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Puget Sound Office Market Shows Meaningful Recovery
The Puget Sound office market is showing signs of stabilization through the second quarter of 2026, with leasing activity surging to 3.4 million square feet year-to-date, a 62% increase from the 2.1 million square feet recorded during the same period in 2025.
According to a recent report by Cushman & Wakefield, overall vacancy ticked up modestly from 27.6% to 28.6% across the region. Absorption improved significantly from -2.41 million square feet in 2025 year-to-date to -386,368 square feet in 2026, signaling the market is approaching equilibrium.
“The first half of 2026 marked a meaningful turning point for the Puget Sound office market,” said Brian Cagayat, Research Manager, Pacific Northwest, Cushman & Wakefield. “The 62% year-over-year increase in leasing activity, combined with a sharp improvement in absorption, signals that occupiers are becoming more confident in making long-term real estate decisions.” The recovery was further reinforced by major lease transactions, including OpenAI’s 247,487-square-foot lease at City Center Plaza in Bellevue.

