Singapore’s office market showed resilience in Q1 2026, with rents rising and occupancy tightening in prime CBD areas, despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.
Prime CBD Rents Edge Higher
Office rents in the Raffles Place / Marina Bay precinct increased 0.7% QoQ to S$11.57 psf/month, supported by strong demand for premium space.
- Occupancy surged to 97%, up 1.3 ppt QoQ and 2.0 ppt YoY
- Overall CBD occupancy remained healthy at 94.7%
This reflects continued preference for high-quality Grade A office assets.
Flight to Quality Drives Demand
Leasing activity remains concentrated in newer and higher-grade buildings, driven by:
- Renewals and upgrades
- Corporate consolidation strategies
- Demand for modern, efficient workspaces
This “flight to quality” trend is supporting rental resilience in prime districts.
Decentralised Offices Face Pressure
In contrast, fringe and decentralised office locations are showing early signs of weakness:
- Tenants exploring moves into CBD Grade A space
- Rising vacancy pressure in non-core areas
However, locations like Buona Vista and Alexandra continue to attract cost-sensitive occupiers.
Supply Pipeline to Watch
The market faces a moderate supply pipeline, with ~3.5 million sq ft of new space expected between 2026 and 2029.
Key upcoming projects include:
- 2026: Shaw Tower, Solitaire on Cecil
- 2027: Newport Tower
- 2028: The Skywaters, Singtel Comcentre redevelopment, Union Square Central
- 2029: One Sophia
This could cap rental growth in the medium term, particularly around 2028.
Outlook: Moderate Growth with External Risks
Knight Frank forecasts rental growth of 3%–5% in 2026, supported by Singapore’s role as a regional headquarters hub.
However, risks remain:
- Energy price volatility
- Geopolitical tensions
- Future supply additions
Investor Takeaways
- CBD office rents rose 0.7% QoQ, with Raffles Place/Marina Bay occupancy at 97%.
- Demand is driven by a flight to quality toward Grade A buildings.
- Decentralised offices face rising vacancy pressure.
- Upcoming supply (~3.5m sq ft) may moderate future rental growth.
- 2026 outlook remains positive with 3%–5% rental growth, but subject to macro risks.
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