Despite macroeconomic uncertainty dampening demand for office space in Singapore’s Central Business District, Grade A office rents showed a modest growth of 1.0% in the first quarter of 2023. According to JLL Singapore’s research, the gross effective rent for CBD Grade A office spaces rose on a quarterly basis to an average of $11.30 psf pm.
This is the second consecutive quarter of slowing growth following five quarters of consecutive growth, which Andrew Tangye, JLL Singapore’s head of office leasing and advisory, attributes to companies pausing their expansion and relocation plans.
Tay Huey Ying, JLL Singapore’s head of research and consultancy, notes that despite the current caution in sentiment, the scarcity of Grade A office space has prompted some companies to upgrade offices to better quality spaces in recent or soon-to-be-completed projects. This includes Munich Re and Corney & Barrow, who respectively took up two floors in 18 Cross Street …