The office property market is back on the radar for Asia Pacific (Apac) real estate investors, according to research by CBRE. In its 2026 Asia Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook report, the firm highlights that respondents to its latest Apac investor intentions survey chose offices as their most preferred sector. This is the first time the sector has topped preferences in six years.

CBRE pins the rebound in interest to an improvement in leasing activity across Apac CBDs. Last year, office investment activity was concentrated in markets with strong rental prospects, including Tokyo, which recorded a 13% y-o-y surge in Grade A office rents, as well as Sydney and Seoul, which both saw high single-digit office rental growth.

Going into 2026, Grade A office rents in Apac remain on an upward trajectory, with Tokyo, Tier 1 markets in India, and Australian cities expected to lead growth.

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The higher rents are underpinned by stronger leasing demand, backed by tech companies expanding as they benefit from digitisation and AI-driven business, as well as demand from wealth management and professional services. At the same time, most developed markets will remain supply-constrained, including key markets such as Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore.

The growing rents, coupled with positive market fundamentals, are expected to bolster investor appetite for offices in 2026, according to CBRE. This comes amid a slowing interest rate-cutting cycle across Apac. With limited yield compressions forecasted for most of the region, investors are focusing on income growth potential, underscoring the appeal of office markets with strong rental growth.

Overall, CBRE is forecasting Apac commercial real estate investment volume to grow between 5% and 10% in 2026.