US office sales rise 31% as CBD transactions accelerate

US office sales rose 31% year on year to a reported US$7.6 billion in July, according to figures attributed to Colliers data. Central business district sales increased 46%, outpacing the 26% rise recorded in suburban office transactions.

First-half office sales reached a reported US$40 billion, up 14.1% from the same period in 2025. New York, the Bay Area and Houston were identified as leading transaction markets during the period.

The month’s largest reported deals included the US$300 million sale of Williams Tower in Houston and Hines’ US$151 million purchase of an office tower in Austin previously owned by Brandywine.

Office prices rose a modest 4% year on year in July, making the sector the only traditional property class tracked by Colliers to record a pricing gain that month. Nationwide sales across major traditional property sectors totalled US$36.3 billion, down 1% from a year earlier.

Colliers attributed the stronger CBD performance mainly to individual-building sales, while suburban growth was driven more by portfolio transactions, including medical-office deals. Vacancy rates reportedly declined in more than half of major US markets, with artificial intelligence-related demand supporting leasing in New York and San Francisco.

The improved liquidity comes as the office sector continues to face post-pandemic distress. The reported figures point to stronger transaction activity, but do not by themselves establish a broad recovery across commercial property.