MODERATE START TO THE YEAR IN DORTMUND
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Following two above-average opening quarters at the start of the past two years, the Dortmund office market recorded a moderate take-up of 21,000 sqm in the first three months of 2026. However, this result needs to be put into perspective, as the ten-year average of just under 24,000 sqm is only marginally higher, and quarterly results around 20,000 sqm are not uncommon in a long-term comparison.
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Leasing activity was encouraging in both the small size segment up to 1,000 sqm, which accounted for around 30% of total take-up, and the mid-sized segment between 5,000 and 10,000 sqm. Overall, the latter represented approximately 58% of total volume, contributing a significantly above-average share compared with the ten-year average of 31%. In terms of submarket distribution, the city center once again led the market, recording approximately 8,300 sqm of take-up. This was largely driven by the largest letting concluded so far this year, with Jobcenter Dortmund leasing more than 6,000 sqm of office space in a prime, central city location. Due to the budget freeze imposed at the beginning of the year, which remained in effect until mid-March, the lease could only be successfully signed toward the end of the first quarter.
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The prime rent currently shows a stable sideways movement at a high level of €23.00/sqm, unchanged compared with year-end 2025. Likewise, the average rent, which is generally more volatile, remained unchanged at €14.60/sqm as of the end of March 2026.