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Return to office discussion

We're used this thread a bit as a general office space demand thread.........as such I will park this here:

From this Renx article:

renx.ca

Tech companies pick up pace of downtown Toronto office leasing

The technology industry’s share of downtown Toronto office leasing has increased from 10 per cent last year to 15 per cent this year, according to Avison Young, ranking it second to the financial services sector at 46 per cent.
renx.ca renx.ca

1765285465452.png


3.5% vacancy in 'trophy' or 'AAA' office buildings rivals the pre-Covid numbers and we're not yet at full return to office, which I'm projecting as February to May '26.

This is strongly suggestive of at least one major tower moving forward.

The poorer overall number suggests we need to see more B/C buildings come down, be converted to residential, or undergo a comprehensive reno/refit.
 
Northern Light said:
We're used this thread a bit as a general office space demand thread.........as such I will park this here:

From this Renx article:

renx.ca

Tech companies pick up pace of downtown Toronto office leasing

The technology industry’s share of downtown Toronto office leasing has increased from 10 per cent last year to 15 per cent this year, according to Avison Young, ranking it second to the financial services sector at 46 per cent.
renx.ca renx.ca

View attachment 701627

3.5% vacancy in 'trophy' or 'AAA' office buildings rivals the pre-Covid numbers and we're not yet at full return to office, which I'm projecting as February to May '26.

This is strongly suggestive of at least one major tower moving forward.

The poorer overall number suggests we need to see more B/C buildings come down, be converted to residential, or undergo a comprehensive reno/refit.
Click to expand...
THE HUB!!!
 
Towered said:
THE HUB!!!
Click to expand...

Probably. Not a done deal, but they are certainly on the hunt for their anchor and their are potential anchors in the market.

Some of the other proposed towers that appear dormant also have feelers out to potential tenants; but the Hub appears best positioned to be the first out of the gate.
 
Tuscani01 said:
First day back in office for me, and stuck at desk with a keyboard where the letter "c" doesn't work. This is nice.
Click to expand...
Best luck. I couldn’t do it, and will strive to finish my career in 3-4 years firmly WFH. I don’t know how I managed for twenty plus years before the Covid WFH push to drive from downtown to my full time office jobs in Concord, KW (briefly), Markham and finally Port Credit. I must have been mad.
 
Admiral Beez said:
Best luck. I couldn’t do it, and will strive to finish my career in 3-4 years firmly WFH. I don’t know how I managed for twenty plus years before the Covid WFH push to drive from downtown to my full time office jobs in Concord, KW (briefly), Markham and finally Port Credit. I must have been mad.
Click to expand...

My mom just got that offer. Going from 3 days a week in office to zero as her company is ditching its office space as of March. She figures she has 2-3 more years left before she retires so it was perfect timing.
 
RTO appears to be helping the construction industry with the need for renovations.

Return-to-office mandates drive commercial renovation surge in Toronto

Stephanie Uprichard, CEO and principal designer with Studio Forma Interior Design, a GTA-based firm specializing in office and commercial spaces, said the company had its best ever year in 2025, spurred in part by demand for back-to-office renovations.

In an interview with TorontoToday, Uprichard said business shows no signs of slowing: “So far in January, we’re breaking last year’s [records].”

Supreet Barhay, a principal with WZMH Architects, said the firm is also seeing increased demand from companies in Toronto looking to refresh their spaces.
Click to expand...
 
christiesplits said:
RTO appears to be helping the construction industry with the need for renovations.

Return-to-office mandates drive commercial renovation surge in Toronto
Click to expand...
This is certainly true, though I can say one thing is many of these renovations have not been met positively by the actual employees.

They did this where I work and we were shown all kinds of high-concept futuristic design diagrams, but once finally complete the new renovated space we moved into feels and looks cheap, because it is.
I learned they actually ran out of budget for it half-way through and had to cut back on the quality of everything because, like all renovations, it costs way more than you plan for.
It also took them WAY longer than expected to finish it, almost a whole year longer. Much of the enhanced office tech from video conferencing to self-controlled room lightning doesn't work properly, or is functionally useless.

I'd rather have the old office back in its full early 2000's glory.
 
I absolutely hate the open office plans. I used to hate cubicles but man, give me cubicles over this super loud and distracting open office. Granted, the open office plan happened pre-Covid, but it was terrible then too, but now, add in the fact there's no assigned seating and it becomes even more of mess.
 
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