The average decline in per capita office space since 2000 in Europe was 1.0%, according to Catella Research, although this value hides large differences. For example, office workers moved closer together through a contraction of space in Helsinki (-12.3%), followed by London (-8.8%) and Stockholm (-7.4%).

However the reduction of workspace per office employee is not borne out in all European cities, with gains in Frankfurt (+ 1.2%), Madrid (+ 21.5%), Barcelona (+ 3.3%) and Lyon (+ 7.4%) for example.

“The often-quoted space efficiency is more than just compression. Fewer square metres per employee are considered to be the future trend in the analysis. This development is promoted, particularly, by innovation and behavioural changes, and will have structural effects. One key concept is that the location of future working spaces defines their attractiveness,” says Dr. Thomas Beyerle, Head of Group Research at Catella.