From demand patterns to evolving corporate real estate strategies, explore five major post-pandemic shifts transforming workspaces across global markets.
The global conversation around work—where, when, and how it happens—has been in flux since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago. From bold statements in 2020-21 that “the office is dead” to the rise of return-to-office mandates in 2025, the construct of and conversation around work is as top-of-mind now as it was in spring 2020.
What we have seen is that no matter where work happens, flexible workspace is now at the heart of workplace strategy, with businesses leveraging agility and adaptability to meet changing workforce needs.
As the leading independent flexible workspace marketplace, we at Instant have spent over 25 years helping companies navigate workspace solutions. Analyzing trends across key markets, we’ve identified five major shifts in the post-pandemic workspace landscape, highlighting how demand patterns, space utilization, and corporate real estate strategies have transformed globally.
1. Major Cities Remain Vital Hubs for Collaboration
While traditional business hubs continue to dominate, the geography of flex workspace demand has shifted. While major cities remain important hubs for collaboration, work is now also increasingly carried out locally, in suburbs and smaller towns outside city centers.
In the U.S., New York City remains the top flex market on a square-foot basis, ranking #8 globally for flexible workspace in 2024, according to our data. However, the list of top U.S. flex markets has evolved since 2019, with cities like Miami, Austin, and Raleigh experiencing substantial growth. Miami is the fastest-growing U.S. city in the top 10, as more businesses are increasing their Florida presence and interest in flex workspace is rising as a result.
Meanwhile, in the UK, London remains a key flex market, with suburban locations and smaller towns experiencing notable growth. Demand has surged in areas like Uxbridge (+88%), Slough (+42%), and Romford (+37%), while cities such as Oxford (+36%), Leicester (+25%), and Southampton (+15%) are also seeing strong increases.
In APAC, demand growth has been similarly dynamic but varied. Larger cities took longer to recover, while emerging work hubs flourished. The Sunshine Coast saw demand for flexible workspace rise by an incredible 212% in 2024 compared to 2019, while the Gold Coast grew by 25%. In Asia, demand surged in Manila (+204%), Bangalore (+181%), and Seoul (+147%), reflecting the region's accelerating embrace of flexible work models.
2. The Rise of Lifestyle and Suburban Markets
The shift towards suburban and lifestyle cities is evident worldwide. In the U.S., cities that offer a better quality of life and lower living costs—such as Miami (+153%), Raleigh (+144%), and Seattle (+57%)—have become increasingly attractive for businesses and professionals. Interestingly, demand for flex space in suburbs such as Fairfield County, CT (+38%) and Morris County, NJ (+33%) has surged as businesses embrace hybrid models. Similarly, demand in Solihull (+73%) in England Livingston (+12%) in Scotland demonstrate how suburban markets are flourishing.
This trend is even more pronounced in APAC, where the pandemic reshaped working patterns. Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast transitioned from holiday destinations to business hubs, reflecting a broader demand shift toward live-work-play environments. The highest demand growth was seen in Maroochydore and Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast, and Bundall, Surfers Paradise, and Southport on the Gold Coast.
This decentralization benefits local economies, increasing foot traffic and retaining spending within smaller communities.
3. Onsite is the New Offsite: The Evolution of HQ and Meeting Spaces
As work becomes more dispersed, traditional headquarters are being reimagined. Companies are repurposing central offices for training sessions, town halls, and collaborative meetings, while demand for suburban workspaces grows.
Short-stay flex solutions are also gaining traction. Instant’s 2024 Global Partner Survey Report found that operators anticipate an increase in demand for the following products:
- 91% anticipate an increase in demand for meeting rooms
- 73% anticipate an increase in demand for event spaces
- 64% anticipate an increase in demand for coworking desks
Across APAC, longer-term confidence in flex is evident. Contract term lengths in the region increased by 26% in 2024 compared to 2019, signaling a real shift and trust in flex.
4. Corporate Are Investing in Flex, With Larger Deals and Longer Terms
The role of flexible workspace in corporate real estate has expanded, with companies seeking agility, scalability, and financial efficiency. Instant has observed a 41% global increase in flex transaction sizes since 2019. In the U.S., the most significant transaction size growth has been recorded in Miami (+353%), Seattle (+220%), Mexico City (+192%), and Boston (+116%).
In the UK, average flex space sizes have grown 22% since 2019, with even sharper increases in Manchester (+58%), London (+41%), and Liverpool (+30%). Meanwhile, global flex term lengths have risen by 4%, and in the Americas, by 10%, signaling greater corporate confidence in flexible workspace solutions.
APAC, however, leads this trend, with transaction sizes rising by a staggering 82% in 2024 compared to 2019. Mumbai saw the most dramatic increase (+633%), followed by Kuala Lumpur (+333%), Shanghai (+277%), Jakarta (+171%), and Sydney (+126%). Larger corporations in APAC, previously tied to long-term leases, are now embracing agile, flexible work models for the long term.
5. Expansion and Investment Are on the Horizon
As businesses refine their real estate strategies, the future of flex is set for rapid expansion. Instant’s research reveals that:
- 60% of UK landlords expect over 30% of their portfolio to offer flex products by 2030
- 80% of existing flex operators plan to expand by 2026
- The global supply of flex space has grown 15% since 2019, compared to 4% in the UK, indicating room for accelerated expansion
Sustainability is also a growing focus, particularly in APAC. Interest in operators awarded Instant’s Sustainability Index badge—recognizing them as sustainable data providers—rose by 500% in Q4 2024 compared to Q4 2023. With companies prioritizing green-certified buildings, the push for environmentally responsible workspace solutions is intensifying.
Looking Ahead
The flexible workspace market has undergone a significant transformation over the past five years, with decentralization, corporate adoption, and a shift toward hybrid working shaping the industry.
Return-to-office mandates are often more nuanced than media headlines suggest, typically requiring two to four days in the office rather than full-time attendance, and with people working from a network of locations rather than one central business district headquarter. As such, the market will continue to fragment and demand for office space in all its forms will fluctuate as corporations refine their hybrid work policies.
