U.S. Northwest

The Northwest is rediscovering its rhythm, and technology is keeping the beat. After years of uncertainty, the AI boom has reignited office demand in the Bay Area and Seattle. As tech grows, so does everything around it: professional services, finance, education, retail, and healthcare are all gaining momentum as new talent and capital flow into the region. While the cost and complexity of new developments remain high, the opportunity lies in reimagining how to create non-traditional office space that can continue to drive innovation. For many tech firms, this means moving beyond downtown towers to surrounding neighborhoods where adaptive, flexible, design-led environments spark new ideas. Developers who blend adaptive reuse with design excellence are finding new value in a region defined by reinvention and creativity.

What’s Next

The tech rebound redraws the office landscape.

AI and next-gen tech firms seek out high-quality, flexible space in emerging urban districts in addition to traditional urban cores. This dispersion creates opportunities for adaptive reuse and boutique-scale development that aligns with growth, agility, and brand identity.

Sports and culture emerge as urban catalysts.

From new collegiate facilities to revitalized professional venues, sports and culture inject energy back into urban centers. These projects spark surrounding development, positioning experience-driven design as both an economic and social multiplier for the region’s next growth cycle.

Universities and healthcare systems fuel long-term growth.

Higher education and healthcare boost regional development. University expansion, student housing incentives, and academic-healthcare partnerships generate steady demand for mixed-use, research, and residential projects and create reliable anchors for private investment.

Notable Projects

A man standing in front of a large building. — **Burlingame Point**, Burlingame, California

A tall building with many windows. — **200 Park**, San Jose, California

A building with a tower in the background. — **222 Fifth**, Seattle, Washington

A large stadium with a parking lot. — **NVIDIA**, Santa Clara, California

Insights from the Gensler Research Institute

Northwest Residents Value Proximity and Livability

Across the major Northwest cities of Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle, people express strong satisfaction with neighborhood amenities — reflecting a regional culture that prizes convenience and community activity.

How satisfied are you with the following aspects of your city?