Office Market Report / Fourth Quarter 2020 Houston Quick Stats Houston’s office market faces challenges diverse talent base and a friendly business 4.1 as it struggles to overcome the significant climate for a multitude of industries has Msf of office space under disruptions created by the effects of the attracted office users from other areas of construction global pandemic along with a diminished the country. Hewlett Packard Enterprises energy sector. At present, overall recently reported plans to move its demand for space remains sluggish as global headquarters from California tenants determine current and future to its new campus in North Houston office space needs contemplating ever- that is presently under construction. changing, work-from-home policies. 19.6% The Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) Direct vacancy in Houston’s Houston has regained about 50% of all jobs recently reported 18 new projects evaluated office market lost, but meaningful economic recovery Houston’s MSA during 2020 with a similar depends on controlling the pandemic. The outlook for 2021 as the area’s diversity arrival of the vaccine has created optimism, expands. The GHP’s recent forecast and some firms are making decisions. For projected growth of 35,000 to 52,000 firms that have made leasing decisions new jobs next year, with most happening 6.5 during the fourth quarter of 2020, flight during the second half of the year. Msf of available sublease to quality remains a factor as evidenced space, up from 5.6 msf in third by those companies opting for newer Another bright spot is the metro’s growing quarter 2020 buildings or buildings with substantial technology sector, which is attracting new upgrades being completed. In some business incubators and start-ups along instances, leases completed this quarter with prominent firms. Microsoft Corp. just include new configurations or workplace signed on to join Chevron Corp. as both a strategies allowing for more flexibility, tenant and a partner in Houston’s future 8.9% and, potentially, smaller footprints. innovation hub currently underway in The November 2020 Ion, a 288,000-square-foot (sf) facility at unemployment rate in metro Tenants clearly have the upper hand as 4201 Main. Dallas-based Common Desk, Houston, up from 7.7% in vacancy and availability rates continue who has reportedly leased 58,000 sf of October 2020 to rise along with concession packages. co-working space in The Ion, will offer Despite Houston’s soft office market, flexibility to start-ups in the redeveloped the combination of a low cost of living, a space scheduled for completion during © 2021 Avison Young - Texas, LLC. All rights reserved. E&OE: The information contained herein was obtained from sources which we deem reliable and, while thought to be correct, is not guaranteed by Avison Young. Houston Office Market Report / Fourth Quarter 2020 the first quarter of 2021. All classes overall added to prior points to 25.8%. Availability differs space losses for a year-end total of from vacancy; available space includes Metro Houston’s almost 4.4 msf of direct negative net all space being marketed that could be November absorption for 2020. The office market leased but may or may not be vacant. unemployment has struggled during the last few rate jumped 1.1 msf years as the energy crisis has caused Available sublease to 8.9% from oil and gas firms to consolidate and space also increased 7.7% in October, contract, offsetting the large gains 14.7% to almost 6.5 according to the Total leasing from 2012 through 2016. Energy msf during fourth activity $ 96 Texas Workforce firms continue to adjust with several quarter; this amount 30 Commission. The reducing their footprints due to of sublease is much GHP estimates that the region will budget cuts and staff reductions. smaller than the Average experience its usual seasonal job record-level 10.9 asking rent losses through January with most Leasing activity is on a downward trend msf available in growth resuming in the second half with fourth quarter’s 1.1 msf, a record 2016. Sublease of 2021. According to the GHP’s jobs’ low that is nearly 50% of third-quarter’s space is multiplying in many large forecast, every sector will register activity. For the year, the metro markets across the country, but job growth except energy and retail recorded 11.7 msf of leasing activity, currently represents about 11% of the with the following sectors creating a 37% drop from 2019’s 18.6 msf. total 60.8 msf available in Houston. the most jobs: administrative Three submarkets account for 55.5% support services, health care and Notable fourth-quarter activity of all available sublease space in social assistance, manufacturing included TC Pipelines, formerly the metro with the Katy Freeway and professional