India’s commercial real estate sector is witnessing a strong resurgence, as highlighted in the India Office Quarterly Report Q2 CY’24 by CRE Matrix. The report underscores the accelerating momentum in the office market, with leasing activity steadily approaching historic highs. This growth is being driven by robust occupier demand, expansion across key business sectors, and strengthening overall market fundamentals.
Strong Leasing Activity Pushes Market Toward Record Levels
The first half of 2024 has already set the tone for what could be a record-breaking year. Office leasing across India reached 38 million sq. ft. in H1 CY’24, nearly matching the peak levels recorded in 2022. This marks a significant rebound, with demand growing by 11% compared to the previous half-year and by 21% year-on-year.
A major share of this demand was driven by Bengaluru and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which together accounted for nearly half of the country’s total leasing activity. Notably, MMR recorded its highest-ever quarterly demand at 4.6 million sq. ft., surpassing its previous peak. Large-ticket transactions continued to dominate the market, particularly in Bengaluru, where deals exceeding 1 lakh sq. ft. made up a substantial portion of total leasing activity.
Supply Moderation and Declining Vacancy Levels
While demand has surged, supply additions have remained relatively stable. New office completions stood at 11.9 million sq. ft. in Q2 CY’24, matching the previous quarter but showing a decline compared to earlier periods. This moderation in supply, combined with strong absorption, has contributed to a gradual tightening of the market.
Cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad accounted for a significant portion of new developments, and their contribution has helped balance supply dynamics across key markets. As a result, overall vacancy levels across India declined to 16.8%, with major markets including NCR, MMR, Chennai, and Pune witnessing a reduction in vacant stock.
Rental Growth Signals Strengthening Market Fundamentals
The upward movement in rentals further reflects the strength of the office market. Average rents across India increased by 4.3% on a quarter-on-quarter basis, with cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune leading this growth.
This steady rise in rental values indicates improving landlord confidence and tightening availability of high-quality office spaces. According to the report, India’s average market rent is expected to reach ₹100 per sq. ft. per month in the second half of 2024, a key milestone for the sector.
Key Sectors Driving Office Demand
Demand in the office market continues to be driven by a mix of traditional and emerging sectors. IT and ITeS companies remain the dominant occupiers, supported by strong hiring and expansion strategies. The BFSI sector has also shown consistent growth, while co-working operators are playing an increasingly important role in shaping flexible workspace demand.
Together, these sectors account for a significant share of leasing activity across major cities. The growing presence of co-working operators in markets like NCR, Hyderabad, and Pune highlights the evolving nature of workplace strategies, where flexibility and scalability have become critical for occupiers.
City-Level Trends Highlight Diverse Market Dynamics
At a city level, each market continues to display distinct characteristics. Bengaluru remains a demand powerhouse with strong leasing activity and one of the lowest vacancy levels among major cities. MMR has emerged as a key growth driver, supported by large enterprise deals and strong demand from financial institutions.
Delhi-NCR continues to show steady absorption despite relatively higher vacancy levels, while Hyderabad is evolving into a landlord-driven market with rising rentals. Chennai has seen a sharp surge in demand, reflecting renewed occupier interest, and Pune stands out with tight supply conditions and a strong demand-to-supply ratio, indicating a highly competitive market environment.
Outlook for CY’24: A Landmark Year Ahead
The outlook for India’s office market remains highly positive. With strong leasing momentum in the first half of the year, total demand is expected to surpass 80 million sq. ft. by the end of CY’24, potentially exceeding the record set in 2022.
Rising rentals, declining vacancies, and sustained demand from key sectors are expected to drive continued growth across major cities. As businesses expand and global firms strengthen their presence in India, the country is likely to remain one of the most attractive office markets globally.
Conclusion
The Q2 CY’24 office market performance underscores the resilience and growth potential of India’s commercial real estate sector. With demand nearing record highs and market fundamentals strengthening, the sector is entering a new phase of expansion. Insights from CRE Matrix continue to provide valuable guidance for stakeholders looking to navigate this evolving landscape, making data-driven decisions more critical than ever.
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