Flexible by Design: How CRE Leaders Are Optimising Portfolios for Hybrid Work
Corporate real estate is evolving. Long-term leases and static office assets are giving way to agile, demand-led networks of workspaces that adapt to changing business needs. For CRE leaders, flexibility isn’t just operational—it’s financial, strategic, and essential for supporting hybrid work and distributed teams.
IWG research, drawing on insights from 2026: The View from the C-Suite, shows that companies embracing flexible workspaces are reducing costs, optimising portfolios, and unlocking the ability to respond quickly to market shifts.
From Fixed Assets to Flexible Portfolios
Traditional real estate strategies focus on owning or leasing a fixed portfolio of space, often leading to inefficiencies in cost, utilisation, and sustainability. Today, CRE leaders are shifting to a mix of central HQs, local flexible offices, and coworking memberships.
This “Work from an Office” model enables employees to work where it’s most convenient and productive, while helping organisations better align real estate decisions with demand and risk, as they:
- Reduce underutilisation and vacancy risk
- Convert fixed costs into variable, optimised spend
- Align office capacity with real-time demand
Flexible portfolios also allow CRE teams to scale up or down quickly, responding to talent distribution, business expansion, or regional shifts without the constraints of long-term leases.
Optimising Hybrid Work and Talent
2026 is the year of platform working. Over 80% of CEOs report enabling employees to work from multiple locations, balancing home, central offices, and local flexible workspaces. This approach doesn’t just improve employee satisfaction—it also drives measurable business impact:
- Shorter commutes boost productivity and wellbeing
- Access to multiple locations expands the talent pool
- Flexible work supports retention, particularly of caregivers and working parents
By integrating flexible spaces into their portfolios, CRE leaders can reduce real estate costs by up to 55%, while simultaneously supporting hybrid work models that attract and retain top talent.
Smarter Allocation, Better Outcomes
Flexible CRE strategy isn’t just about cost savings; it’s about smarter allocation of space and capital. By freeing up capital previously tied to long-term leases, organisations can invest in growth initiatives, technology, and AI solutions that further enhance productivity and competitiveness.
Research from IWG shows that flexible work arrangements:
- Boost productivity by up to 11%
- Reduce attrition risk and protect key talent
- Enable a healthier, more engaged workforce
This is the new ROI of corporate real estate: spaces that adapt to the business, support employees, and improve financial performance.
The Bottom Line for CRE Leaders
For real estate teams, flexibility is no longer optional; it’s strategic. A network of flexible workspaces allows companies to optimise portfolios, control costs, and stay agile in uncertain markets.
IWG is partnering with organisations worldwide to create future-ready CRE portfolios, offering flexible workspace networks that scale globally while adapting locally.
See how CRE leaders are building flexible, future-ready portfolios. Reach out to our team to explore IWG solutions that fit your business, your teams, and your strategy.
