A Bloomberg news report says Silicon Valley has the biggest office space glut since the
dot-com bust, leaving the U.S. technology hub with empty high-rises and
office parks that make it impossible for landlords to sustain average
rents.
More than 43 million square feet of office space stood vacant in the third quarter of last year -- that's the equivalent to 15 Empire State buildings and a vacancy rate over 21% for the silicon valley area.
Asking rents averaged $34.56 a square foot for Class A space in the third quarter, 21 percent less than a year earlier. The rate for flex space was $14.16 a square foot, down 16 percent, according to CB Richard Ellis.
Commercial property foreclosures will at least double in 2010 and job growth is not expected to return for two years after that, held back by U.S. consumers who are saving more and changing their spending habits.
Unemployment in the greater San Jose area was 11.8 percent in November.
