Modern Offices with Amenities and Metro Access Outperform Older Buildings in Bucharest Market

The Bucharest office market continues to show a strong divide between modern, well-located properties and older, traditional schemes, according to recent analyses by Colliers, CBRE, and Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. Vacancy rates across the capital are averaging between 12 and 13 percent in mid-2025, the lowest level since 2021, but the performance varies widely depending on the quality, amenities, and location of the buildings.

Colliers notes that companies now view office space as more than a cost item, with amenities such as cafés, relaxation areas, green zones, and informal collaboration spaces increasingly influencing leasing decisions. The presence of direct metro access has also become a decisive factor for tenants. While the consultancy has suggested that properties combining these features lease up more quickly and retain tenants more effectively, the exact vacancy figures by building type are not publicly disclosed.

CBRE reports that vacancy rates in Bucharest submarkets range from as low as about 4 percent in prime areas to over 26 percent in less connected zones. Class A buildings, particularly those delivered recently and offering modern technical specifications alongside sustainability certifications, continue to attract tenants at a faster pace than older Class B stock. Cushman & Wakefield Echinox confirms this trend, highlighting that Bucharest’s vacancy rate fell to 13.6 percent at the start of 2025, the lowest in nearly four years, with demand concentrated in better-located and higher-quality projects.

Colliers consultants emphasize that offices are increasingly viewed as environments supporting organisational culture, employee well-being, and collaboration. This shift is particularly evident among international service centres opening in Bucharest, which often prioritize metro accessibility and community-oriented design. Projects that integrate such features have been more successful in attracting and retaining tenants, underlining their long-term value for investors.

“For companies competing in an increasingly tight labour market, the office has become a strategic tool. Employees are looking for spaces that provide comfort, energy and opportunities for social interaction, not just places to work. Cafés, green areas and informal working zones help them feel part of a community, and buildings that offer such experiences are no longer simple addresses, but environments that foster collaboration and a sense of belonging. Investing in modern office buildings brings visible long-term benefits, from reduced vacancy to increased asset value”, explains Daniela Popescu, Director - Tenant Services & Workplace Advisory at Colliers.

The broader market data shows that while Bucharest maintains an overall vacancy rate in the low-teens, the gap between modern, amenity-rich, well-connected buildings and older, less accessible properties remains significant. Analysts suggest this divergence will persist as occupiers continue to prioritise workplace quality and connectivity in a competitive labour market.