From Shanghai to Bangkok, office demand set to plummet

Landlords brace for coronavirus-led downturn

20200518 Shanghai skyline

The Shanghai skyline: In a survey of 150 companies across countries like China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand earlier this month, Knight Frank said 28% of respondents expected to reduce their office space. © Getty Images

DYLAN LOH, Nikkei staff writer

SINGAPORE -- The coronavirus pandemic will likely lead to an oversupply of office space across Asia as companies think twice about committing to fresh leasing contracts.

According to London-based property consultancy Knight Frank, 73% of major Asia-Pacific office markets have recorded declines in leasing activity in the four weeks to April 14, including Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, Seoul, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta.

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