TUCSON, AZ (Sept. 21, 2026) – The Office Trends issue of Trend Report is out this morning and from the looks of it, office isn’t coming back – it’s being remade. The office market is not returning to what it was before the pandemic. It is being remade.
After several difficult years, the numbers are finally moving in a more encouraging direction. National office demand has posted nine consecutive quarters of positive absorption, vacancies are declining, and both Tucson and Phoenix recorded improving conditions during the second quarter. Yet the recovery is not reaching every building equally.
Tenants are choosing quality, location and experience. Newer and well-maintained properties are capturing most of the demand, while older buildings without modern amenities continue to struggle. As Dave Volk explains in this issue, a traditional Class A designation is no longer enough. Buildings must continually reinvest to remain competitive, and even an older property can become a trophy asset when it offers the environment tenants now want…