Around 30% Of San Francisco’s Commercial Office Space Is Now Vacant

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What’s going on:      

San Francisco’s commercial real estate market is receiving the full force that comes with a lack of physical office workers. The city’s renowned corporate tenants – including tenants like Meta Platforms Inc and Salesforce Inc – are now deciding to sublet office spaces rather than waiting around for their commercial leases to expire, according to WSJ.  

Reports suggest that commercial real estate valuations within the city have also decreased significantly. One prime example is a 22-story building located at 350 California Street. In 2019 the building was worth $300 million. WSJ reported that the same building in 2023 is now for sale, with offers expected to arrive at around $60 million – a significantly decreased valuation of around 80%.   

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The lack of workers returning to physical office spaces in San Francisco has also had major financial implications for the surrounding local economy. Restaurants, retailers, and other small businesses in the city are reportedly feeling the negative impact of a decrease in physical workers in the area.  

Why it matters:      

San Francisco is only one of many large U.S. cities that are feeling the burden of reduced office-worker turnout – accelerated in part by the pandemic. However, San Francisco in particular is an extreme case because the city relied on many prominent commercial tenants that work within the tech industry. The tech industry has not only become quick to embrace hybrid work environments, but it is also an industry that is now experiencing a significant number of layoffs.  

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How it’ll impact the future:      

The increase in office vacancies across the country may prompt a reimagining of urban spaces and the role which commercial real estate plays in major cities. More buildings in larger cities may become vacant as companies of all sizes embrace hybrid work environments.   

Companies are also learning to embrace coworking spaces which may contribute to the trend of traditional offices being listed as vacant. That is because coworking spaces cater to the needs of companies adapting to new economic climates with remote and hybrid workers, and digital nomads. 

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