July 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Manager, Lee & Associates – Houston As Houston’s office market continues to evolve, sublease space is taking center stage for tenants seeking agility, affordability, and speed to occupancy. “Subleases give landlords both a challenge and an opportunity,” says Blake Virgilio, Principal at Lee & Associates. “While it introduces more competition, it also lets us reposition space creatively and work directly with subtenants looking for long-term solutions.” Cost…
Through Fresh Eyes: What Summer Interns Are Learning About CRE
June 27, 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Manager, Lee & Associates – Houston Each summer, a new class of interns steps into the world of commercial real estate and for many, it’s their first deep dive into the industry. At Lee & Associates, our research team has welcomed numerous interns over the years, each bringing a fresh perspective that both challenges and energizes our work. This season’s interns joined our research group and quickly…
Inside the Warehouse of the Future: How Houston Is Becoming a Logistics Tech Hub
June 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Manager, Lee & Associates – Houston Houston has long been defined by its energy industry and global shipping routes. But now, a quieter evolution is positioning the city as a rising logistics technology hub and industrial developers are racing to keep up. With e-commerce growth, reshoring trends, and increasingly tech-savvy tenants, Houston’s warehouses are becoming more than just storage, they’re becoming smart logistics centers. New developments across the…
Border Boom Could Bust: How Tariffs Risk ‘Damaging A Real Good Thing’
April 13, 2025 | HOUSTON, TEXAS | Maddy McCarty and Billy Wadsack Lee & Associates’ Enrique Volkmer calls himself “the happiest guy in town” after returning to his hometown of Laredo in 2016 to broker real estate deals for third-party logistics companies and other industrial tenants. In just the first two months of this year, Volkmer racked up 11 new lease signings. Those deals have become exponentially bigger and more plentiful since the United States-Mexico-Canada…
Laredo, Texas: The World’s Largest Port, A Supply Chain Powerhouse
April 29, 2025 | HOUSTON, TEXAS | By Enrique Volkmer, Lee & Associates Laredo, Texas, has emerged as one of the largest ports in the world by volume and crossings, driven by its robust infrastructure and strategic location. According to 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Port of Laredo was responsible for handling an aggregate amount of product valued at about $320 billion, the most in the country by that metric….
CONCRETE, CRANES & CAPITAL: HOUSTON’S INDUSTRIAL SCENE IN 2025
May 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Manager, Lee & Associates – Houston Houston’s industrial market remains a powerhouse in 2025, with a 5.6% vacancy rate that showcases the strength of demand despite economic shifts. While new deliveries continue, there’s a marked shift in tenant behavior. Companies are prioritizing efficiency over sheer square footage, with a strong preference for Class A spaces equipped with the latest features — like higher clear heights, ample trailer parking, and…
Houston’s Growing Role in E-Commerce and Logistics: How the Industrial Market is Booming
April 1, 2025 | Mary Doetterl, Research Manager, Lee & Associates – Houston Over the past decade, the rise of e-commerce has transformed how we shop, work, and move goods—and Houston is emerging as a major player in this global shift. Positioned as a logistics powerhouse, Houston’s industrial real estate market is booming, fueled by the rapid growth of online retail, increased demand for last-mile delivery, and strategic access to key transportation networks. Houston’s location…
A Piece Of The Pie: CRE Ownership Structure Is A Win For Houston Brokers And Clients
February 10, 2025 | HOUSTON, TEXAS | Elizabeth Reyn, Studio B Writer 10 years ago, commercial real estate brokerage Lee & Associates expanded its national presence by opening the doors to its 55th office, in Houston, Texas, with four CRE professionals and an assistant at the helm. Among the CRE professionals was Managing Principal Chris Lewis, who runs Houston’s office division. Lewis said that while Lee & Associates had a strong presence in…
The Growing Need for EV Charging Infrastructure in Industrial Real Estate
December 4, 2024 (Houston) – As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to grow, industrial real estate is facing a new set of demands—one that is reshaping tenant needs and expectations. With EV adoption on the rise, particularly for logistics fleets and delivery companies, the availability of EV charging infrastructure is becoming a critical consideration for businesses seeking industrial spaces. This shift is creating both challenges and opportunities for developers, property owners, and tenants in…