Try GOLD - Free
RISE OF THE 'FLEX'
Commercial Design
|April 2025
Flex living is redefining traditional real estate by prioritizing adaptability, sustainability, and technology-driven convenience, offering a seamless and future-proof alternative to rigid housing models.
-

Traditional housing models are undergoing a profound transformation. The rigid definitions of co-living, senior housing, and corporate residences are giving way to a more fluid and adaptable lifestyle. Modern residents prioritize convenience, flexibility, and a living arrangement that evolves with their dynamic needs. This shift has led to the rise of 'flex living'—a revolutionary approach that blends adaptability with sustainability, technology, and community-driven experiences.
A Changing Real Estate Landscape
The demand for flex living is driven by demographic shifts, evolving workforce dynamics, and escalating urban housing costs. The 2008 financial crisis set the stage for change, but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a global shift in lifestyle preferences. According to MBO Partners, the number of digital nomads in the U.S. surged from 11 million in 2020 to 16.9 million in 2022, reflecting an increasing desire for mobility and flexible housing options.
In Europe, single-family rentals have increased by 10% over the past decade, with a 50% rise in rental occupancy among those aged 30 to 45. Investment in flex living is also gaining momentum—Knight Frank's European Living Investor report notes that 78% of investors are expanding their flex living portfolios, amounting to a projected $22.3 billion in value.
This story is from the April 2025 edition of Commercial Design.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Commercial Design

Commercial Design
Office REITs set to double share in India's Grade A space
India's office real estate investment trusts (REITs) are poised for strong growth, with their share of Grade A office space expected to nearly double over the next five years.
1 mins
September 2025
Commercial Design
UrbanVault to invest Rs 100 crore in FY26 for pan-India expansion
Flexible workspace provider UrbanVault has announced plans to invest Rs 100 crore in FY26 as part of its ambitious pan-India expansion strategy.
1 mins
September 2025

Commercial Design
Pidilite Professional Solutions is redefining hospitality construction
Pidilite Professional Solutions (PPS) is shaping hospitality construction by delivering performance-driven, diagnostic-first solutions backed by Pidilite's trusted legacy.
2 mins
September 2025

Commercial Design
OpenAI to set up India office in New Delhi, eyes deeper local engagement
OpenAI is set to open its first India office in New Delhi in the coming months, marking a significant step in its expansion into one of the world's fastest-growing technology markets, according to a Bloomberg report.
1 min
September 2025

Commercial Design
Large office deals drive India’s commercial real estate momentum
Large-sized office transactions continue to dominate India's commercial real estate market, with deals above 100,000 sq. ft. accounting for 51% of overall Grade A office leasing in the first half of 2025, according to Colliers.
1 min
September 2025
Commercial Design
Tier-2 and tier-3 cities emerge as India's new commercial real estate growth engines
India's commercial real estate market is witnessing a decisive shift, with tier-2 and tier-3 cities rapidly emerging as growth engines in their own right.
1 min
September 2025

Commercial Design
Bengaluru investors embrace fractional property ownership
Bengaluru, India's Silicon Valley, is emerging not just as a technology powerhouse but also as a hub for a new wave of real estate investment-fractional property ownership.
1 mins
September 2025

Commercial Design
50 PATHFINDERS
Minds behind the best workspaces in India
13 mins
September 2025

Commercial Design
METRICS TO MEANING
With real-time data, ESG goals, and client-centric insights, KPIs are shaping how FM providers deliver value
5 mins
September 2025

Commercial Design
THE SMART BUILDING EVOLUTION
Facility management is undergoing a paradigm shift, with smart building technologies transforming it from a support function into a strategic driver of innovation, sustainability, and human experience.
3 mins
September 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size