Colliers report highlights steady growth and evolving role of flexible offices in Bucharest

Colliers’ latest report, Flexpansion: The Architecture of Agility, highlights the growing role of flexible offices in meeting the needs of companies navigating hybrid work models, cost constraints, and talent retention challenges. In Bucharest, flexible offices account for 2.3% of the total modern office stock, a level similar to Dublin and Prague but below the average of more mature European markets. The city has more than 50 locations run by nearly 30 operators.

Colliers notes that companies are increasingly blending traditional office space with flexible arrangements, using each for complementary purposes. Traditional offices provide stability, predictability, and long-term customization, while flexible spaces offer adaptability, quick mobilization, and cost efficiency. This approach is influencing how landlords design and operate conventional office buildings, with greater focus on shared areas, employee well-being, and integrated services.

Bucharest’s flexible office market is also competitive in terms of pricing. The average monthly rent for a private office in a flexible workspace is around €300, compared with €500 in Amsterdam, €625 in Dublin, and €850 in London. This cost advantage, along with a stable and growing office sector, positions the city as an attractive location for international operators expanding into Central and Eastern Europe.

Flexible offices, once associated mainly with freelancers and startups, are now part of the corporate strategies of medium and large companies. They are being used for temporary teams, satellite hubs, and market entry testing. Regional cities such as Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara are also drawing attention from operators, supported by their strong IT&C sectors and openness to modern workplace models.

Across the EMEA region, flexible office stock has grown from 2 million sq m in 2010 to 8.3 million sq m by the end of 2024. The number of operators has tripled to over 1,850, with more than 80 new entrants in 2024. Models now range from community-focused shared spaces to customized corporate environments meeting WELL and ESG standards.

In Romania, Colliers’ Asset Services department manages over 500,000 sq m of office space, with attendance levels above 50% since 2024. Through its Workplace Advisory service, the company supports clients in creating work environments that promote collaboration, flexibility, and well-being in line with hybrid work realities.

Source: Daniela Popescu, Director | Tenant Services & Workplace Advisory in the Office department at Colliers Romania.