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DFW Industrial Leasing Hits Records as Office Vacancy Falls in Q1 2026
The Dallas-Fort Worth market continues to draw national investment interest, with record industrial leasing and falling office vacancy rates shaping opportunities for buyers.
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Dallas-Fort Worth has held its position as the top market for commercial real estate investment in the United States for the fifth consecutive year, according to CBRE’s Investor Intentions Survey. For buyers looking at the region in 2026, the data from the first quarter offers a clear picture of where demand is concentrated and what kinds of properties are drawing the most attention.
Industrial Leasing Hits a Record Start
Industrial leasing activity in DFW totaled 18.5 million square feet in Q1 2026, marking the strongest first quarter on record for the market, according to Cushman & Wakefield market reports. That volume signals continued appetite for warehouse and distribution space, particularly in the submarkets along the Interstate 35 and Interstate 20 corridors that connect the region to national logistics networks. Buyers looking at industrial assets should focus on properties near major highway interchanges and the expanding infrastructure around Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where land for new development remains in high demand.
Office Vacancy Narrows as Rents Climb
Office vacancy in DFW decreased to 24.5% in Q1 2026, falling 100 basis points year-over-year for the fourth consecutive quarter of improvement, according to the same Cushman & Wakefield data. Full-service asking rental rates hit a new high of $33.16 per square foot, up 6.1% year-over-year. The narrowing vacancy suggests that tenants are committing to higher-quality space, particularly in the Uptown and Victory Park districts, where newer buildings with amenity packages are commanding premiums. Buyers looking at office acquisitions should evaluate assets that have undergone recent capital improvements or are positioned in submarkets with direct access to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail system.
For investors entering the DFW market, the combination of sustained investment interest and improving fundamentals in both industrial and office sectors provides a data-driven basis for targeting specific property types and locations. The first-quarter figures reinforce that the region’s economic expansion continues to underpin demand across commercial real estate categories.
This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.