Donate today and get a Marketplace mug -- perfect for all your liquid assets! Donate now

In Shanghai, vacant storefronts abound, but it's still a struggle to find space

Jan 9, 2024
China's housing bubble has popped, and the commercial property market is going through a rough patch.
For lease signs are posted on an empty Shanghai coffee shop. The commercial property market is going through a transition after the city's severe pandemic lockdown.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

Could commercial real estate still tank regional banks?

Dec 21, 2023
A new study says that 300 regional banks are at risk of collapse because of the high number of vacancies in office buildings.
The delinquency rate on office loans tripled this year, says Trepp's Stephen Buschbom.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images

WeWork could declare bankruptcy anytime, but how is it still around?

Nov 1, 2023
The company has risen and fallen on its stylish co-working spaces, larger-than-life founder and ability to rake in — and spend — investors' cash.
WeWork’s business model has always been shaky, says professor Erik Gordon at the University of Michigan.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Here's what might happen if all that open office space stays empty

One thing seems likely, says Lisa Knee of EisnerAmper: real estate is going to need new, creative investors to stay on track.
Office building vacancies are climbing, property values are sagging. That might have implications for all of the investors tied up in commercial real estate debt.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

San Francisco's mayor challenges the public perception of her city

San Francisco's empty office buildings and fleeing retailers have been in the news. London Breed challenges that narrative.
Increasing housing production, Mayor London Breed says, is one of her main focuses. She also says San Francisco has to get creative with how to repurpose vacant office space.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The financial consequences of empty offices

Offices are at the epicenter of seismic pandemic shifts, per McKinsey's Aditya Sanghvi. They need to become places where people want to be.
Almost every company is reevaluating its relationship with commercial real estate, says Aditya Sanghvi of McKinsey.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Defaults on commercial real estate loans are rising as many workers stay remote

Jun 5, 2023
More than 3% of such loans are now delinquent.
Renters may be able to get a better deal on office space right now — but many are sticking to the sidelines.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Fewer cranes on the horizon? Banking tumult could slow nonresidential construction

Mar 28, 2023
Smaller and regional banks are major lenders not only for office construction, but also building projects like hospitals, educational institutions and ports.
Cranes on a construction site in southeast Baltimore work to build office space. Spending for non-residential projects is up nearly 16% in the past year, according to the Census Bureau, and that is due in part to rising building costs.
Stephanie Hughes/Marketplace

Could commercial real estate be the next shoe to drop at regional banks?

Mar 27, 2023
Analysts say there's no reason to panic, but the sinking values of commercial properties could make those banks' balance sheets look pretty bad.
 "The banks have $270 billion of commercial real estate loans coming due this year," said Matt Anderson, a managing director at Trepp Inc.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Who still wants a "trophy building"?

Mar 10, 2023
The market for skyscrapers with great views and lush amenities is softening.
Office spaces with amenities like rooftop terraces and kombucha on tap may be on the chopping block for companies trying to rein in costs.
Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images