Categories Graphs, Narrative, Office Market

Demand for Office Space Expected to Shrink Through Early 2024

We write about the state and future of the office market in The C2 Voice weekly. Because we are on the front lines, we see trends happening as they develop. Today, we want to share a great study that just came out from NAIOP (the main association for Office Developers) that mirrors our perspective but … Continue reading Demand for Office Space Expected to Shrink Through Early 2024

Categories Narrative, Office Market, Ten on One

Ten on One – Office Site Selection Insights with Thomas Maynard

This week we have an insightful episode with Thomas Maynard, Senior Vice President at the Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC).  We sat down to discuss trends in office site selection, a space he lives in every week.     We asked Thomas: Who are the key players and what questions are they asking?  Here’s a taste of … Continue reading Ten on One – Office Site Selection Insights with Thomas Maynard

Categories Covid19 Impact, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

What CEOs are Saying About the Office

We continue to talk about the return to the office in this narrative because it’s at the forefront of our clients’ minds.  The below report from Leesman polled real estate leaders on the state of the workplace following the Covid-19 pandemic.  Here are a few takeaways I found most interesting:   –Almost 40% are planning major changes … Continue reading What CEOs are Saying About the Office

Categories Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

1 – Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q1 2023

The Metro Phoenix Office Market continues to face significant headwinds in 2023.  Net absorption, measured by the net change in physically occupied space, came in at negative 127,468 square feet in Q1. This means the office recovery took a step backward after realizing positive net absorption in the same amount during the last quarter of … Continue reading 1 – Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q1 2023

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q4 2022

The Metro office market continues to trudge along its own path of an extended (up and down, circular) recovery.  Direct vacancy actually decreased slightly to 17.5%, 500 basis points lower than our 20-year average.  Meanwhile, average asking rates actually increased by $0.46/SF per year between Q3 and Q4.  However, net absorption, the most critical indicator of market … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q4 2022

Categories Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Original Content, Ten on One

Ten on One- Latest Office Leasing Trends

In our latest Ten on One podcast, we spend 10 minutes with John Orsak, Vice President of Development at Lincoln Property Company, Desert Southwest.  John oversees a huge office portfolio in Phoenix, putting him in the market seven days a week. He is in the know in all things office.  Here are a few nuggets … Continue reading Ten on One- Latest Office Leasing Trends

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2022

The Metro Phoenix Office Market hit a small speedbump in Q3 on the path to recovery. After posting a big net absoption in Q2 of +918,413 SF, Q3 slipped to -81,621 SF. This puts year-to-date net absorption at +532,634 SF, on track to finish well below our 20-year average of 2 million SF. What’s going with … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2022

Categories Covid19 Impact, Creative Office Spaces, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

CA Companies Moving Out

I’ve said it before and it continues to be true: Companies are moving out of California in record numbers. This migration is happening for a myriad of reasons. –rising business costs (taxes, energy, utility costs, etc.) –worker comp litigation and cost issues –cost of talent –cost of simply living The list goes on.  Below is … Continue reading CA Companies Moving Out

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Tech Industry

5 Solutions for Saving Money on Office

The majority of companies are back in the office under some sort of adjusted schedule.  While work strategies differ, everyone can agree that build-out costs are painfully expensive. This is especially challenging during the war for talent that’s happening, and businesses need every dollar they can get to enhance the employee office experience. Since the … Continue reading 5 Solutions for Saving Money on Office

Categories Design, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Are the Suburbs Back? And other Office Trends from NAIOP

As companies begin to return to the offices which have largely been left empty since the Covid 19 pandemic started, the first trend we are seeing is companies are  going to have to transform the spaces into places where workers will want to be. This is an important move since there is now a shift … Continue reading Are the Suburbs Back? And other Office Trends from NAIOP

Categories Covid19 Impact, Creative Office Spaces, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

Back to the Office, Differently

Have you figured out how your office will look in 2022 and beyond?  Below is cool, quick article from Fast Company illustrating some of the changes happening in the office. Yes, they do mention some pretty big tech names, and we don’t all have the same construction budgets as Salesforce, but there are some great ideas … Continue reading Back to the Office, Differently

