Office rents in Hong Kong’s Central district are forecast to increase faster from the second quarter, reversing a slump that started in late 2019. Stronger demand has already cut grade-A vacancy rates to 9.6 per cent, a four-year low.
US bank Citi reported that premium office rents in Central have risen 1.7 per cent from an October low. Analysts Griffin Chan and Cindy Li said in a report released on Wednesday that lease negotiations have favoured landlords since late 2025 and are strengthening further in 2026.
They attributed the improvement to capital inflows, higher capital market activity and overseas expansion by Chinese firms. Additional gains are expected between the second half of this year and 2027.
Nearby districts are also benefiting. Admiralty is absorbing demand spilling over from Central, while West Kowloon has recorded robust take-up.