The Friday Intel | 07.10.26: The Office Market Nobody Expected

Send us Fan MailThe country keeps saying the office is dead — but Westchester County just posted its strongest leasing quarter in years. Office leasing jumped 30.1% year over year in Q1 2026, hitting roughly 450,000 square feet, about 14% above the 10-year first-quarter average, according to Newmark. This week on The Friday Intel, we go deeper on the counter-narrative — and the surprise buried inside it. The surge wasn't new companies moving in. It was companies already here, in Tarrytown and White Plains, renewing and staying put. That's retention dressed as growth, and it's a more honest read than the headline. We break down what the numbers actually say and what it means for your commute, your downtown, and the local economy.In This Episode:0:00 — Cold Open: the office isn't dead here0:30 — Intro and Context1:30 — The Data: 450,000 sq ft, +30.1%, Class A rents at $30.813:30 — The Surprise: it's renewals, not new tenants5:00 — What This Means for You6:00 — CloseSources: Newmark, "Newmark Reports a Surge in Leasing Velocity Across Westchester County" and Westchester County Office Market Report Q1 2026; Colliers Westchester County Office Market Report Q1 2026 (cross-check).Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or share with a neighbor.Support the showI Live Here Westchester is a production of I Live Here Media.We spotlight the voices, visionaries, and stories that make Westchester County more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.Have a guest suggestion or want to partner with us?Email: [email protected]: www.iliveheremedia.comFollow us on Instagram: @iliveheremediaSubscribe, rate, and share to support local storytelling.