As the office market in Kowloon grapples with a substantial oversupply, the atmosphere has become increasingly cautious among tenants. Steve Ng, Executive Director and Head of Kowloon Office Strategy & Solutions at Knight Frank, pointed out that the first half of the year has been particularly challenging, with more than 6.7 million square feet of new and existing inventory flooding the market.
“Demand remains scattered, with only a handful of significant transactions occurring,” Ng remarked, highlighting a widespread sentiment of hesitation among tenants opting for a “wait-and-see” approach. As a result, the marketplace appears stagnant, with little sign of a turnaround.
In June 2025, Kowloon office rents experienced a year-on-year decline of 3.6%, dropping to less than HK$1 per square foot. This figure hints at a broader trend of weakness within the market. The office vacancy rate has increased modestly by 1.2%, affirming a lack of confidence in a potential recovery. Tenant sentiments reveal a prevailing wariness and anticipation of further drops, signaling that any signs of recovery might still be far off.
Many tenants in Kowloon are entrenched in supply chain industries such as manufacturing, trading, and logistics. Despite a temporary pause in the US tariff conflict, ongoing trade pressures continue to rattle these sectors, leading to sustained weak demand for office space. With an oversupply that shows no signs of abating, we project a further decline in office rents in Kowloon, expecting a drop of 9% to 11% in 2025. Perhaps it’s time to think about converting those empty spaces into trendy pop-up shops or art galleries—there’s always a silver lining!
What challenges is the Kowloon office market currently facing?
The market is dealing with an oversupply of over 6.7 million square feet and weak tenant demand, leading to a stagnant atmosphere and only a few significant transactions.
How much have Kowloon office rents declined?
As of June 2025, rents have fallen by 3.6% year on year, landing at less than HK$1 per square foot.
What factors contribute to the expected rent decline in Kowloon?
The combination of a supply glut and ongoing trade pressures in key industries will likely result in a projected rent drop of 9% to 11% by 2025.
