25 Jun 2024
The Office Segment: Market Dynamics and Outlook
Property Insight

Overview of the Singapore Office Market

The office market in Singapore is a vital component of the national economy, functioning as a hub for business operations, professional services, and corporate headquarters. In recent years, the market has undergone significant changes driven by economic shifts, technological advancements, and evolving work patterns. Singapore's dynamic and globally connected city environment continues to attract multinational corporations and startups, fostering a vibrant business ecosystem.

Impact of the Global Pandemic

The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of flexible work arrangements, leading companies to reassess their office space requirements. This has influenced the demand and supply dynamics of office spaces. Additionally, government initiatives, such as the decentralization strategy and the enhancement of business districts, have impacted the office market.

Economic Growth and Sector Performance

In Q1 2024, Singapore's economy grew by 2.7% year-on-year and 0.1% quarter-on-quarter. The real estate sector, specifically, showed a year-on-year growth of 0.6%. Significant growth was observed in sectors such as Information & Communications (6.3%) and Finance & Insurance (6.5%), driven by increased demand and higher transaction volumes.

Office Space Prices and Transactions

Office space prices showed signs of moderation, with the URA office price index indicating a reduction in the rate of price adjustments. Key transactions in the first four months of 2024 included significant deals such as the $33.3 million sale of a 21st-floor office unit at Vision Exchange in Jurong Gateway. This building is notable for its high-quality specifications and modern amenities.

Office Rentals and Vacancy Rates

The URA office rental index showed a moderation in office rents in the Central Region, with a slight decrease in Q1 2024. However, median monthly rentals increased in the Central Area and Outside Central Region. The volume of office rental transactions grew by 9.5% quarter-on-quarter, with a significant increase in the total leasing value. The island-wide vacancy rate for office space tightened from 9.9% in 4Q2023 to 9.6% in 1Q2024.

Future Outlook and Strategic Shifts

Businesses are exploring strategies such as moving out of prime locations, repurposing buildings, or investing in tech-enabled work environments. According to the Business Expectations Survey, business outlook remains positive, with a notable improvement in hiring demand. The number of business entities grew by 4.0% in the first four months of 2024.

Flexible Work Arrangements

Starting from December 2024, all employers in Singapore must consider formal requests for flexible work arrangements (FWAs). These guidelines aim to promote work-life balance while acknowledging that not all roles are suitable for FWAs. Employers are not obligated to approve every request, and the guidelines are not intended to influence business decisions regarding hiring practices or locations.

Conclusion

The report provides valuable insights into the current state and future outlook of the Singapore office market. It highlights the importance of understanding market dynamics, economic growth, rental trends, and policy impacts for strategic decision-making in the evolving office landscape of Singapore.

This summary aims to equip stakeholders with crucial information to navigate the office market effectively, ensuring informed business planning and investment decisions.

 Click here for the full report   

Prepared By: 

Mohan Sandrasegeran 

Head of Research & Data Analytics  

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15 Apr 2026
Developer Sales Jump to 1,937 Units in March 2026 on Surge in New Launches

Developer sales staged a strong recovery in March 2026, with a total of 1,937 units sold including Executive Condominiums (ECs), a significant increase from the 266 units transacted in February. This marks the first time this year that monthly sales have crossed the 1,000-unit threshold, signalling a meaningful pickup in primary market activity following the seasonal lull during the Chinese New Year period.

The rebound in sales was largely driven by a corresponding increase in new project launches. Developers released 1,615 units in March, a substantial rise from the limited supply seen in February. Key projects such as Pinery Residences, Rivelle Tampines and River Modern were major contributors, collectively accounting for about 76.9% of total transactions. This highlights a clear trend in the current market environment where buyer demand remains intact, but is closely tied to the timing, quality and positioning of new launches.

The strong performance of these projects reflects how well calibrated offerings continue to resonate with buyers. In particular, Pinery Residences and Rivelle Tampines each recorded over 500 units sold, underscoring the continued strength of demand in the Outside Central Region (OCR), where pricing remains relatively accessible and is supported by first time buyers and upgraders. At the same time, River Modern’s robust take up, with 416 units sold at a median price of about $3,220 psf, points to sustained interest within the Core Central Region (CCR). 

