Tech Talent Surges in Portland
Portland was one of the nation’s biggest movers as it jumped five spots to number 16 in the list of top 50 tech talent markets, a result of the city’s recent tech expansion, according to a recent study by CBRE.
PORTLAND, OR—According to a recent CBRE study on tech talent, Portland is one of the nation’s biggest movers as it jumped five spots to number 16 in the list of top 50 tech talent markets, a result of the city’s recent tech expansion. The high-tech industry has accounted for about 20% of major leasing activity in the US since 2018, the most of any industry.
As competition to attract and retain top tech talent heats up, office buildings are creating a new model for owners to customize buildings in a bid for relevance with this growing talent pool, which now makes up 5% of Portland’s total labor force. Tanner Point, a new office in Portland’s Pearl District, is one of the city’s many buildings going beyond the typical office tower framework.
Recently acquired by CBRE Global Investors, Tanner Point has a uniquely modern aesthetic and implemented a wide array of tech-focused amenities such as the Host app, which enables tenants to order food and drinks from on-site vendors, place work orders and service requests, and register for classes and special events hosted at Tanner Point.
“It’s no secret that the tech industry is Portland’s fastest growing employment sector, which means office owners and developers must adjust and customize buildings so they are relevant to the growing talent pool,” Mark Zikakis, head of US asset management at CBRE Global Investors, tells GlobeSt.com. “Tanner Point incorporates several features that elevate the tenant experience and generate meaningful business results, including tech-equipped communal areas for impromptu meetings outside of the office, our hospitality-inspired Above & Beyond amenity program, and the new Host app that connects tenants to building events, walkable amenities, and exclusive offers at shops and restaurants within the surrounding neighborhood. The building isn’t just a place to work, but a community that represents where the future of office is heading in Portland and other key markets around the US.”
Other office buildings in Portland, including the Wells Fargo Center and One Pacific Square, are incorporating new tech-enabled tools throughout expanded office layouts with open workstations and views of the skyline and Willamette River. In turn, these offices create an attractive workday experience for the influx of new tech talent migrating to town.
Analysts project Portland will ascend into the top 10 within a few years as developers and office owners continue to evolve amenities and offerings for the fastest-growing employment sector.