2026 News Archive

In 1Q2026, the slowdown from the 2020 industrial distribution center boom has finally cooled, but the next big wave of development growth that impacts land development is in full-tilt with Al and Data Centers the major buzzwords at the forefront of everyone's minds in 2026.

Houston's retail leasing bounced back in early 2026, with first-quarter activity estimated at 2.8 million SF more than 25% above the pre-pandemic average driven heavily by high-growth suburban corridors like Montgomery County, Katy, and Bridgeland. However, the market is increasingly two-tiered: fitness, experiential entertainment, off-price, and grocery tenants are actively expanding and backfilling former big-box spaces, while food-and-beverage and discretionary retailers are pulling back. Elevated tenant churn remains a challenge, with move-outs averaging 3.2 million SF per quarter for eight consecutive quarters, the highest sustained pace since 2018.