As India’s GCCs shift from support roles to strategic hubs, real estate must evolve beyond infrastructure. This article explores how flexible, tech-enabled, and people-centric workspaces are becoming core to GCC growth, talent retention, and enterprise continuity in India’s top business cities.
The footprint of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) has expanded far beyond traditional outsourcing models. These centres are now responsible for high-value functions across data science, supply chain, design, and R&D. As they take on broader mandates, the role of real estate shifts from infrastructure to a strategic tool.
India leads this shift. As of 2024, the country is home to over 1,700 GCCs, employing 1.9 million people and generating $64.6 billion in revenue (Ministry of Labour & Employment). With projections pointing to 2,400 GCCs and $105 billion in revenue by 2030, this segment is more than a subset of enterprise operations, it is a front line of innovation and growth.
GCC Workspaces Need More Than Desks and Wi-Fi
Today’s GCCs demand workspaces that can scale, adapt, and support diverse ways of working. Their success is closely tied to how well the built environment supports rapid hiring, tech deployment, and cross-border collaboration.
The traditional “plug-and-play” model has reached its limits. Organisations are now looking for spaces that integrate flexibility, digital readiness, and environmental responsibility—all while offering a high-quality experience to employees who now have more choices than ever about where they work.
According to CBRE’s 2024 report, 60% of GCCs in India are actively exploring hybrid or flexible workspace models. These preferences are common and it reflects broader changes in talent expectations and enterprise continuity planning.
Real Estate is Now a Growth Enabler for GCC
India’s top seven cities recorded 77.2 million sq. ft of office leasing in 2024, a 22.6% jump over the previous year (JLL). GCCs were responsible for 27.7 million sq. ft, or 36% of the total demand. From 2016 to 2024, they have contributed to 40% of overall office leasing, establishing themselves as a steady source of demand.
Several successful GCCs have already redefined what a workspace can deliver. HSBC’s Global Service Centre in Hyderabad, JP Morgan’s hub in Bengaluru, and PepsiCo’s Global Business Services setup, also in Hyderabad, have embedded flexibility, scale, and cultural identity into their campuses. They have been purpose-built to reflect each company’s way of working and thinking.
The cities attracting the most GCC investments include Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and NCR. They have a few things in common, such as talent depth, reliable infrastructure, tech ecosystem, and policy support. Location decisions are no longer about real estate pricing alone. It is about the long-term potential of a city to support complex, tech-enabled work at scale.
Future Is Responsive and People-Centric
While the physical office remains essential for collaboration, its purpose has changed. Employees expect more from their time in the workplace—ease of use, access to the right tools, thoughtful design, and a sense of purpose. Smart buildings that can adjust lighting, air quality, and temperature based on occupancy are becoming the new standard. So are certifications around energy efficiency and wellness.
Workspaces That Work for Business and People
As GCCs continue to scale in India and across Southeast Asia, real estate strategies must stay ahead of business needs, not follow them. The challenge is no longer about how much space to offer, but what that space enables people to do. Enterprise operations will keep adapting to markets, technologies, and customer expectations.
The future of workspaces is not built on size or aesthetics. It depends on function, adaptability, and how well it supports both enterprise intent and human effort. Real estate professionals who can translate this into design, delivery, and experience will define the next era of GCC success.
