Understanding the Local Office Market from an MNC Perspective

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Understanding the Local Office Market from an MNC Perspective

For multinational companies, managing office spaces in markets like the Philippines can be complex. The landscape continues to change due to new work models, shifting business priorities, and evolving employee expectations. If your lease is ending soon or you’re thinking about relocating, the decision goes beyond just space. It’s a strategic choice that can influence operations and long-term performance. In this blog, we guide you through the stay-versus-go decision process, offering expert insights to help you choose the best path for your company’s evolving needs.

What MNCs Should Know About the Local Market

Multinational companies often face additional layers when making real estate decisions. They need to balance global policies with local realities and ensure regional offices meet broader business goals. In the Philippines, the office market continues to evolve. Many companies are relocating to newer, higher-quality buildings. 

The decision is often between choosing major central business districts like Makati, Ortigas, and Bonifacio Global City (BGC), or moving to secondary markets such as Bay Area (Pasay and Parañaque), Arca South, Alabang, and Clark in Pampanga. Major CBDs are attractive because of their established infrastructure, strong business ecosystems, proximity to headquarters of major firms, and access to a deep talent pool. They offer prestige, convenience, and are often aligned with global standards and client-facing operations. Meanwhile, secondary markets appeal to companies looking for cost efficiency, less congestion, and locations closer to home. These areas also offer access to modern, sustainable buildings within mixed-use communities. Each of these options offers distinct advantages tailored to different business needs. 

Understanding current trends is crucial. It helps you identify where companies are moving, how rental rates are shifting, and what types of locations may better support your team. Having the right perspective on the local market enables you to make smarter, more strategic real estate decisions.

Looking beyond numbers

How do you know when it’s a good time to assess your current workspace? At least a year before a lease expires should be ample time to reassess whether your current space still works for you and your company’s needs. The decision is more than just choosing to renew or move. It is about making sure your space continues to support your people, your operations, and your business goals.

Beyond the numbers, always consider how accessibility, building quality, and available amenities impact and suit the way your people work. These factors all affect productivity, morale, and long-term value. Taking time to evaluate your options carefully can help you make a smarter move that supports both your current situation and plans.

Your Trusted CRE Partner

Santos Knight Frank, through its Occupier Strategy & Solutions team, offers workplace consultancy services designed to help CREs establish their next business move.

Through this process, our team provides market comparisons, trend analysis, and strategic advice based on real data. Our team helps you see how your current lease compares with other available options. Our team also assesses how your office supports collaboration, team performance, and future growth. The result is a clear, informed view of what staying or moving could look like for your company.

Making an Informed Decision

In the end, staying in your current office might be the right move. Or it might make more sense to relocate. What matters is having the information and insight to choose with confidence.

Let us help you make that informed choice. At Santos Knight Frank, we are committed to helping you make the decision based on what works best for your business today and in the years ahead. Reach us at +63 917 806 6315 or email at inquiry@santos.knightfrank.ph.

• Tags:
• Commercial Real Estate Philippines
• office space
• lease renewal
• workplace strategy
• Occupier Strategy & Solutions
• consultancy services
• market analysis real estate

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About Santos Knight Frank

The world of real estate can be a difficult place to navigate. Whether property is your investment or a tool that drives your business success, you need a partner who can guide you in every step of the way.

Since 1994, Santos Knight Frank has been guiding Fortune 1000 companies, BPOs, private clients, and institutions in all facets of real estate. We advise companies on their best office, retail, and industrial location, oversee commercial fit-out projects, and manage facilities. We have facilitated over 4 million sqm of office transactions on behalf of clients and managed over 40 million sqm of real estate under our property & facilities management arm.

Our residential brokerage platform and wide collection of bespoke homes allow our private clients to buy, lease, and sell properties within their budget, timeline, and lifestyle.

For landlords and investors, we provide valuations and appraisal, consultancy and research, sales and leasing, and property management services across the Philippines.

Santos Knight Frank is part of the global Knight Frank network of over 384 offices in 51 markets, including the strategically important U.S. partnerships with Cresa (commercial real estate) and Douglas Elliman (residential real estate).

We are locally expert and globally connected, end-to-end and best-in-class – as any great partner in property should be.