Optum Global Solutions, the Indian subsidiary of US healthcare leader UnitedHealth Group, has secured a 500,000-square-foot office space in Chennai—one of the most significant deals in South India’s commercial office sector this year.
Situated in the Embassy Splendid Tech Zone, this facility will be Optum’s latest Global Capability Centre (GCC), expanding its existing presence in Noida and Bengaluru, where the company operates an area of approximately 750,000 sq ft.
The agreement, finalized with rental rates around Rs 70–75 per sq ft, underscores India’s strategic importance as an innovation hub.
A source familiar with the agreement noted, “This expansion will significantly strengthen the company’s global delivery network while leveraging Chennai’s robust technology talent pool. The property is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by Q3 of 2025.”
Located in Chennai’s Thoraipakkam-Pallavaram Radial Road corridor, the Embassy Splendid Tech Zone is a sprawling business park that spans five million sq ft and hosts clients like Accenture, BNY Mellon, and Wells Fargo.
The property includes a development campus of 1.4 million sq ft, with additional space to be constructed in the upcoming quarters.
Chennai’s office leasing sector is experiencing strong momentum, primarily driven by GCCs. The city reported over 2.9 million sq ft of gross absorption in the first half of 2025, marking a 15% increase year-on-year, according to industry data.
On a national scale, the first half of 2025 is poised to surpass 80 million sq ft in gross leasing, fueled by strong pre-commitments and strategic consolidations.
GCCs now account for about 50% of total active demand, reinforcing their status as key players in India’s Grade A commercial real estate market.
India has established itself as a strategic innovation center for UnitedHealth Group, with delivery centres located in Gurgaon, Noida, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Experts assert that India is solidifying its position as the GCC capital of the world, boasting over 1,700 active centers, which compose 53% of the global GCC footprint. GCCs now occupy more than one-third of India’s total Grade A office space, surpassing all other occupiers in scale and impact.
As the focus shifts from cost savings to value creation, sectors including healthcare, life sciences, and AI-driven technologies lead new leasing activities. Cities like Hyderabad and Chennai are emerging as pivotal hubs, supported by strong supply pipelines, competitive rental rates, and quality talent.
Analysts predict that India’s GCC workforce will exceed 2.8 million by 2030, which will further drive the demand for large, scalable campuses.
