How Indian Real Estate Is Powering GCC Growth
While access to talent and cost advantages remain key drivers, India's dynamic real estate sector is a crucial factor enabling this growth. From developing world-class business parks to offering modern, tech-enabled workspaces, Indian real estate plays a pivotal role in the GCC growth story.
In this blog, we will uncover the role of the real estate market in the GCC growth of India. From the rising demand for modern office spaces to key market shifts and game-changing trends shaping the future of work — we’ve got it all covered. Plus, discover how government policies are fueling this growth.
Ready to explore how India is becoming the global hotspot for GCCs? Let’s dive in!
Market Insights: GCCs Driving Office Space Demand
The rising demand for specialised services such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation is fueling the growth of GCCs in India. According to the CBRE Report (2024), GCCs accounted for 44% of India's total office space take-up in Q3 2024.
Between 2022 and H1 2024, GCCs leased an impressive 53 million square feet of office space across major Indian cities, underscoring their expanding footprint. Notably, many FORTUNE 500 GCCs are now exploring emerging markets within India, further solidifying the country’s position as a global GCC destination.
In response, the Indian real estate market is proactively developing modern, flexible office spaces that meet the unique needs of these centers, such as scale, collaboration, and increased productivity.
Real Estate Trends Shaping the GCC Ecosystem
Real estate trends shaping the GCC ecosystem are outlined below.
1. Surge in Grade A Office Spaces
The growing need for high-quality, well-located office spaces has driven real estate developers to invest heavily in building Grade A business parks, IT parks, and SEZs (Special Economic Zones) catering to global companies.
These spaces are designed with advanced infrastructure, large floor plates, robust connectivity, and future-ready amenities — perfectly suited for GCCs operating across domains like R&D, AI, digital transformation, and data analytics. Cities like Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, Hyderabad’s Financial District, and Pune’s Hinjawadi have emerged as prime destinations offering such Grade A environments.
These premium spaces are not just about aesthetics — they also prioritise safety, energy efficiency, and global compliance standards, making them ideal for MNCs looking for long-term operational hubs.
2. Growth of Serviced Offices and Coworking Spaces
The rise of hybrid work models and the need for agility in scaling operations have made flexible workspaces, such as serviced offices and coworking spaces, increasingly popular among GCCs.
Many global companies now prefer leasing fully managed offices with pre-fitted interiors, tech-enabled meeting rooms, collaboration zones, and operational support. This allows them to focus on core business functions without worrying about infrastructure.
The Indian market has responded with a surge in operators offering built-to-suit, plug-and-play, and enterprise-grade coworking spaces. Cities like Bengaluru, Gurugram, and Hyderabad are witnessing significant demand for such solutions, especially among tech GCCs, fintech players, and digital transformation teams. This trend will grow as GCCs seek cost-efficient, scalable, and experience-driven workplaces.
3. Emerging GCC Clusters in Tier-2 Cities
While metros like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, and Gurugram remain the primary GCC hotspots, Tier-2 cities quickly catch up as attractive alternatives due to lower operational costs, growing talent pools, and improving infrastructure.
Cities such as Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, and Chandigarh are emerging as new GCC clusters, especially for non-tech operations, shared services, and specialised centres of excellence.
Real estate developers are responding by expanding commercial supply in these cities, building IT parks, integrated campuses, and SEZs with modern amenities. The move towards Tier-2 cities also aligns with many companies' diversification and de-risking strategies — spreading operations beyond traditional metro hubs.
This shift is expanding India’s GCC footprint and creating new economic opportunities in these emerging cities.
4. Focus on Sustainable and Smart Buildings
Sustainability and smart infrastructure have become major priorities for GCCs, driven by global sESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mandates and the need for operational efficiency.
Indian real estate developers increasingly incorporate green building certifications (LEED, IGBC), energy-efficient designs, renewable energy solutions, and smart building technologies into new commercial developments. Features like automated energy management systems, air quality monitoring, and water recycling are becoming standard in top-grade office parks.
This trend helps GCCs reduce their carbon footprint, enhance workplace wellness, and future-proof operations against evolving global standards. Office spaces listed on Office Hub are examples of spaces leading this sustainable real estate movement.
With sustainability gaining boardroom attention, this trend is expected to drive the next wave of real estate investments supporting GCC growth in India.
Indian Real Estate Benefits for GCCs
Indian real estate plays a vital role in supporting the growth of Global Capability Centers (GCCs). Below are the roles of real estate in the GCC growth of India.
