17% of all offices and 9% of all stores where vacant in the beginning of 2015 (PBL). In 2010 this was 12% and 6% respectively. It’s a fundamental problem that can’t just be ascribe to the economic crisis. Many buildings have been empty for over 3 years. Outside of the Randstad it is stores most of the time. Within the big cities offices are often unused.
Rise of online shops
Other forms of work and the rise of online shops have diminished the demand for commercial real-estate. The ageing of the population and the leveling of the growth has contributed to that as well.
Supply however has hardly decreased. Investing in commercial real-estate might seem a good option due to the low interest rate and, but PBL advices to invest in objects with a higher social contribution.
