Under the Radar: Urban Office Markets Revive with Focus on Employee Experience

Office buildings are one oof the most unloved asset classes on the planet right now

Wall Street hates them.

The financial media hates them even more.

Your average employee hates the very idea that office buildings existed in the first place

Investors are convinced that it is not too terribly long before a trip to New York will involve meeting up with Kurt Russell wearing an eye patch in a post -office real estate apocalypse world.

No one wants to go to work anymore.

The pandemic changed the office market forever and anyone who can work from  home will do so.

While all that is true, investors are overlooking the fact that increasingly employers want their employees back to in the office.

The government, the banks, private equity and high-tech companies have all sounded recall.

They want their people back.

Corporations are also taking advantage of the opportunity to downsize and upgrade their office space, and this is creating demand for  one segment of the office market that could deliver huge profits for patient aggressive  investors

The demand for Class A office space in major U.S. cities has continued to rise, despite ongoing challenges in the broader commercial real estate market. This trend reflects a growing preference for high-quality, well-located office properties as companies seek to enhance employee experience and align real estate decisions with corporate objectives.

According to CBRE, base and net effective rents for Class A+/A office buildings have increased by 3.1% and 5.2%, respectively, since 2023. This rent growth contrasts sharply with the performance of lower-tier properties, where rents have declined as landlords struggle to attract tenants. The strong demand for Class A space has allowed landlords to reduce concessions, including tenant improvement allowances and free rent, which were more prevalent in previous years.

A key driver behind the increased demand for Class A office space is the “flight-to-quality” trend. Many corporate occupiers are prioritizing office environments that offer premium amenities, advanced technology, and sustainable features. Employees returning to offices in hybrid or full-time capacities are seeking higher-quality workspaces, prompting firms to lease properties that promote collaboration and well-being.

In New York, office leasing activity has seen a resurgence, particularly in premium office towers. As workers return to offices, demand for prime locations has intensified, leading to a more competitive market for Class A spaces. Similarly, other major cities, including San Francisco and Chicago, are witnessing a bifurcation in office leasing trends, where well-positioned, high-quality buildings continue to attract tenants, while older and less-equipped buildings struggle with rising vacancies.

While Class A office buildings continue to perform well, the outlook for Class B and C properties is less favorable. CBRE's analysis indicates that rents for these properties have declined by 5.7% and 1.2%, respectively, as tenants seek to upgrade their office spaces. In many cases, landlords of lower-tier properties have been forced to lower rents or repurpose office buildings for alternative uses, such as residential conversions.

The office real estate investment trust (REIT) sector is dominated by a few large players that own and manage extensive portfolios of Class A office buildings.

• Boston Properties BXP is the largest publicly traded office REIT, with a focus on high-quality office properties in major urban markets, including Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The company's portfolio consists of premier office towers and mixed-use developments that cater to top-tier tenants in finance, technology, and professional services. Boston Properties pays an annual dividend of $3.92 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 5.68%.
  
• Kilroy Realty KRC specializes in Class A office properties along the West Coast, with a significant presence in markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and San Diego. The REIT is known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, owning state-of-the-art office buildings that appeal to leading technology and life sciences companies. Kilroy Realty currently offers a dividend yield of approximately 5.58%.
  
• Alexandria Real Estate Equities ARE focuses on life sciences office space, particularly in research and innovation hubs like Boston, San Francisco, and San Diego. Its portfolio consists of high-end laboratory and office facilities leased to biotech and pharmaceutical companies, positioning the REIT as a leader in the life sciences real estate sector. Alexandria Real Estate Equities declared a quarterly dividend of $1.32 per share, totaling $5.28 annually, which translates to a dividend yield of approximately 5.17%.

Conclusion
The demand for Class A office space in major U.S. cities remains strong as companies continue to prioritize quality, location, and employee experience. While the broader office market faces structural challenges, particularly for lower-tier properties, well-located, amenity-rich office buildings are outperforming. This trend underscores the ongoing transformation of the office sector, where premium spaces are becoming a critical differentiator for companies looking to attract and retain top talent.

The largest publicly traded office REITs, including Boston Properties, Kilroy Realty, and Alexandria Real Estate Equities, continue to dominate the market by focusing on high-end office properties that align with evolving tenant preferences while offering solid dividend yields to investors.