The New Office Economy: How Smart Buildings and Grade A Offices Are Becoming Corporate Priorities
By Mr. Sanchit Bhutani, Managing Director, Group 108
There was a time when office leasing decisions were driven largely by location, rentals and the amount of space a company required. Those factors still matter, but they no longer define the entire decision. Over the past few years, the role of the workplace has changed. Companies are now looking at offices not only as places where employees work, but as environments that can influence productivity, employee experience and organisational culture.
This shift is changing what businesses expect from commercial buildings. Companies are not necessarily looking for more office space; they are looking for better office space. Features such as smart building management systems, energy-efficient infrastructure, digital security, healthier indoor environments and wellness-focused design are moving beyond being premium additions. They are becoming important considerations for occupiers evaluating Grade A developments.
The market is already responding to these expectations. According to CBRE, India recorded 24.6 million sq. ft. of office leasing in Q2 2026, while 76% of new office completions during the quarter were green-certified. Together, these trends suggest that businesses are becoming more selective about the quality of the spaces they lease rather than simply expanding their office footprint.
This shift is becoming more visible in markets that already have a strong base of Grade A developments and supporting infrastructure. Locations that have steadily built a strong inventory of Grade A developments alongside supporting infrastructure are naturally better placed to attract corporate demand. Across Delhi NCR, the conversation is gradually moving beyond connectivity alone towards commercial districts that offer a more complete business ecosystem.
Noida’s commercial growth has closely followed its infrastructure development. As the city added new Grade A office projects, investments in metro connectivity and road infrastructure improved access to these commercial districts. According to JLL, 61% of Delhi NCR’s new office supply in Q1 2026 was concentrated in Noida, reflecting the city’s expanding commercial base.
Within the city, Sector 142 on the Noida Expressway tells this story particularly well. Its appeal today is not based on a single office project or one infrastructure upgrade. Its growth has been supported by premium Grade A developments, direct Aqua Line Metro connectivity, access to the Noida Expressway and nearby residential catchments. Together, these factors have created the kind of commercial ecosystem that many occupiers now look for when evaluating office locations. The focus is no longer only on securing office space but on choosing an environment that supports business operations and employee convenience over the long term. The city’s commercial story is also beginning to extend beyond its established office districts. As locations such as Techzone 4 continue to develop alongside improvements in regional infrastructure, businesses are likely to have a wider choice of Grade A office destinations over the coming years. Rather than relying on a handful of commercial hubs, Noida is gradually building a more diverse office market.
A similar shift is visible in how occupiers evaluate office locations. Earlier, the building itself was often the primary consideration. Today, companies are equally interested in everything around it, from connectivity and residential catchments to the overall business environment. That broader approach is likely to shape where the next wave of commercial demand is concentrated.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are those of the author, and not necessarily of Realty&More.
