The East Bay office market in 1Q 2026 shows modest improvement in net absorption alongside stable vacancy, while leasing and sales activity continue to soften year-over-year. Asking rents declined as availability rose, and construction activity remained at a standstill for the second consecutive quarter. Explore our full East Bay office market report for deeper insight into submarket performance and emerging trends.
1Q 2026 East Bay Office Market: Key Data Points
- Vacancy Rate Holds Steady: East Bay’s direct vacancy rate remained at 13.6%, matching last quarter and rising 110 bps year-over-year.
- Asking Rents Decline: Direct asking lease rates fell to $3.63/SF/Mo, a 6.7% decrease from 1Q 2025.
- Sales Volume Contracts: Sold square footage totaled 181,541 SF, marking a 40.5% YOY decline.
- Net Absorption Turns Positive: The market recorded +95,362 SF of net absorption, compared to -58,155 SF one year ago.
- No New Construction: The East Bay saw zero SF under construction or delivered, continuing a halt that began in late 2025.
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