Calgary office vacancy rate declining as business community returning to city's core
After years of decline, demand for Calgary's downtown commercial real estate is showing signs of returning to life.
A new report released by Avison Young says the downtown office vacancy rate now sits at 27.2 per cent, down 2.5 per cent since the last quarter of 2021.
The report also shows leasing rates will continue to face upward pressure this year because of flight to quality and high inflation, which basically means more businesses trying to move to better spaces to try to attract and maintain their workforce.
In trying to have modernize workplaces, Class AA building vacancy rate is now at 14.8 per cent, down 2.9 per cent since the last quarter of 2021.
"We're really happy about the new report that just came out, because it is showing what I think we've been witnessing over the last couple of months," said Mark Garner, executive director of the Calgary Downtown Association.
"Normally, Tuesdays and Wednesdays were our busiest days. And we're starting to see now that it's, we're getting back to that Thursday, Friday, Saturday, type increase."
Garner attributes the increase to some workers coming back to downtown to work full-time and new businesses looking to lease office spaces.
The report found the last quarter of 2022 marked one of the strongest leasing environments in the Calgary office sector, and the vacancy decreases may continue in the first part of the new year.
"I think there is a very much a clear theme of return to office, whether it's three days a week or five days a week for certain companies," said Adam Hayes of Avison Young.
"I think we'll see positive absorption in 2023."
With files from Timm Bruch
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.