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
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.