Singapore’s CBD Region

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The CBD itself has smaller pockets or areas for different industries – Raffles Place is home to banks and corporate offices, while Shenton Way hosts professional service organisations like those in law and insurance.

The Marina Centre, Beach Road, and Ophir-Rochor corridor are some of the most recent extensions of the CBD. Plans for redevelopment in this area were first established by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in 2008. Today, this region is teeming with Grade A offices, retail, and residential developments, offering more commercial operations the opportunity to reap the benefits of a centrally located office.

Shaw Tower is the most prominent development in this rapidly developing corridor. Located in the Beach Road/Ophir-Rochor district, Shaw Tower’s position in the CBD puts tenants in close proximity to business centres in Bugis and Marina Centre. Shaw Tower is also a Grade A office building, providing a contemporary working environment that reflects the same level of convenience and quality that businesses expect of the CBD.

How Renting an Office in Singapore’s CBD Benefits Businesses

Proximity To Clients

An office in the CBD awards the benefit of being closely located to potential clients, partners, and professional services such as banks and law firms.

The convenience of shorter travel times (and commutes) can be a game-changer for businesses that rely on in-person client meetings to build strong relationships. Being within minutes of partners, suppliers, and clients also contributes to how smoothly operations are run, which ultimately impact future success.

Renting an office in the revitalised Ophir-Rochor corridor allows businesses to enjoy proximity to Singapore’s central business hub, as well as access to regional business clusters in Tanjong Pagar, Marina Bay, and Bugis.

Transport And Accessibility

CBD offices are well-connected via public transport and roads. There are a plethora of MRT stations and bus routes to access the district, offering shorter, more efficient, and more productive commutes.

Shaw Tower’s offices provide this level of accessibility to tenants. Motorists will take 10 minutes or less to reach the Raffles City cluster through the neighbouring Nicoll Highway, which leads on to the CBD via Esplanade Drive and Fullerton Road. Shaw Tower is also within walking distance of Esplanade, Promenade, and Bugis MRT stations.

Office Building Facilities

Centrally located offices are also more likely to be higher quality or Grade A office buildings. In fact, most of the Grade A offices in Singapore are located in the CBD. Grade A office spaces offer enhanced facilities for tenants, including security, energy savings, flexible layouts, and shared collaboration spaces.

Grade A buildings also have conference rooms, private meeting spaces, on-site dining options, fitness facilities, and green spaces. Better working conditions lead to high levels of employee satisfaction and productivity.

Newer office buildings on the fringe of the CBD, such as Shaw Tower, feature larger floor plates, offering room for future expansion or customised layouts as a company grows.

Business Image

A CBD office contributes to a premium brand image, which holds value for both established companies and startups looking to stand out in a competitive landscape.

Operating out of a prominent or well-known commercial building – like Shaw Tower – also builds credibility. Clients and customers often associate business reputation with location and a potential client is more likely to trust a company that operates in the CBD than an obscure address.

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Learn More About Shaw Tower

Renting an office space in the CBD is an investment into the future success of your business. Offices in the CBD are best equipped to support the operational needs of businesses while providing opportunities for growth.

Shaw Tower is a Grade A office building located in the bustling Beach Road/Ophir-Rochor district. Shaw Tower is set to redefine the way that businesses work: with 23 floors of flexible floor plans ranging from 18,000 to 20,000 square feet, ample communal facilities for work and relaxation, and direct access to the CBD.

Sources:

Singapore Office Market Dynamics – Q2 2025. (2025, September 1). https://www.jll.com/en-sea/insights/market-dynamics/singapore-office