Looking ahead, the momentum observed in March is expected to carry into the coming months, supported by a pipeline of upcoming launches such as Vela Bay and Tengah Garden Residences. As more projects enter the market across both established and emerging precincts, transaction volumes are likely to remain supported by genuine demand, albeit at a more calibrated pace.

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Prepared By:

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Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg

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15 Apr 2026
Hoi Hup Tops Miltonia Close EC Site at $732 psf ppr

The tender for the Executive Condominium site at Miltonia Close has concluded with a total of 3 bidders, with Hoi Hup Realty Pte Ltd emerging as the top bidder with an offer of $340.9 million, translating to $732 psf ppr. While the number of bidders is more selective compared to some earlier tenders, it continues to reflect steady developer interest in well located EC sites, particularly within established residential areas.

The top bid is about 7.8% lower than the recently awarded Woodlands Drive 17 GLS site, which achieved $794 psf ppr. Rather than signalling a pullback, this difference points towards a more measured and calibrated approach by developers. With a growing pipeline of EC sites in the North, including parcels in Woodlands, Sembawang, Canberra Drive and Sembawang Drive, developers are likely pacing their land acquisitions more carefully. This reflects a more forward looking strategy, where developers are balancing immediate opportunities with the need to remain competitive within an expanding supply landscape. 

At the same time, the Miltonia Close site presents a compelling proposition from a locational and lifestyle perspective. Situated near Lower Seletar Reservoir and within a quieter residential enclave, the site is well positioned to appeal to buyers who prioritise a more tranquil and nature oriented living environment. This suggests that the future development may attract a more defined buyer profile, particularly families and genuine owner occupiers, rather than those driven primarily by proximity to MRT connectivity or commercial nodes.

From a broader market perspective, the EC segment continues to be supported by a stable base of upgrader demand, especially from HDB households seeking to transition into private housing in a more accessible manner. This underlying demand has remained resilient, as seen in recent launches such as Rivelle Tampines, which recorded strong take up rates when projects are well positioned in terms of pricing and attributes.

Looking ahead, the EC market is entering a phase of greater supply visibility, following the ramp up in Government Land Sales supply. This is a positive development for the market, as it supports a more balanced and sustainable environment. With a more consistent pipeline of projects, price movements are likely to become more measured and closely aligned with underlying demand fundamentals, rather than being driven by supply constraints.

Overall, the tender outcome reflects a market that is evolving in a more balanced and sustainable manner. While developers remain active, there is a greater emphasis on discipline, positioning and long term planning. At the same time, demand fundamentals for ECs remain intact, supporting the outlook for steady absorption in well located and appropriately priced developments such as Miltonia Close.

 

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Prepared By: 

Mohan Sandrasegeran 

Head of Research & Data Analytics 

  

  

Email:

mohan@sri.com.sg

  

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Kallang Close GLS Draws 4 Bidders with Top Bid of $1,415 psf ppr

The Government Land Sales tender for the Kallang Close site has closed with Frasers Property and Mitsubishi Estate (via MJR Investment) emerging as the top bidder at $1,415 psf ppr, narrowly ahead of City Developments Limited. The relatively tight spread between bids reflects a broadly aligned view among developers on the site’s underlying value and long-term potential. In total, the site attracted 4 bidders, with the outcome broadly in line with recent GLS tenders, including the Tanjong Rhu site which was awarded at $1,455 psf ppr. 

The results point to continued confidence in well-located city fringe sites, although developers remain measured in their bidding approach. The ongoing ramp-up in the GLS programme has contributed to a more visible supply pipeline, allowing developers to adopt a more disciplined stance without the need to bid aggressively for individual sites.

At the same time, rising construction costs driven by geopolitical developments, particularly increases in diesel and bitumen, are beginning to influence development considerations. This has likely been factored into bids, especially for sites like Kallang Close which come with additional infrastructure and placemaking requirements. The presence of joint venture participation also reflects a growing trend of developers partnering to manage costs and risks more effectively. 

Looking ahead, the site is expected to yield about 470 residential units and could tap into underlying demand in the Kallang and Boon Keng area, where new private housing supply has been relatively limited. Over time, the development may contribute to the transformation of the Kallang River corridor into a more vibrant waterfront residential cluster. 

Click

here

for the full report:

Prepared By:

Mohan Sandrasegeran

Head of Research & Data Analytics

Email: mohan@sri.com.sg