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ccording to the latest Urban Land Institute and Price Waterhouse Coopers study, Dallas‑Fort Worth remains the nation’s preeminent real‑estate hub. The 2026 Emerging Trends report, drawing on responses from 1,700 industry leaders, ranks the Metroplex as the top market to monitor for a second consecutive year—surpassing cities like Jersey City, Miami, Brooklyn and Houston.
Despite a “fog” of economic uncertainty, 55 % of respondents project strong profitability in 2026, a 10 % drop from the previous year. The survey highlights interest rates, job and income growth, and inflation as the chief financial concerns for the sector.
The analysis also asks experts to evaluate U.S. markets for investment and development in 2026, again placing Dallas‑Fort Worth at the summit. Analysts cite the city’s accessibility, affordable living costs, and business‑friendly climate as key drivers.
Corporate expansion has been robust, with over 100 headquarters relocating to the area between 2018 and 2024. Yet office vacancy remains high at 27.6 %, though premium spaces are less affected. A construction pipeline of more than 2.7 million square feet—largely in Uptown—signals continued growth.
Dallas has spearheaded Texas’s 111 % rise in investment banking and securities jobs over two decades, positioning it as the country’s second‑largest financial center. The region also leads in office‑to‑residential and hotel conversions, with 20 projects underway, reinforcing its reputation as a model for adaptive urban development.
