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Raised flooring (a raised access floor) is a floor of removable panels set on adjustable pedestals above the concrete slab, leaving a void for power, data and sometimes air. In Malta it is standard in business centres and newer office blocks, and about one in five offices for rent on MaltaOffices.com mention it in their description. If your team relies on desks with power and data, it is one of the first things to check on a viewing.
Why raised flooring matters when you lease an office
- You can change the layout without breaking the floor. Floor boxes for power and data can be moved when you add desks or rearrange teams, so you are not tied to the outgoing tenant’s layout.
- No trailing cables or floor chasing. Cabling runs in the void instead of along walls, through ceilings or in channels cut into the screed.
- Lower fit-out cost and time. On a floor that already has raised flooring and cabling, a fit-out is mostly partitions, finishes and furniture. Without it, the electrical and data work grows.
- Easier reinstatement. Most leases ask you to return the office in its original condition. Moving floor boxes and pulling cables from a void is simpler than making good chased walls and floors.
Where you find it in Malta
Of the 451 offices for rent on MaltaOffices.com on 17 October 2026, 83 mention raised flooring in their description. It is most common in purpose-built business centres and modern office blocks in St Julian’s, Ta’ Xbiex, Gżira, Msida, Birkirkara and Mrieħel. It is less common in Sliema, where about one in ten of the offices we list mention it, and in converted townhouses, where floor-to-ceiling height is often too tight to lose space under the floor. A listing that does not mention raised flooring may still have it, so ask.
Examples currently on the market with raised flooring:
- 40 to 50 person office for rent in Mrieħel
- 375 SQM office with balcony in Birkirkara
- 500 SQM furnished office in St Julian’s
- 940 SQM modern office in St Julian’s
- 2,500 SQM office for rent in Msida
- 810 SQM office for sale in Msida
Availability changes quickly. See all offices for rent in Malta, or tell us your requirements and we will send you a shortlist of offices with raised flooring within 24 hours.
Panel types
- Steel panels with a cementitious core: the most common choice for offices; solid underfoot and suited to heavier loads.
- Woodcore (chipboard) panels in a steel or aluminium casing: lighter and usually cheaper, common in standard offices.
- Calcium sulphate panels: dense, with good fire and acoustic performance.
- Aluminium panels: light and corrosion-resistant, used more in technical rooms than general office space.
The top surface is usually carpet tiles or vinyl, laid separately so it can be lifted with the panel. Server rooms often use anti-static finishes.
What to check on a viewing
- Is it a true raised access floor? Lift a panel. Some offices have a shallow cable floor or trunking under carpet, which is far less flexible.
- Floor boxes: how many there are, where they sit and whether they are live. Count them against your planned desks.
- Void depth: enough for your cabling now and later, and for any underfloor air conditioning.
- Load rating: if you plan heavy filing, safes or a server rack, ask for the load class the panels are tested to under EN 12825, the European standard for raised access floors.
- Condition: rocking, squeaking or chipped panels, and gaps around the edges.
- Who owns it: whether the raised floor belongs to the landlord or was installed by the previous tenant, and what the lease says about leaving it in place at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can raised flooring be added to an existing office?
Usually yes, but it raises the finished floor level, so check ceiling height, door heights, steps at the lift and stairs, and access for people with disabilities. Get the landlord’s written consent before any work, and agree whether it stays or comes out at the end of the lease.
Do serviced offices have raised flooring?
Some do, but in a serviced office the operator handles power, data and furniture, so it matters far less. It matters most when you lease a conventional office and fit it out yourself. See serviced offices vs private offices.
Is raised flooring a sign of a Grade A office?
It is one of the usual signs, alongside good lifts, high-specification services and strong building management, but not on its own. Many Grade B offices in Malta also have it. More in our commercial property FAQ.
How many people will the office hold?
Plan on about 10 m² per person as a standard, closer to 7 m² with compact desks and clusters. Work it through with the Office Space Calculator or read office space per employee in Malta.
Written by Etienne Licari, commercial real estate advisor licensed by the Property Market Agency (licence PB-00144-23), working in Malta’s office market since 2010. Listing figures from MaltaOffices.com, 17 October 2026.
