Aberdeen’s office market has recorded its strongest first half in more than a decade, driven by a surge in demand from the energy sector.
New figures from Savills show 289,695 sq ft of office space was taken up during the first six months of 2026 – the highest H1 total since 2015 and 78% ahead of the same period last year.
Activity accelerated sharply in the second quarter, when 221,213 sq ft was taken up across 14 transactions – 118% higher than Q2 2025 and the highest Q2 figure on record.
Demand for higher-quality space was particularly strong, with Grade A take-up reaching 181,517 sq ft, accounting for 63% of the total.
There were seven Grade A transactions during the period, including three deals above 20,000 sq ft, with Grade A activity 97% higher than a year earlier.
The largest deal saw Petrofac Facilities Management, now CB&I, take space at Caledonia House at Prime Four Business Park – the biggest office transaction in Aberdeen since 2017.
Dan Smith, director at Savills, said: “Take-up has been bolstered by a number of larger deals in the first half of the year, signalling improving occupier activity in the city.”
Overall office availability stood at 1.84 million sq ft at the end of June, up 6% on the previous quarter, taking the vacancy rate to 17.8%.
Grade A availability increased to around 218,000 sq ft as space returned to the market, although Savills said supply of the best-in-class accommodation remained constrained.
Prime rents remained unchanged at £32.50 per sq ft, but Savills expects the shortage of top-quality space and lack of new development to drive rental growth, forecasting rents of £33.50 by the end of this year and £36 by 2030.