Western Market Reports Archives - REBusinessOnline

Denver’s Multifamily Market Turns the Corner

John Nelson — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 11:01:00 +0000

— By Adam Riddle of MMG Real Estate Advisors — After a difficult stretch, Denver’s rental market is showing signs of relief. Absorption picked up sharply in the second quarter, with renters absorbing more new apartments than developers delivered. This is the first time that’s happened on a trailing 12-month basis since late 2021. It’s a meaningful shift after two years defined by heavy construction and soft pricing. The supply wave that pressured the market is receding. New deliveries are down nearly 40 percent from a year ago, and the number of units still under construction has shrunk to less than 4 percent of existing inventory, well below the 2023 high of around 11 percent. A handful of submarkets, particularly Englewood/Littleton, still carry a sizable pipeline worth watching, but for most of the metro, the worst of the construction overhang appears to be behind it. Rent trends have been the last piece to catch up. Average effective rents are still down from a year ago, a lingering effect of the concessions landlords leaned on to fill units during the delivery wave. Thankfully, the quarterly trend has turned positive for two straight quarters now. Occupancy is climbing too, albeit gradually. Taken…

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Denver’s Retail Market Is at a Crossroads

John Nelson — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 11:47:00 +0000

— By Tony Pierangeli of SRS Real Estate Partners — On the surface, Denver’s retail real estate market looks healthy. Vacancy remains low, rents have held firm and investment activity has strengthened. Industry sources reported a vacancy rate between 4 percent and 5 percent in the second quarter of 2026. The market has recently added a couple of new-to-market retailers, and grocery remains one of the most active and consistent segments. Grocery-anchored centers, convenience-oriented retail and quick-service concepts continue to expand, providing a strong foundation for the market. But the statistics don’t tell the entire story. Beneath the surface, a growing number of retailers, developers and landlords are confronted with a fundamental challenge: the economics of new retail development have become increasingly difficult to pencil. Construction costs remain elevated, municipal fees have increased, financing remains expensive, and protracted zoning and permitting processes add significant time and uncertainty to a project. Colorado’s property tax structure can also contribute to high triple-net expenses for retailers. At the same time, state and local requirements related to electrification, EV charging, composting and higher wages can add to operating and development costs, making the market less competitive for some concepts. The result is a market…

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Idaho Retail Growth Expands Beyond Traditional Shopping Centers

John Nelson — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 11:39:00 +0000

— By Don Zebe of Colliers Idaho — more mature and geographically diverse stage of growth. While the Treasure Valley remains the state’s primary development engine, retail expansion is increasingly occurring in markets such as Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Ammon, Rexburg, Pocatello-Chubbuck, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. Idaho’s population surpassed 2 million residents in 2025, providing a strong foundation for grocery, restaurant, medical, service and neighborhood-oriented retail uses. However, population growth alone no longer guarantees project success. Elevated construction and financing costs have made retailers and developers increasingly selective, placing greater emphasis on access, visibility, traffic patterns and regional drawing power. Treasure Valley Remains the Development Leader The Treasure Valley continues to receive the greatest volume of retail construction and leasing activity in Idaho. Major projects like the District at Ten Mile in Meridian reflect the growing preference for mixed-use destinations that combine retail, dining, fitness and services. The continued expansion of the Village at Meridian further demonstrates the market’s ability to attract both first-to-market and expanding national retailers. Despite ongoing development activity, the Boise-area retail market remains relatively tight, with retail vacancy at 4.4 percent in the second quarter of 2026, supporting continued demand for well-located space. Magic Valley Growth Strengthens…

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Boise Office Market Gains Ground Ahead of Micron’s Expansion

John Nelson — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 11:21:00 +0000

— By Patrick Shalz of TOK Commercial — Amid an office landscape that remains uneven nationally, the Boise MSA continues to distinguish itself with steady fundamentals, improving vacancy and rising rents. The market remained on solid footing through the second quarter of 2026. Overall vacancy held steady at 6.6 percent, down from 7.2 percent one year ago. It has remained remarkably consistent throughout the first half of the year, fluctuating by just one-tenth of a percentage point. Multi-tenant vacancy also improved, declining to 10.2 percent from 10.5 percent a year earlier, reflecting continued demand for quality multi-tenant space. Overall asking lease rates reached a record high of $23 per square foot (full-service, annual), with nearly every submarket posting year-over-year rent growth. Class A asking rates also strengthened, increasing 2 percent from last year to $25.50 per square foot. Leasing activity shifted toward larger transactions in the first half of 2026. Although the total number of office transactions declined nearly 10 percent year over year, net absorption increased 36 percent, indicating that tenants leased larger blocks of space than in the prior year. Smaller suites account for the majority of activity, but their share of the market softened with spaces of…

