The Fort Worth office market closed out 2025 with mixed results but several notable signs of stabilization, according to a fourth-quarter analysis by global real estate firm JLL.

Overall net absorption for the year remained negative at roughly 266,000 square feet, pushing total vacancy to 18.6%. However, Class A properties recorded more than 250,000 square feet of positive absorption year-to-date, underscoring continued demand for higher-quality office space even as older inventory struggles.

Leasing activity was strongest among tenants relocating within the market rather than expanding or entering from outside the region. JLL noted that flight-to-quality moves have been a defining trend, with occupiers upgrading from Class B buildings into newer Class A and Trophy-class assets. That dynamic has driven vacancy higher in Class B properties across much of Fort Worth, while top-tier space has remained comparatively resilient.

One of the most significant transactions of the quarter was a 95,000-square-foot lease signed by Fort Worth-based Range Resources at 777 Main Street. The deal represented a headquarters relocation within the Fort Worth central business district and stood as the largest lease executed during the quarter, according to the report.

Submarket performance varied widely. South Fort Worth emerged as one of the tightest areas in the region, with vacancy falling to just over 7%, driven by sustained tenant demand. In contrast, North Fort Worth and several suburban submarkets experienced elevated vacancy levels as large blocks of space came back to the market.

Asking rents continued to edge upward despite soft overall absorption. Average direct asking rents across the Fort Worth market reached $29.09 per square foot, while Class A asking rents climbed to $31.49 per square foot, reflecting the premium placed on newer, amenity-rich space.

Looking ahead, JLL expects new Trophy-class development to reshape the market over the next decade. Projects currently underway or planned could add nearly 1.2 million square feet of high-end office space by 2035. While this expansion may temporarily pressure vacancy rates, the report notes that adaptive reuse or redevelopment of aging Class B buildings will be critical to maintaining long-term market balance.

By the Numbers

−266,291 Net absorption year-to-date (square feet)

18.6% Total office vacancy rate

250,048 Class A net absorption in 2025 (square feet)

$29.09 Average direct asking rent (per square foot)

$31.49 Average Class A asking rent (per square foot)

95,000 Square feet leased by Range Resources at 777 Main — the largest deal of the quarter

7.1% Vacancy rate in South Fort Worth, one of the tightest submarkets

279,129 Square feet currently under development

29.2% Preleased share of space under construction

~1.2 million Projected Trophy-class office space that could deliver by 2035

Source: JLL, Q4 2025 Fort Worth Office Market Analysis