Categories Architecture, Creative Office Spaces, Design, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

The World`s Best Workplace in 2021

Considering how many companies have opted to allow employees to work from home since the pandemic, it’s good to know that many are still investing in workplaces, creating designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but with features that are beneficial for the employees and the environment. The list below features multiple workplace designs from … Continue reading The World`s Best Workplace in 2021

Categories Covid19 Impact, Creative Office Spaces, Economy, In the News, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

Second-Tier Cities Thriving

The pandemic has created some new trends (mask wearing, expanded home delivery, ghost restaurants, etc.).  That said, there has been even more acceleration of existing trends including last mile logistics, flex work schedules, and the rise of second-tier cities like Phoenix. Second-tier cities are growing like crazy and drawing the notice of institutional investors as well … Continue reading Second-Tier Cities Thriving

Categories Narrative, Office Market, Tech Industry

Gen Z

For the past decade, all eyes have been on the Millennial Generation, the first to grow up in the Internet Age. Now, the next generation after Millennials is graduating college and entering the workforce: Gen Z is starting to make its mark. Comprising 35% of the global population, they are a force to work with. … Continue reading Gen Z

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Where America’s Developed Areas are Growing?

A few weeks ago I wrote a narrative about rankings, and what I look for in markets where I believe companies will thrive. I posed four questions to ask with the number one question being:  Is the market growing? Below is a great article from the Washington Post on where America is growing by new land … Continue reading Where America’s Developed Areas are Growing?

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Graphs, Narrative, Office Market, Original Content

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2021 and a 30-Second Favor to Ask

We are honored to have been chosen as one of five finalists for Broker of the Decade in Metro Phoenix by CEM Magazine. The winner is determined via vote by the readers.  We would greatly appreciate if you could take 30 seconds right now and cast your vote by clicking here (we are third in the … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2021 and a 30-Second Favor to Ask

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

The Hottest Office Topic in the Valley

Office subleases continue to prove a hot topic this year. Tenants in the market are eyeing subleases for their great prices, or are using them as leverage to bargain against traditional options. In the Metro Phoenix market, with 100 million SF of office space, we are now showing over 4.5 million SF of sublease now … Continue reading The Hottest Office Topic in the Valley

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Graphs, Narrative, Office Market

Reducing Office Space? 74% of Fortune 500 CEO`s Say It`s Likely

You may have noticed that I’ve spent more time than usual passing along information as it pops up.  My job is to make sure you and our clients are on the cutting edge of where office space is going and how it is changing. Due to the pandemic, there is a lot of confusing data … Continue reading Reducing Office Space? 74% of Fortune 500 CEO`s Say It`s Likely

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Original Content

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q2 2021

The Metro Phoenix Office Market remains in disarray at the midpoint of 2021.  Companies (small and medium-sized) are coming back to work, signing new leases and getting back to a new normal. Other companies (often large ones) continue to kick the can with short-term renewals, downsizing as leases roll, or trying the sublease market.  The … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q2 2021

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Graphs, Narrative, Office Market

CRE International Investors Coming to the US and AZ

Readers of this narrative know that my team and I represent tenants and landlords primarily in the Metro Phoenix area. Every year we see more and more investors coming to us from outside Arizona, and even outside the U.S. Interest in commercial real estate investing is on the rise in the international community, which is … Continue reading CRE International Investors Coming to the US and AZ

Categories Covid19 Impact, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

Who is Going Back to the Office?

I am still closely watching the work-from-home (WFH) trend that began a long time ago but really accelerated last year when the Covid pandemic first hit. Many businesses are now returning to the office, with optional WFH schedules or reimagined spaces. Every business is handling the return to their office differently, and some have found … Continue reading Who is Going Back to the Office?

Categories Covid19 Impact, Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Original Content

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q1 2021

The pandemic certainly took its toll on the Metro Phoenix Office Market in Q1.  The numbers tell us it was the worst quarter since the Great Recession (2008): Net absorption (new office space taken by job growth) went negative for the third quarter in a row, at -550,000 SF; sublease space increased at the highest … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q1 2021

Categories Covid19 Impact, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

The Evolution of Office Space Utilization in the U.S.

