Portland’s central city’s office vacancy rate reached 30.2% by the end of 2023.

"According to Colliers, more than 1.4 million square feet of office space in downtown Portland was available for sublease at the end of 2023. The total available amount of space available for lease downtown was more than 32%. Collier expects that figure to reach 40% over the next year.

“We’re predicting vacancies to continue climbing into 2025,” Shields said. “Unlike other markets that are starting to see a turnaround, Portland hasn’t hit the bottom yet.”"

  • HabahnowEnglish
    6·
    7 months ago

    Would be really nice if more of that office space were apartments. So long as work from home numbers don’t decrease too much, I can imagine those building will slowly turn to condominiums and apartments.

    • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      7 months ago

      Carbon footprint would be lower to demolish and rebuild. Having floors and ceilings and walls does not make a multi-residence space.

    • Neuromancer@lemm.eeEnglish
      214·
      7 months ago

      There are plenty of living spaces in Portland. People are leaving the core city because it’s a dumpster fire. Building more housing would only make that worse.

      • HabahnowEnglish
        3·
        7 months ago

        Lol housing pricing in Portland is higher than average. That doesn’t happen if you have enough housing for people

        • Neuromancer@lemm.eeEnglish
          18·
          7 months ago

          Keep up. Downtown there is plenty of housing available. Go look at the inventory, dom and discounts.

          Building more housing where people don’t want to live isn’t the best way to solve a problem.

          • HabahnowEnglish
            2·
            7 months ago

            That doesn’t explain the very high price for housing. Why would the price remain so high, if nobody wants to live there? I’d argue people still want to live there.

            • Neuromancer@lemm.eeEnglish
              29·
              7 months ago

              People still think their crap Is worth a lot or they don’t want to take a loss. There is a large inventory sitting with a high dom in the down town area. That doesn’t show a large demand.

              Outside of downtown, I’d agree there is a large demand.

              • HabahnowEnglish
                2·
                7 months ago

                I could agree that that may be the reason for the continued high pricing. Regardless, more housing anywhere will help maintain a lower housing price, the US is lacking housing, and portland nor Oregon are an exception to this rule.

                • Neuromancer@lemm.eeEnglish
                  29·
                  7 months ago

                  One main reason is the influx of California money. They could get into stupid bidding wars. Covid seemed to spike the houses like crazy. Historically Oregon has been fairly affordable. It’s only recently it’s become stupid. Portland is seeing a population decline. I expect that to continue until the city take serious steps to restore the core.