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Portland Industrial Market Finds Stability as Supply Pressures Ease

John Nelson — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:34:00 +0000

— By David Tabata of Marcus & Millichap — After several years of rapid expansion, elevated vacancy and shifting global trade patterns, Portland’s industrial market is entering a more balanced phase. While tariff uncertainty and evolving West Coast trade dynamics continue to influence leasing decisions, improving fundamentals are creating new opportunities for occupiers and investors. One of the market’s most encouraging developments is the gradual stabilization of activity at the Port of Portland. Following pandemic-related disruptions and reduced container traffic, port operations have begun to recover, giving industrial users greater confidence in long-term planning. Portland’s strategic location also continues to support its role as a key distribution hub for the Pacific Northwest. At the same time, the development pipeline has slowed significantly. After several years of elevated construction, new deliveries are expected to remain well below recent peaks, allowing the market time to absorb existing inventory. Although vacancy has increased, the slowdown in new supply should help ease competitive pressure and support healthier market conditions over time. Demand remains strongest for modern warehouse and distribution facilities near major transportation infrastructure, including the Interstate 5 Corridor, Interstate 84 and port-related logistics hubs. Smaller industrial buildings also continue to perform well, driven…

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Portland Multifamily: Stabilization After a Historic Supply Cycle

John Nelson — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:23:00 +0000

— By Jordan Carter and Clay Newton of Kidder Mathews — Portland’s multifamily market is showing signs of stabilization after working through one of the largest apartment construction cycles in its history, compounded by one of the most dramatic swings in lending rates in recent memory. This combination compressed investment activity, weighed on asset values and drove sales volume to decade lows. Demand remains healthy, with apartment absorption over the past 12 months totaling about 3,500 units, in line with long-term historical averages and nearly double the trough of 2023. Vacancy currently sits at 7.1 percent, down from its 2024 peak and below the national average of 8.3 percent. The most consequential shift is the rapid decline in new supply. As of mid-2026, about 2,400 units remain under construction, totaling roughly 1 percent of inventory growth. Deliveries in 2025 were half of 2024 levels, and 2026 is projected to be half of 2025. This is creating the lightest new supply environment in more than a decade as higher interest rates, rising construction costs and tighter lending standards have constrained development. Rent growth remains under pressure but should bottom out near-term as the supply demand balance continues to tighten. Asking rents…

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Portland Retail Finds Strength in Experience-Driven Tenants

John Nelson — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 11:19:00 +0000

— By Austin McElroy of Colliers — Portland’s retail market is performing better than the headlines suggest. With vacancy sitting at 4.6 percent and triple-net rents averaging $24.45 per square foot — a 10 percent increase over just two years — the market reflects a quiet resilience built on selectivity rather than volume. The concepts and submarkets gaining traction share a common thread: they actively engage visitors, drawing people in and consistently driving repeat visits. Meanwhile, structural forces are reshaping the playing field. A suspension of the ground-floor retail mandate, a proposed vacancy tax, and a dramatic split in performance between suburban and urban submarkets are defining a leasing environment where quality of space matters more than quantity of options. Experience Outpaces Transactions The clearest trend reshaping Portland retail is the primacy of experience over pure transaction. Concepts that draw repeat visits, create community and deliver something beyond a simple purchase are generating foot traffic that traditional transactional retail cannot match. Nowhere is this more evident than at Bridgeport Village in Tualatin where the opening of a LEGO store drove a 19 percent year-over-year surge in foot traffic — a striking result for a single tenant addition. LaVerne’s Restaurant and Bar…

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What Comes After Live-Work-Play? South Coast Metro Has Some Observations

John Nelson — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:15:00 +0000

— By Diane Pritchett of South Coast Metro Alliance — How do maturing mixed-use districts stay competitive as office, retail, multifamily and hospitality demand patterns continue to shift? The experience of South Coast Metro in Orange County, Calif., offers several practical lessons. In the 1960s, developer and philanthropist Henry Segerstrom envisioned the growth of a vibrant urban center that became South Coast Metro, covering 2,500 acres within 3.5 square miles, including sections of Costa Mesa and Santa Ana. Today, the district’s continued evolution offers a useful case study for other employment centers, mixed-use districts and economic development organizations looking to remain relevant as tenant and resident expectations change. Start with a Strong Anchor, then Keep it Current When the Segerstroms developed South Coast Plaza, they believed the indoor shopping destination would become a magnet, attracting others to the area. That anchor helped establish South Coast Metro’s identity well beyond Orange County. The lesson for other districts is that an anchor only works if it continues to evolve. Tenant mix, programming, dining, public space and visitor experience all need regular attention as consumer and workforce expectations change. Make Experience Part of the Business Case Office districts can no longer rely on…

