Office Sales Jump 31% as CBD Transactions Accelerate

Office sales in the United States surged 31% year-over-year in July, with nationwide volume reaching $7.6 billion, according to Bisnow's summary of new Colliers sales data. The Central Business District (CBD) saw a particularly strong 46% growth, compared to 26% growth in suburban office sales. First-half office sales totaled $40 billion, up 14.1% from the same period in 2025. This rebound in office sales is part of a broader trend of improving fundamentals after several challenging years.

The source highlights several major deals that illustrate the pickup in office transactions. Williams Tower in Houston sold for $300 million, marking the city's largest office transaction since 2019. Hines also paid $151 million for an Austin office tower previously owned by Brandywine. These large, individual building sales contributed to the stronger office transaction activity, particularly in urban cores.

The increased growth in CBD sales was attributed primarily to individual building sales, while suburban growth was more dependent on portfolio transactions, including medical office deals. This split in transaction patterns by geography suggests that the office recovery is not limited to a single type of property or a specific region.

Other notable data points include a decline in vacancy rates in more than half of major US markets and a trend towards improved leasing conditions, supported in part by demand related to artificial intelligence.