Firms to expand workspaces amidst work-from-home: report

Some companies plan to reduce office space due to flexible working arrangements.

The implementation of work-from-home (WFH) measures by companies brought by the COVID-19 pandemic has seen different effects on their physical workspaces, according to a press digest by Savills.

The report said some firms are moving into larger workspaces despite WFH measures.

Gaming firm Razer’s new Southeast Asia headquarters will be ready by Q1 next year. The seven-storey building, spanning close to 208,000 square feet, will include office space, research and development labs, and design studios.

UBS Group’s move to the former Park Mall site last month is also said to be on track, with around 3,000 employees from different departments based there.

Moreover, companies like Foodpanda and Amazon are doing their expansion next year. Foodpanda will be moving to the Afro-Asia i-Mark building, whilst Amazon is reportedly taking over three floors at Asia Square Tower 1.

Meanwhile, some firms are planning to reduce their physical workspace as most employees prefer flexible working arrangements and can do WFH effectively.

Sompo Insurance, which used to occupy two full floors on the Singapore Land Tower, has reduced 40% of its office space.

The digest also cited media reports saying that Aviva, Citigroup, and Mizuho Financial Group in Singapore are exploring the possibility of reducing office space.