services. TransCanada, extending its 320,504-sf lease to 2030 in its namesake building West/Energy Corridor submarket offering more than 1.4 msf available, Absorption & Demand at 700 Louisiana. The West Loop sector reported two late December the CBD with almost 1.4 msf and Leasing activity is slowly being the West Loop with 794,781 sf. reinvigorated but is not keeping deals: Cadence Bank signed a new 82,215-sf lease in Park Towers South pace with the large amounts of office Construction while JLL committed to 81,999 sf in space both available and returning The construction pipeline stands at 200 Park Place, a building completed to the market. The global pandemic 19 buildings totaling 4.1 msf under and corresponding work-from- earlier this year. Each firm will be consolidating local offices. The construction and 62% preleased; home policies continue to cause several of the larger projects are hesitation for leasing decisions. Houston Fire Department also leased 55,155 sf in 500 Jefferson downtown, scheduled to deliver in late 2021. Two buildings totaling 84,800 sf were Despite a total of 1.1 million square and Yang Ming Corporation leased completed during the fourth quarter, feet (msf) of direct negative net 34,541 sf for a global headquarters at and one 92,839-sf building at 4411 absorption for the quarter, eight 3250 Briarpark Drive in Westchase. San Felipe broke ground. Overall, submarkets posted positive gains. 15 smaller buildings totaling 1.2 The Woodlands led with 120,472 sf Vacancy & Availability of positive net absorption followed The current direct vacancy rate msf were completed during 2020. by Katy/Grand Parkway West with increased 50 basis points from last Asking rents 41,257 sf of positive net absorption. quarter to 19.6%. Class A’s direct Overall average asking rents increased The Central Business District (CBD) vacancy rate is slightly higher at 20.6% to $30.96 per square foot (psf) gross reported numerous moveouts; as a while Class B vacancy rates decreased from last quarter’s $30.30 psf and result, it recorded the largest amount to 19.4% during from $30.72 psf recorded year over of negative absorption at 627,591 sf for fourth quarter. Total year. This quarter marks a record the quarter, bringing the CBD’s annual vacancy including high as quoted asking rents have sum of negative absorption to 1.4 msf. sublease space fluctuated in the $28-to-$31-psf range is now at 20.7%, 19.6% during the last five years. However, Relocations in the CBD this quarter slightly up from included Waste Management, who effective rents are declining due last quarter’s 20% Direct moved into 316,081 sf in Bank of and 19.7% from vacancy rate to the current economic climate. America Tower while leaving 273,233 this time last year. Landlords are expected to continue sf in One City Centre. EDP Renewables offering numerous concessions North America also moved into its Direct availability citywide increased to close deals including lengthy new 92,523 sf in Hess Tower, leaving to 23.2% during the fourth quarter, rent abatements, large tenant- its former 90,653-sf space in the while total availability, including improvement allowances and Esperson Building at 808 Travis. sublease space, increased 70 basis substantial amounts of free parking. © 2021 Avison Young - Texas, LLC. All rights reserved. E&OE: The information contained herein was obtained from sources which we deem reliable and, while thought to be correct, is not guaranteed by Avison Young. Houston Office Market Report / Fourth Quarter 2020 Asking rents Fourth quarter 2020 highlights $2 • Hewlett Packard Enterprises announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from California to office space the firm is currently leasing in two under-construction buildings totaling $31 568,000 sf in Springwoods Village near The Woodlands. $0 • The largest lease signed during fourth quarter was an extension by TC Pipelines in its namesake building, TC Energy Center at 700 Louisiana. The firm, formerly known as $2 TransCanada, plans on staying in its 320,504 sf until 2030. $2 • During fourth quarter, leasing activity was strongest in the 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 CBD, the West Loop and the Westchase sectors along with two new leases in Midtown reported for The Ion, the city’s new innovation hub to open in the first half of 2021. • Representing the largest absorption for the quarter was Waste Management’s move into its new 316,081 sf in Bank Vacancy rates of America Tower at 800 Capitol in the CBD. The firm left behind 273,333 sf in One City Centre, 1021 Main. 20 • New construction is limited, with DC Partners breaking ground on a seven-story, 92,839-sf building at 4411 San Felipe during fourth 15% quarter, joining the current under-construction pipeline of 19 buildings totaling 4.1 msf.