Quarterly Snapshot 1Q23 | Office | Vacancy is Stable at the Moment
The Houston office market continues to add new buildings while struggling to lease vintage products. In 1Q23 the vacancy rate remained unchanged from 4Q22 at 18.8%, causing Houston to keep its record of highest vacancy in the nation among major markets, but interestingly is the 8th largest market for new construction with over 108 new office buildings under construction totaling 5,164,000 SF. Houston is the 7th largest US office market with 350 million SF, but the Houston market has struggled to breathe new life into its older buildings as new companies are drawn to its new, LEED and green properties with state-of-the-art amenities and modern, fresh designs. Houston continues to grow and its higher quality properties classed as trophy and class A+, continue to outperform the wider market evidenced by the pre-leasing strength of new buildings under construction at 63.9% before the doors are even opened.