Tech companies accounted for nearly one-fourth of all US office-leasing activity in the second and third quarters, a big uptick from 2020 figures and a 122% increase over Q1.

CBRE's annual Tech030 report notes that more than two thirds of the top 30 North American tech markets registered office-rent growth from the second quarter of 2019. And four markets—Seattle, Charlotte, Vancouver and Austin—posted double-digit percentage rent gains, while six markets posted gains in net absorption since before the pandemic. Those markets are Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis and Phoenix.

"Over the past year, the tech industry has proven to be a resilient industry that grew throughout the pandemic," said Colin Yasukochi, Executive Director of CBRE's Tech Insights Center. "Many tech companies are, like other industries, embracing hybrid work formats to provide their employees flexibility. But the industry also values the collaborative environment of the physical office and its role in bringing employees together to foster innovation."