Houston office market reports
Q4 2023
The economy for the Houston metro area has performed quite well during the fourth quarter of 2024 with 78k jobs created over the trailing 12 months ending November 2023. Further, unemployment in the Bayou City remains relatively low at 4.1%. Despite a remarkable 10% growth in office-using jobs, with 70,000 new positions added since its pre-pandemic peak, there has not been a direct correlation in office absorption as companies continue to right-size and become more efficient with their office space footprints likely due to remote and hybrid work arrangements.
Leasing activity in Trophy and class A+ properties continue to outperform the broader market. As the flight to quality trend persists and the construction pipeline remains non-existent, this could lead to rent premiums and shrinking concessions in these properties as a result of the supply of high-quality space options being constrained. Tenants are gravitating to better quality space to ensure that the luxuries employees experienced while working from home also exist in the office.
Net absorption concentrated mostly in high quality product
While Trophy and class A assets dominated office market activity, absorbing 671k square feet, Houston's overall office market saw a net loss of 410k square feet in 2023.
Vacancy in product built since 2010 continues to outperform
The Houston office market struggles with high vacancy rates but shows promise for recovery, with newer buildings performing better and older vintage assets facing potential conversion under future economic conditions.
Leasing activity slows down
Leasing velocity plummeted during the second half of 2023 due to the tightening financial conditions and economic slowdown, but large upcoming leases might revive the market in 2024.
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