As the way we work shifts from traditional to decentralised models, Flex Office solutions are gaining significant ground — whether through coworking operators or landlord-led flexible offerings. This is one of the key conclusions of THE NEW DESIGN OF WORK, the office conference organised on 6 May by Bucharest Real Estate Club and Romania Property Club.
Data from iO Partners highlights a diversification of occupancy strategies, identifying five distinct working models adapted to the new economic realities. “While the Office Centric model assumes office presence of up to 75% — with a strong 70% focus on individual work — the market is witnessing a paradigm shift among organisations with lower utilisation rates. Companies recording office presence below the 30–45% threshold are already transitioning towards flexible options, optimising space by adjusting the sharing ratio and prioritising social interaction over static workstations,” explains Laura Ene, Senior Consultant, Tenant Representation, iO Partners. On the rents side, iO Partners data shows that in Bucharest rates range between €15–22 per sqm per month, while in regional centres — Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași and Brașov — they sit between €12.5 and €17 per sqm. The lowest vacancy rate is recorded in Brașov at 6.7%, while Iași leads at 13.3%; Bucharest stands at 10.3%. Between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, approximately 300,000 sqm were transacted in Bucharest and 51,000 sqm in regional centres, with Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara and Iași being the most active markets.
Vastint is currently developing the largest office construction site in Bucharest — the second phase of Timpuri Noi Square, spanning 60,000 sqm. “The new building is designed as a landmark project that eliminates fossil fuels and relies entirely on renewable energy sources, including 1,700 sqm of photovoltaic panels, heat pumps and geothermal wells. Our goal is to achieve LEED Platinum certification at the highest level — above 100 points. Phase 2 also introduces an expanded retail mix, including New Tales — a unique concept set to combine a diverse food and beverage offer with cultural services across approximately 6,000 sqm,” says Maria Badea, Senior Leasing Manager, Vastint Romania.
CPI Property Group Romania manages an office portfolio of 280,000 sqm, representing 8% of Bucharest’s modern stock. The portfolio has been significantly strengthened through the expansion of medical and healthcare assets — buildings such as Iride Eighteen, myhive Victoria Park and Băneasa Airport Tower have been partially or fully converted into medical spaces, now hosting private healthcare operators including Provita, Leventer Medical Group and Regina Maria. “For us, this move not only diversified our tenant mix, but also increased stability and predictability, improved utilisation rates in a hybrid working context, enhanced asset value and occupancy — and, not least, created a clear differentiation from the competition,” explains Andreea Cotigă, Head of Leasing Office, CPI Property Group Romania.
The concept of coworking and flexible office spaces has evolved considerably — from being primarily associated with startups and freelancers to gaining broad adoption among large enterprise companies. “Flexible office spaces and managed offices are becoming an increasingly common choice for companies at a certain stage of their evolution, when the need for adaptability and scalability becomes essential. These solutions allow them to avoid long-term lease commitments, optimise fixed costs and integrate flexibility as a strategic component of their real estate portfolio — not merely a temporary fix,” says Andreea Birladeanu, General Manager, Mindspace Romania, one of the leading players in the flexible workspace market, operating two major hubs in key areas of Bucharest: Mindspace Business District in the Dimitrie Pompeiu area, and Mindspace Victoriei in the central zone.
Ana-Maria Nemțanu, Director of Leasing, Hagag Development Europe, adds: “We are seeing sustained demand for boutique office spaces, particularly in premium central locations where accessibility, design quality and the amenities mix play an essential role in occupancy decisions. Flexibility and service integration are becoming increasingly relevant criteria for tenants, which sustains strong interest in fully serviced private office concepts. A clear example is H Private Arghezi, our business centre in the CBD, which reached 89% occupancy in April, supported by a retention rate of nearly 95%. At the same time, we are observing a natural growth path among tenants, with some migrating from serviced spaces to conventional areas within our portfolio — confirming both the appeal of the product and the importance of services and long-term relationships.”
