Bucks County is not Philadelphia. It doesn't move like the city, or even like Montgomery or Chester County. Here is what the most recent public data and local projects show for our part of the region.
Key takeaways
- Bucks County industrial space is tighter than the region as a whole, and very little new space is being built.
- Bucks office vacancy is well below the suburban average.
- Doylestown retail is being rebuilt with new tenants, led by the Barn Plaza redevelopment on Route 611.
Industrial and Flex
In early 2026, Cushman & Wakefield reported 7.2% industrial vacancy in Lower Bucks and 6.2% in Upper Bucks, compared with a Suburban Philadelphia average of 10.6%. Lower Bucks had no buildings under construction. Warehouse asking rents ran about $13.23 per square foot in Lower Bucks and $11.40 in Upper Bucks. There's no separate Central Bucks number, but the Bucks submarkets to the north and south are both tight.
Office
Cushman & Wakefield reports Southern Bucks County office vacancy of 17.9% in the third quarter of 2026, compared with 22.1% across Suburban Philadelphia, with average asking rent of $25.85 per square foot. Colliers puts Central and Lower Bucks together at 18.28% vacancy in the first quarter, with more space filled than emptied.
Retail
Doylestown retail is changing in visible ways. Brixmor's Barn Plaza Phase II is replacing the former Regal Cinema with three new buildings totaling about 46,000 square feet, with tenants including Sephora, Shake Shack, Burtons Grill & Bar and Starbucks. In Doylestown Borough, Worth & Worth is building a 5,700 square foot retail and office building at Franklin and West State Streets. In Doylestown Township, the 1776 Shopping Center on Route 611 is set to become an express car wash.
What this means for owners
If you own industrial or flex space in Bucks, demand is steady and little new competition is coming, so review your rents and lease terms before renewals. Office owners do best with updated space, good parking and easy access. Retail owners near the new Route 611 projects may see more interest from tenants.
What this means for tenants and buyers
Good small industrial and flex space in Bucks doesn't stay on the market long, so start early. Office tenants have more choices and room to negotiate. Buyers should look closely at a property's power, access, condition and zoning, since those decide what it can really be used for.
If you have a property question in Doylestown or anywhere in Bucks County, email me at c.olivieri@kwcommercial.com.
Carolyn Olivieri, KW Commercial
Common Questions
Q: Is Bucks County different from Philadelphia?
A: Yes. The published Bucks numbers show tighter industrial space and lower office vacancy than the wider suburbs.
Q: Is there Doylestown-only market data?
A: Not publicly. The big research firms report on Bucks submarkets, so local projects and individual deals tell the Doylestown story.
Q: Is now a good time to lease or buy?
A: It depends on the property type. Office tenants have room to negotiate, while industrial and retail space in good locations is harder to find.
Sources
- Cushman & Wakefield, Philadelphia Industrial MarketBeat, Q1 2026
- Cushman & Wakefield, Philadelphia Office MarketBeat, Q3 2026
- Colliers, Philadelphia Office Research Report, Q1 2026
- Brixmor, Barn Plaza Phase II
- Patch, Barn Plaza construction underway
- Patch, West State redevelopment in Doylestown
- Patch, Captain Clean Car Wash at 1776 Shopping Center