All You Need to Know About Private Offices in Singapore

Private offices can be described as having your own lockable office within a flexible office space operator that gives you access to communal areas such as shared pantry, coworking desks, reception, meeting rooms, and printing facilities. Let’s dive deeper and find out how to find the ideal private office in Singapore.

What is a Private Office?

Differences Between Private Offices and Co-working Spaces

The main difference is privacy. Coworking desks or hot desks are located in the shared section of a coworking location, whereas private offices are separated from communal areas and have their own space. While coworking desks offer more opportunities to connect with other people and create networking opportunities, having a private space does not prevent you from accessing shared areas whenever you need.

Benefits of Renting a Private Office in Singapore

Privacy and Security

If your business operations, calls, or the content you work on require higher confidentiality and you have more privacy concerns, sitting in a hot desk area with many people around you might not be ideal. Whether you have a 1-2 person team or a larger one, private spaces are recommended for better privacy.

Professional Image

Private offices offer perks like placing your own company signage or having your company logo in the location directory, which can improve the professional image of your company.

Customizable Workspaces

You have more flexibility with the layout and furniture selection in your space. You can design the office based on your operational needs—some people prefer densely packed desks and chairs, while others opt for ample space with soft seating and collaboration areas.

Productivity

Depending on your personal preferences, being in a private area might allow for better focus and an uninterrupted workspace, thus improving productivity. However, some people prefer to be surrounded by others to keep their productivity high, in which case a coworking desk might be preferred.

Popular Locations for Private Offices in Singapore

Robinson Road

There are various options from premium to cost-effective at Afro-Asia, 18 Robinson, 80 Robinson, 77 Robinson, 61 Robinson, 108 Robinson, and 120 Robinson. Depending on your budget and business needs, Robinson Road can match your expectations.

Marina Bay

Most offices can be found at Asia Square, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Marina One, and One Marina Boulevard. Marina Bay usually has higher prices compared to the rest of the CBD as most coworking spaces are in new buildings, which is another factor.

Orchard Road

Orchard Road is very popular for companies in the fashion and retail industries as they often have a store in the area, making their office within walking distance. Finding a private office might be slightly more challenging compared to business districts; however, there are still options at Wisma Atria, Centrepoint, and Design Orchard.

Raffles Place

Raffles Place is the heart of Singapore's Business District. Options here are among the widest, ranging from newer developments at higher prices to older ones at significantly lower costs. Some locations include One Raffles Place, Ocean Financial Centre, Samsung Hub, Singapore Land Tower, 21 Collyer Quay, Collyer Quay Centre, OCBC Centre East, 30 Raffles Place, CapitaGreen, Republic Plaza, and Six Battery Road.

Tanjong Pagar

Similar to Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar also offers a wide range of options. Not limited to office buildings, even shophouses here have coworking spaces with chic designs. Locations include Capital Tower, Frasers Tower, Guoco Tower, International Plaza, Keong Saik Road, 20 Anson, 70 Anson, 60 Anson, and more.

Key Factors to Consider When Renting a Private Office

Location

Proximity to your clients or public transportation for attracting talent is the first consideration that impacts the office rental decision.

Budget

After choosing a location, the second consideration is budget, as most locations have both high-end and more cost-conscious options. If you are looking for premium offices, The Executive Centre or The Work Project offers these, whereas operators like Verve and The Hive provide lower costs with good cost performance.

Lease Terms

Flexible leases are indeed an innovation in commercial real estate, with terms as short as month-to-month, 3 months, 6 months, or longer.

Amenities and Services

Consider how many hours of meeting room usage you need, if you have a lot of calls that require phone booths, or if you would like to offer free beer or coffee to your team. These factors all impact the final decision.

Office Size and Layout

Your team size is another crucial factor. Especially for full-time office workers, as mobile workers may not need a fixed desk. There is a difference between the headcount and office size; we recommend renting space only for your office workers while adding usage-based solutions for the rest of your employees in hybrid teams.

How to Find the Right Private Office?

Using Online Platforms and Listings

Online platforms are the best way to find your private office as they have access to the entire office stock in Singapore. At OflexCo, we have partnered with over 30 coworking operators in Singapore, allowing us to scan the entire market, shortlist options, and arrange viewings for you. The best part is our service is 100% free of charge. Just contact us by filling out the contact form or via the WhatsApp chat button on our website, and we will assist you in finding your best office.

Networking and Recommendations

You can also reach out to your network for recommendations, especially if some of the people around you use coworking spaces.

The Rental Process

Initial Research and Shortlisting

You can leave this part to us with a peace of mind. Based on the specifics you share, we will search for options and share shortlisted ones with you.

Scheduling Viewings

Next, we schedule viewings at your convenience and accompany you to each location you would like to see.

Negotiating Lease Terms

Once you decide on your top option, we negotiate the best deal for you at the lowest price possible, as we have data on the latest transactions made in each coworking center in Singapore. Not just for monthly rental, but also for meeting room and printing credits, or any other package inclusivity will also be negotiated to get the best deal.

Signing the Lease Agreement

You can review the T&C, consult us if you have any questions, and sign the deal to secure your office.

Tips for Setting Up Your Private Office

Office Design and Layout

Congratulations, you have found your office! Next is the preparation before you move in. Office design can vary in layout and furniture preference.

Technology and Infrastructure

Usually, private offices in flex operators are ready-to-use with all internet, phone, utilities provided, so you do not need to spend time on this. However, if you have additional requests like a dedicated internet line, your provider will discuss a solution with you.

Cost Breakdown and Budgeting

Monthly Rent

Calculated based on per person, you have a monthly rental for the space, furniture, internet, communal areas, receptionist, and more based on your operator packages.

Utilities and Maintenance

Utilities and maintenance are all included, so no need to worry about this!

Additional Costs (Meeting rooms, event space, printing, exit fees, activation fees)

Costs vary by operator. Some charge an activation fee in the beginning per person for access cards and setup. Exit fees are common, either a fixed rate or case-by-case. Meeting rooms, event spaces, and printing usually include credits, but any excess will be charged on a pay-per-use basis.