Pune has established itself as a prominent co-working hub in India, ranking second in the country for office space collaboration transactions. Between 2018 and September of this year, Pune recorded 123 transactions, driven by a rising preference among companies for flexible co-working environments over standalone offices. Knight Frank's report covering eight major metropolitan cities reveals that Pune's growing co-working market is part of a larger trend nationwide. Bangalore remains the leader, yet Pune's substantial growth highlights the city's pivotal role in India's evolving office space sector.
Pune is solidifying its position as a leading co-working hub in India, achieving the second-highest number of office space collaboration transactions across the country. The past few years have seen a substantial rise in the popularity of co-working spaces in Pune, driven by a shift in business needs that has led to a surge in office space collaboration transactions. From 2018 until the close of September this year, Pune recorded 123 such transactions, cementing its place as the country's second-largest city in terms of office space usage.
The findings, detailed in a recent report by Knight Frank, are based on an analysis of office space collaborations across eight of India's metropolitan hubs: Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The report highlighted a significant trend where companies are increasingly opting for co-working spaces rather than establishing standalone offices. This trend has prompted several large organisations to develop co-working solutions that serve multiple clients simultaneously, allowing companies to benefit from a more flexible and cost-effective workspace model. According to the report, a total of 912 office space collaboration transactions were recorded across India from 2018 through the end of September this year. Bangalore led the list with 257 transactions, capturing 28% of the national total, followed by Pune with its 123 transactions.
In addition to total transactions, the report provided insights into the varying sizes of these office collaborations. It indicated that during this period, the eight cities saw a combined total of 153 large-scale office collaborations, defined as spaces exceeding 80,000 square feet. Among these, Bangalore accounted for 47 of the large transactions, while Pune recorded 30. Medium-sized transactions, ranging between 40,000 and 80,000 square feet, totalled 208 across the cities, with Bangalore again leading with 60 deals and Pune following with 33. Smaller-scale collaborations, defined as spaces up to 40,000 square feet, were the most common, with a total of 551 transactions. Bangalore led in this category as well, with 150 transactions, while Pune accounted for 60.
The report further underscored that the demand for co-working spaces is not limited to start-ups or small businesses; many established companies are turning to co-working spaces as a flexible solution to reduce overheads and meet the changing expectations of their workforce. As a result, Pune's office space market has evolved, with major co-working operators expanding their footprints in the city, catering to industries as diverse as technology, consulting, and finance. This trend is reshaping Pune's commercial real estate landscape, making it a focal point for companies seeking adaptable and collaborative work environments.
The data from Knight Frank reinforces the shifting dynamics in India's office space sector, with co-working increasingly seen as a viable, long-term solution for businesses of all sizes. The growth trajectory in Pune's co-working sector reflects broader shifts in workplace culture and real estate strategy across India, highlighting the city's potential to play a crucial role in the future of flexible workspace solutions nationwide.
The rise of Pune as a key player in India's co-working sector underscores a shift in office space trends, with flexibility and collaboration taking centre stage. Companies across industries are increasingly embracing co-working spaces to adapt to changing workforce needs and reduce operational costs. Pune's office market is thus evolving into a hub for adaptable workspace solutions, with demand continuing to grow. This trend is transforming the city's commercial real estate landscape and positioning it as a major destination for innovative and collaborative office environments.