Below is an older article (9/2016),  that discusses the evolution of office space.  Why am I sending this now, right after the economy shut down and the COVID-19 pandemic?  Because the points made below can and will show you a couple of key topics that are still relevant when discussing  commercial office design and investment: … Continue reading The Evolution of Office Space Utilization in the U.S.

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2020

The sandstorm continues. In Phoenix, we call it a haboob.  Uncertainty, again, served as the main theme of the Metro Phoenix Office Market in the third quarter.  Vacancy didn’t really rise that much in the past 90 days.  Rental rates softened only slightly.  Sublease space spiked up again this quarter. We are seeing companies who … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2020

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

The Counselors of Real Estate (of which Andrew and I are proud members) have released their annual top 10 issues affecting real estate.  Please read the whole article below.  As you can imagine, COVID-19 is currently leading the way on issues affecting real estate. Big shocker.  We have written about the pandemic a ton in previous … Continue reading Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q2 2020

Not surprisingly, the Metro Phoenix office market Q2 2020 experienced plenty of highs and lows.  Office leasing slowed, but it did not stop.  Sublease space increased dramatically, but it’s not at an all-time high.  Positive COVID cases declined, then spiked here in Arizona, as they did in much of the country.  We continue to learn … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q2 2020

Categories Creative Office Spaces, Design, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

10 + 1 Reasons to Measure Office Space Utilization

Last week, I sent a narrative on some new ways we are working with our clients to measure space utilization (click here to read).  I got quite a few responses about the topic from Real Estate facilities people (and a CEO) asking why we would incorporate new measurements into their spaces when they have corporate … Continue reading 10 + 1 Reasons to Measure Office Space Utilization

Categories Economy, Graphs, Narrative, Office Market

What is Your State’s Poor Infrastructure Costing You?

Below is an incredible graph.  States have let their infrastructure go to hell and it is costing consumers a ton of money in car damages.  Take a look below to see what your state is costing you.I also pulled cities within the Metro Phoenix market to see what individual cities are costing us. 1—Lack of … Continue reading What is Your State’s Poor Infrastructure Costing You?

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2019

After a quiet second quarter, the Greater Phoenix office market experienced a HUGE third quarter in terms of tenant activity.   Over 1 million SF of net absorption (think job growth) was recorded in just a 90-day period, making 2019’s year-to-date net absorption 2.64 million SF – almost matching space absorbed in all of 2018, and … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q3 2019

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Affordability

  One of the most daunting tasks our national clients face is to quantify the key metrics for making decisions for their office locations.  I review no less than 30 different reports a year on this topic and the items people track are, well…daunting. Demographics, traffic patterns, access to amenities, cost of labor, office space costs, … Continue reading Affordability

Categories Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q4 2018

It’s time for us to look back at the Metro Phoenix Office Market for 2018. Readers of this narrative know that I am an office broker who works every day representing tenants and landlords as they navigate real estate nuances and opportunities. I (along with my incredible team) am based in Phoenix but work around the country … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Market Update: Q4 2018

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Piling On

I’m adding to my narrative two weeks ago (click here to read) on the effects of open office plans.  Today is not about the science but rather the complaining and emotional impact on employees after moving to open office space.  I’m not taking a side, rather just piling on more information from two weeks ago.    Workers … Continue reading Piling On

Categories Narrative, Office Market

The “Coffice”

In our ongoing discussion about the future of office space, here is a nice stat:  In this cycle, office space users have been taking approximately ½ of the space they took as they grew in the last cycle.  We know why—open office, the explosion of the tech companies and shared space environment and all the … Continue reading The “Coffice”

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Suburban Offices are Back

First, let me say, I told you so.  I have been saying for some time that the huge shift to urban core will not be sustained.  There are companies that want/need to have that environment so I am still bullish on urban cores, but there are others who will reverse the three-decade trend of moving offices closer and closer … Continue reading Suburban Offices are Back

Categories Narrative, Office Market, Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