1. Access to World-Class Office Infrastructure
Indian real estate offers GCCs a wide range of Grade A office spaces, tech parks, SEZs, and R&D facilities designed to meet global standards. These spaces have future-ready infrastructure, large floor plates, sustainability certifications, and employee-centric amenities, enabling companies to create productive and collaborative work environments.
2. Supportive Policy and Regulatory Environment
The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to make the real estate sector more transparent and investor-friendly. The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) of 2016 ensures accountability and the timely delivery of commercial projects. Additionally, the relaxation of FDI norms has attracted significant foreign investments, creating a favourable environment for global companies setting up GCCs.
3. Growing Presence in Emerging Cities
Beyond the metros, real estate development in Tier-2 cities like Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Kochi, and Bhubaneswar is expanding rapidly. These cities offer cost advantages, talent availability, and improving infrastructure, making them attractive destinations for GCCs seeking operational diversification and growth beyond traditional hubs.
4. Enabling Scalable and Flexible Growth
With the rise of flexible work models, Indian real estate is evolving to offer managed workspaces, co-working solutions, and build-to-suit campuses that allow GCCs to scale operations quickly and efficiently. This flexibility helps global companies adapt to changing business needs without long-term capital commitments, ensuring operational agility.
Indian Government’s Role in GCC Real Estate Development
The role of the Indian government in GCC real estate development is highlighted below.
1. National Policy Initiatives Driving Real Estate Demand
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is drafting a comprehensive GCC policy to offer global companies fresh incentives. A major highlight is the plan to promote GCC expansions into smaller cities by developing dedicated office zones. This policy shift will significantly increase demand for high-quality office spaces, tech parks, and commercial real estate in emerging locations.
2. Encouraging Specialised Office Infrastructure
The upcoming policy promotes GCCs in niche sectors like healthcare, finance, and artificial intelligence. This targeted approach is expected to create demand for specialised real estate infrastructure designed for specific industries. This will lead to the rise of customised office spaces and innovation hubs across new geographies.
3. State-Level Policies Boosting Real Estate Growth
Many Indian states have launched GCC-specific policies that directly impact commercial real estate. For example:
- Karnataka introduced rental reimbursements, funding for innovation labs, and skilling support, creating demand for modern office spaces and tech parks.
- +Uttar Pradesh offers fiscal incentives, including 100% stamp duty exemptions, encouraging the development of large office campuses and SEZs.
- Maharashtra is focusing on building technology parks and expanding reliable infrastructure to attract GCC investments.
These central and state policies drive demand for Grade A office spaces, coworking hubs, and managed office solutions. As GCCs expand beyond metros, India’s commercial real estate sector is set to witness robust growth, especially in emerging business districts designed to support global operations.
The Importance of Modern Office Spaces in GCC Growth
As GCCs evolve from traditional support functions to high-value innovation hubs, the demand for modern, future-ready office spaces has skyrocketed. Here are the details:
1. Talent Attraction & Retention
With intense competition for skilled talent, GCCs rely on premium office spaces with modern amenities, ergonomic designs, wellness zones, and collaborative work areas. These work environments help enhance employee experience and attract top-tier talent.
2. Technology & Flexibility
Modern workspaces integrate advanced technology infrastructure, smart building systems, and flexible layouts for hybrid work models. This flexibility is crucial for global teams operating across time zones and work styles.
3. Sustainability & Wellness
Global enterprises are prioritising green-certified buildings, energy efficiency, and health-focused designs. Indian developers are incorporating these elements, ensuring the new-age offices meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
4. Brand Image & Global Standards
A modern, well-designed office space enhances a GCC’s brand image and global positioning. It reflects the organisation’s commitment to innovation, employee well-being, and world-class operations. These are essential factors when competing for global projects and leadership roles within the parent company.
Find Your Ideal Office Space with Office Hub!
India’s booming GCC ecosystem is reshaping the real estate landscape, driving demand for flexible office spaces supporting innovation, collaboration, and rapid expansion. As more global companies set up their capability centres, the need for well-equipped workspaces in emerging cities continues to rise.
Finding the right space is crucial if your business wants to establish or expand a GCC in India. That’s where Office Hub comes in! We offer a wide range of coworking spaces, serviced spaces, and virtual offices designed to meet the unique needs of global businesses.
Whether you need a tech-enabled office, scalable workspaces, or prime locations close to talent and transport hubs, we’ve got you covered. Our team will help you navigate the market and find a space that perfectly aligns with your business goals.
Contact Office Hub today and explore office space options that support your GCC journey and growth in India.
