From Dust to Dollars: Why Office Space Deserves a Second Look

Close your eyes and picture an office building. Perhaps you imagine empty floors under flickering fluorescent lights, abandoned desks layered in dust, and chairs frozen mid-spin—silent echoes of a workforce that never returned. Outside, weeds creep through cracked asphalt of a courtyard that is seldom visited.



While this story of abandonment may be true for some buildings, others are experiencing a renaissance. From medical offices to creative workspaces, adaptable properties are defying the odds—and seeing low vacancy rates even in a tough office market.

The Resilience of Medical Office Buildings

Among office types, medical office buildings stand out as a particularly resilient asset class. The essential, in-person nature of healthcare creates consistent demand, and the sector continues to grow alongside rising healthcare needs.

For investors, this creates an exciting opportunity: purchase traditional offices at a discount and convert them into medical office spaces. While conversion costs can be significant, the returns are often worth it. I recently brokered two medical office leases at rates exceeding those of the previous tenants, highlighting the sector’s rent growth and potential profitability. Not to mention, both of those medical office assets are seeing very minimal vacancy.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Quasi-Retail and Flex Office Spaces

Single-story office buildings that blend retail and industrial are also thriving. As retail experiences a revival, these adaptable spaces are in high demand. They appeal to tenants who value the accessibility of retail paired with the practicality of office or light industrial use.

Over the past year, I was able to fill an underperforming single-story office building near downtown Denver by changing the marketing strategy. Instead of trying to find traditional office users, I targeted groups like design firms, tattoo artists, and other creative user that liked the ability to have identity and easy access for clients. For investors willing to upgrade and reposition these assets, the payoff can be significant.

Unique and Inspiring Office Spaces

The trend toward creative, non-traditional office spaces continues. Tenants and employees seek environments that inspire collaboration and reflect their brand identity. Spaces that resemble boutique hotels or trendy cafes outperform conventional layouts, even in markets with high vacancy rates.

If you own—or are considering purchasing—a unique or high-quality office property, strategic marketing and positioning can attract strong leasing interest.

Why Now is the Time to Invest

Today’s office market presents a rare window of opportunity. Certain office types—medical, flex, and creative spaces—are still drawing strong demand, and the current market conditions allow investors to acquire these properties at significant discounts.

For landlords and tenants alike, the key is adaptability. Properties that meet modern needs, whether through design, flexibility, or purpose-driven use, will continue to perform well as the market stabilizes.

With over a decade of experience and a track record of leasing and selling all types of commercial properties—office, retail, and industrial—I’m here to help you navigate this evolving landscape. Whether you’re looking to purchase, lease, or reposition an asset, let’s work together to seize the opportunities in today’s market.