Developer strategy shifts: Service-led real estate for offshore GCC operations

As Gulf-region companies scale operations and offshore global capability centres (GCCs) in locations such as India, real-estate developers are adapting their strategy — not just offering space, but bundling services around talent, tech, regulatory compliance and experience. According to recent reports, office developers in India (servicing Gulf-linked demand) are repositioning to provide “workspace plus” offerings. mint+1

What’s changing in the real-estate model

Historically, office developers offered raw space (shell plus core). Today, the tenants are demanding more: high-spec IT/tech infrastructure, wellness-centric design, flexible layouts, compliance support, talent-hub services. One report noted that developers now provide real-estate, operational support, talent acquisition, and technology/regulatory compliance support for companies setting up overseas Gulf operations. mint

For instance, in India, the Sattva Group (in partnership with Innovalus) launched GCCBase — a platform to help multinational firms establish and scale global capability centres across India — focusing on sectors including banking, financial services and engineering. Business Standard

Link to Gulf-based firms and operations

Gulf companies are increasing their offshore operations, especially in technology, banking/financial services, engineering and healthcare. In fact, the share of BFSI in GCC-linked offshore operations has grown from 15% in 2021 to 27% in 2025. colliers.com

This shifting nature of demand (more front-office/high-value operations) means that developers must deliver more than space: they must deliver ecosystem readiness.

Impacts on stakeholders

Challenges & considerations

Conclusion

The evolving real-estate model — designed to service Gulf-linked offshore operations — reflects broader shifts in global services, talent geography and regional diversification. For Gulf firms, it means a stronger offshore footprint; for host markets and developers, an opportunity to upgrade product offerings and capture higher-value occupiers. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, real-estate is no longer just about space — it’s about the entire operational stack.