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Power-Hungry Users Drive Orange County Industrial Demand

John Nelson — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 11:10:00 +0000

— By Wes Hunnicutt of Stream Realty Partners — The Orange County industrial market is showing signs of stabilization through the first half of 2026 after experiencing more challenging conditions throughout 2025. Vacancy has increased from the historic lows seen during the pandemic-driven expansion cycle and is currently hovering around 5.5 percent, while asking lease rates have begun to stabilize following a significant correction from the record highs achieved in 2023. Since the beginning of 2025, more than 3 million square feet of new Class A industrial inventory has been delivered throughout Orange County, representing more than 20 industrial distribution development projects. While these developments have elevated overall market availability, leasing activity within the newly delivered product has been slower than anticipated. Many of these buildings have remained vacant for 10 months or more after completion, reflecting a narrower pool of tenants able to justify the occupancy costs associated with large, modern industrial facilities. Notable leasing transactions within recently delivered Class A developments include: — Anduril Industries’ 177,766-square-foot lease at 1100 Valencia Ave. in Tustin — Anduril Industries’ 162,656-square-foot lease at 3100 South Harbor Blvd. in Santa Ana — Hyper Solutions’ 100,784-square-foot lease at 2100 East Howell Ave. in Anaheim…

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Orange County Office Finds Firmer Footing After Years of Vacancy Pressure

John Nelson — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:07:00 +0000

— By Shane Halpern of Avison Young — The Orange County office market comprises about 1,800 buildings totaling more than 126 million square feet of inventory. After navigating a period of elevated vacancy and negative absorption between 2020 and 2023, the market has entered a measured recovery phase characterized by three consecutive quarters of positive net absorption, declining vacancy and stabilizing rental rates. Over the past decade, the Orange County office market has delivered 78 properties and 8.1 million square feet of new supply, supported by a regulatory environment that’s comparatively more business-permissive than neighboring Los Angeles County. Orange County employment grew from 1.7 million jobs in 2020 to more than 1.8 million in 2025, an 8.6 percent increase over five years. It did this despite a 1.1 percent regional population decline over the same period. Demand for office space is anchored by three industries: healthcare, government and professional services. All of these sectors have demonstrated consistent space requirements through varying market cycles. After peaking at 14.8 percent in 2023, total vacancy has compressed to 12.6 percent in the first quarter of 2026, the lowest level recorded since first-quarter 2022. The market has posted three consecutive quarters of positive net…

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OC Multifamily Market Continues to Gain Momentum

John Nelson — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:03:00 +0000

— By Shane Shafer of Colliers — The Orange County multifamily market continues to attract significant investor attention as buyers increasingly view the broader Southern California environment as an opportunity to acquire assets at more attractive prices following the market’s recent adjustment. Orange County has emerged as one of the most sought-after investment destinations due to its strong economic fundamentals, population growth and operational stability. This renewed confidence has led to increased transaction activity and greater competition for well-located assets throughout SoCal’s best multifamily submarkets. Looking ahead, market fundamentals are expected to continue improving. Employment growth, housing affordability challenges and limited new supply continue to support long-term apartment demand. Markets like Orange County are particularly well-positioned due to its diversified economies, high barriers to entry and strong demographic trends. These factors have contributed to stable occupancy levels and continued rent growth across much of the region, especially in urban infill submarkets. A notable trend in today’s market is the increasing number of Los Angeles-based owners seeking acquisitions in Orange County. This market allows investors to diversify geographically while remaining close to existing portfolios. Many owners view this strategy as an effective way to balance exposure across multiple Southern California markets…

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It’s Summertime in SoCal, And Orange County Retail Is Hot

John Nelson — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:31:00 +0000

— By John Read of CBRE Retail Investment Properties-West — Often defined by its 42 miles of Pacific coastline, Orange County’s weather may not be the hottest throughout the Southern California region, but its retail performance arguably is. Orange County remains a target for retailers and investors alike, driving it to be one of the strongest retail markets in the larger region and nation. Orange County’s coastline and famously consistent weather with globally recognized theme parks — Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm — and retail landmarks like South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island, do contribute to the region’s exposure and appeal, but the county’s retail fundamentals are planted in its scale and demographics. Orange County’s nearly 800 square miles are home to more than 3.1 million residents and one of the most diverse populations in the U.S. with significant affluence and education. Average household income exceeds $157,000 and 46 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. With diversified industry sectors and major employers, including Disney, UC Irvine, Providence, Kaiser Permanente and Hoag, Orange County’s unemployment rate remains low, ending May 2026 at 3.5 percent. Together, those factors support retail fundamentals that remain stronger than many comparable markets. The…

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