2018 Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

The changing demographics of workers in the U.S. is HUGE and it’s changing everything. This is probably the biggest issue we are facing in office space leasing, and it features predominantly on the 2018  Counselors of Real Estate (CRE)  Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate. Below is the release and a link to the full report. I … Continue reading 2018 Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Update: Q1 2018

The long and stubbornly slow recovery continues.  Q1 2018 numbers are out and the Metro Phoenix office market absorbed 686,469 square feet of net positive space, lowering overall vacancy to 19.39%.  We are now into the 8th straight year of positive absorption in office jobs.  Vacancy varies throughout the Greater Phoenix area with a high of 30.5% in the Sky Harbor … Continue reading 1-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Update: Q1 2018

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

Underlying Organizational Costs

The biggest waste we consistently see is clients underutilizing their office space.  Planning for growth that never occurs, thinking you “need” the space for visiting people, and making work areas and offices too big — there are multiple ways that companies waste money. Office space, and even more important facilities, can significantly reduce costs through … Continue reading Underlying Organizational Costs

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate

10 Issues Affecting Commercial Real Estate 2017

One thing I constantly stress to my team is that to be successful in this industry, you have to be willing to learn and adapt to the times, or quickly become obsolete and watch your business disappear. As a 20+ year Counselor of Real Estate (CRE), I love our annual top ten issues affecting commercial … Continue reading 10 Issues Affecting Commercial Real Estate 2017

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Traditional Retail is Dead

By next year, 36 million square feet of retail space could be vacated and returned to the market. It’s official – the global landscape of retail is changing and changing rapidly. These changes are driven by a combination of growing e-commerce use and a demographical shift in consumer behavior, which prioritizes experience over tangible goods. … Continue reading Traditional Retail is Dead

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

2-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Update: Q2 2017

The second quarter was not quite as busy as the first, but there is still good news as our market slowly (painfully slow) continues to improve.  Vacancy held steady at 18.8% despite new construction, and we continued our streak of continuous positive net absorption (job growth).  We haven’t had negative net absorption since 2009. The pace of … Continue reading 2-Minute Phoenix Metro Office Update: Q2 2017

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Office Lease Checklist

Whenever a client has a problem with their space or lease agreement, 9 times out of 10 we can trace that negativity back to one thing: a communication failure in the original lease negotiation. Leases are unfamiliar territory for many of our clients. Most of the time, they just don’t know the right questions to ask. Below … Continue reading Office Lease Checklist

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

CRE Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding Commercial Real Estate acquisitions is all the rage. However, like everything, there are opportunities and liabilities in placing your investment dollars in a crowdfunded deal.   Below are two different articles with highlights. But first, a quick summary: Liabilities: Investors lack the industry knowledge and experience needed for real estate investments Too many uncommitted investors High legal fees … Continue reading CRE Crowdfunding

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

Suburban Office Markets

The current recovery has been anemic, not just economically but in terms of new office construction as well. Long term, the lack of new buildings is good as overbuilding is not a concern. With the emergence of millennials in the work force and live/work/play environments,  suburban office markets have been even slower to recover. As the Central Business District … Continue reading Suburban Office Markets

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

Metro Phoenix is Getting Better…Slowly

Steady net absorption (more space being leased due to job growth) continues to chip away at Metro Phoenix’s office vacancy as we head into Q4 2016. This quarter, Phoenix benefitted from medium-sized companies expanding. We hope these companies continue to grow. The metro Phoenix office market is on pace to perform roughly the same as 2015, i.e. … Continue reading Metro Phoenix is Getting Better…Slowly

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

Understanding The Office Market: Q1 2016 Phoenix Office Report

Office leasing is off to a good start in 2016.  Here in Metro Phoenix, the market saw 641,000 square feet (SF) of net absorption (office jobs added) recorded in the first quarter.  This means Metro Phoenix is on track to absorb approximately 2.5 million SF for the year. That would mean another year of consistent, average … Continue reading Understanding The Office Market: Q1 2016 Phoenix Office Report

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends, Tech Industry

Game Changing Trend is Happening Right Now

Each January, I attend Abundance 360 produced by Peter Diamandis. One takeaway this year was how fast driverless cars are becoming a reality. This will happen in our lifetime. Google autonomous cars have over 1,000,000 miles in Palo Alto (click here). Tesla has a new package that will drive your car on the highway (click here) and there are at least … Continue reading Game Changing Trend is Happening Right Now

