The April Office Flashpoint reports an office take-up for the year of 25,500 m2 in Lisbon and 11,700 m2 in Porto. JLL asserts itself as a driving force in the market, having been responsible for placing 36% of the negotiated area in Lisbon, corresponding to 9,300 m2, and 21% in Porto, equivalent to 2,400 m2. In terms of transactions, there are 51 operations in Lisbon and another 19 in Porto in the accumulated result for the year. Of this, JLL brokered 16 deals in Lisbon and 5 in Porto, guaranteeing market shares of 31% and 26%, respectively.

Sofia Tavares, Head of Office Leasing at JLL, comments: “We are delighted to contribute to boosting the market, which right now needs a particularly proactive approach from agents. Companies are more cautious due to economic uncertainty, choosing to postpone their decision processes or, at least, taking much longer to decide on the strategy of their facilities. This is a European trend, which is not exclusive to Portugal.

“However, there continues to be an active demand for high-quality spaces, good areas per floor, and that incorporate sustainability concerns. As market specialists, we have, now more than ever, to take these office solutions to companies and show them that, despite the more challenging economic situation, this can also be an opportunity to find new spaces that adapt to the new ways of working”.