The office sector is regaining its central role in commercial real estate — but at a price, as fit-out costs rise, says JLL.

Corporations worldwide continue to adjust their hybrid policies to favour in-office attendance, boosting prospects for the office sector. And despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, companies are optimistic about growth — planning increases to headcount and seeking more or improved office space — according to JLL’s Global Office Fit-Out Costs Guide 2025.

Across all regions surveyed, however, office fit-out costs have increased in the past 12 months. With 59 percent of organisations globally planning to increase investment in space design, multinational corporations must understand regional disparities in office fit-out costs to inform strategic planning. As with previous years, JLL has found refurbishment costs are highest in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and UAE, Singapore, and Jap