08/13/2026
Move-in-ready office spaces are capturing more demand, but property owners still have to decide what to build before a tenant is known.
According to CoStar data covering San Diego office leases under 10,000 square feet, 83% of leasing activity was for move-in-ready spaces, including spec suites and fully built-out offices.
The difference becomes even clearer as suite size increases. Move-in-ready spaces between 5,000 and 7,500 square feet leased in an average of 27 months, compared to 60 months for spaces requiring additional build-out. In the 7,500 to 10,000-square-foot range, that comparison was 36 months versus 68 months.
For property owners, the opportunity is clear, but so is the risk. Building before a tenant is identified means the layout, finishes, and overall investment must appeal to a broad range of potential users without overbuilding the space.
Bingham’s in-house design capabilities connect those early decisions directly to estimating and construction. Layout, finishes, cost, flexibility, and constructability are evaluated together, helping owners define the right scope, reduce unnecessary design time, and deliver market-ready spec suites more efficiently.
The market is already showing what tenants prefer. The real advantage comes from designing and building the right spaces for that demand.
Source: CoStar, San Diego office leasing data, 2024 through Q2 2026.