Categories Narrative, Office Market

How Do Star Wars and the Phoenix Office Market Relate? Q4 2015 Phoenix Market Report

Seeing Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens recently I cannot help but draw a parallel to the world of Metro Phoenix office leasing. Why? Because, like “the force,” net absorption awakened in 2015 posting 3.4 million square feet. This is the highest absorption since 2005 and has pushed our vacancy rate below 20% for the first time in eight years. (By … Continue reading How Do Star Wars and the Phoenix Office Market Relate? Q4 2015 Phoenix Market Report

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Market Insight: Q2 2015 Phoenix Office Report

Like the national office market, the Metro Phoenix Office Market is rebounding at a gradual pace. Last week Craig sent out a good update on the national office market from The Wall Street Journal. (Click here for his narrative in case you missed it) Today I’m sending you an update on the progress we’re seeing in Phoenix. The WSJ article mentions … Continue reading Market Insight: Q2 2015 Phoenix Office Report

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Market Insight: Q3 2014 Phoenix Office Report

Finally, some good news. The Metro Phoenix Office posted just under 800,000 SF of net absorption for the third quarter. A significant number of the tenants I talked to while canvassing buildings have either just expanded or are considering expanding in the near future. Despite the strong absorption, vacancy remains high at 21.6% across the entire market. Except for … Continue reading Market Insight: Q3 2014 Phoenix Office Report

Categories Graphs, Narrative, Office Market, Office Trends

An Analysis of U.S. High-Rise Construction Activity in This Century

Below is a 2013 article Andy Conlin sent me analyzing high-rise construction in the United States. David Holmes takes an in-depth look at the major economic factors affecting skyscrapers (defined as buildings 18 stories or higher in this article) built since 2000. This timeline would include only one construction cycle and two recessions, but the conclusions are interesting. I’ve … Continue reading An Analysis of U.S. High-Rise Construction Activity in This Century

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Market Knowledge: Phoenix Office Report Q2 2014

The Phoenix office market continues to slowly improve. Too slow for my taste, but improvement is always good. Unless you are in Tempe, Chandler or Scottsdale, the market is not improving as fast as owners and investors would like. Lee & Associates Arizona released its second quarter Office Market Update in July and showed that success these … Continue reading Market Knowledge: Phoenix Office Report Q2 2014

Categories Economy, Narrative, Office Market

A Look at the Numbers Behind the Current Headlines About Job Creation

Job creation news made headlines a few weeks back touting that the United States had recovered all of the jobs that were lost during the great recession. In Arizona, however, we are still way behind our pre-recession levels. Over the next two weeks, we are going to try to tie jobs, the Phoenix office market, … Continue reading A Look at the Numbers Behind the Current Headlines About Job Creation

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Market Insight: Phoenix Office Report Q1 2014

Want to know the latest trends in the Phoenix Office market? Here’s what’s going on: Our first quarter Office Market Report was just released this week with some interesting stats. We had an excellent quarter for net absorption, the most important measure of the market’s health. We absorbed 727,000 SF, and if we keep that pace up, … Continue reading Market Insight: Phoenix Office Report Q1 2014

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Thoughtful Outlook for Office Space in 2014

Annually, I review a large number of commercial office research. Below is a link to the UBS Global Asset Management US Real Estate Market Outlook 2014. With all of the cumbersome reports published, I find this one to be very concise and insightful. The entire report is 28 pages but we have included the key office pages below. Many trends … Continue reading Thoughtful Outlook for Office Space in 2014

Categories Narrative, Office Market

Q4 2013 Office Market Report

Our fourth quarter 2013 Office market absorption numbers came out last week. A short summary: We are making progress but absorption fell below expectations. We concluded the year just under 1.3 million SF of net (not gross) absorption. Net absorption is the true measure of a market’s performance. The net absorption in 2013 was down 36% from 2012, however, we beat … Continue reading Q4 2013 Office Market Report