Adaptive Spaces

2026 Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights

This four-part series offers timely guidance for organizations seeking to align their workplace with business goals and corporate culture.

January 20, 2026 5 Minute Read

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About the Series

CBRE’s 2026 Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights is a four-part series that explores the hybrid workplace, offering a data-driven roadmap for organizations adapting their real estate, operations and culture.

The series covers hybrid's evolution: designing a connected employee experience, aligning leadership and employee expectations, leveraging AI and technology for space optimization and preparing CRE professionals for the future of work. The goal: building a thriving hybrid workplace.

The 2026 Global Workplace & Occupancy Insights summarize five years of office benchmarking and sentiment surveys on how CBRE clients have adapted their office environments since 2021. The study examines global data from CBRE clients representing 303 million sq. ft./28 million sq. m., with an average office portfolio size of 5 million sq. ft., and delivers insights by portfolio size, industry/sector and region/geography.

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Part 1

The Hybrid Reality: Why the Office Is More Important Than Ever

The office is experiencing a resurgence, supported by hybrid work. Utilization is up, soaring to 53% (vs. 38% in 2024 and 35% in 2023). Organizations are adopting proactive strategies that leverage space, control costs and improve employee experience. This article, backed by our latest data, reveals the evolving office landscape, key challenges and the critical metrics for success.
Explore Part 1
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Part 2

Beyond the Desk: How to Design Offices That Draw Employees In

We delve into the art of designing offices that truly attract. The aim is to create destinations, not just workstations, by prioritizing experiences that foster collaboration and community. The data is clear: The most important reason employees come into the office is to collaborate with colleagues, cited by 68% of respondents. This underscores the critical role of thoughtful planning in shaping the future of work.

Explore Part 2
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Part 3

Data at the Heart of Hybrid: Leveraging AI & Tech to Optimize the Workplace

The future of the hybrid workplace hinges on data and technology. Here, we examine how organizations are leveraging AI and analytics to optimize space, monitor utilization and make informed decisions. However, the path to AI integration isn't without hurdles. The biggest challenges are data quality issues and the lack of expertise, cited by 55% of respondents.

Part 3 Coming Soon​
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Part 4

The Hybrid Horizon: Shaping the Workplace of Tomorrow

We explore the long-term implications of these trends. This forward-looking perspective emphasizes the need for continuous adaptation, balancing efficiency with employee experience, and embracing innovation. As organizations navigate this evolving landscape, the most common goal of CRE teams, according to 80% of respondents, is to optimize portfolios. The future of work demands a proactive approach, and a new skillset for CRE professionals.

Part 4 Coming Soon​