Reuben Torenberg is a Senior Vice President at CBRE, the world's largest commercial real estate services firm. Reuben specializes in helping startups in San Francisco navigate the complex and rapidly changing office leasing landscape. Since joining CBRE in 2014, he's represented some of the biggest names in tech - including Airbnb, Coinbase, Cruise, and Dropbox - and is widely known as the go-to broker for early-stage startups and growth-stage companies alike. Beyond real estate, Reuben is also a community builder, having founded SF Hoops and SF Links, two of the city's most exclusive and founder-heavy social sports leagues.
In this episode, we explore the dramatic transformation of San Francisco's commercial real estate market and the evolving dynamics between landlords, tenants, and the broader tech community. The conversation delves into current market trends in both office and retail spaces, examines how AI companies are reshaping demand patterns, and discusses the critical importance of community building in the tech industry through initiatives like SF Hoops. We also dive deep into pricing strategies, emerging market opportunities, and provide a comprehensive outlook for businesses seeking space in San Francisco.
Topics covered:
- Why SF's commercial real estate recovery is finally here after 5 years of decline
- How AI companies are driving massive demand and changing the market dynamics
- Where to find the best deals: neighborhood analysis and sweet spot sizing (10-20K sq ft)
- Why rents are rising and landlords are getting more confident by the day
- Buildings selling at 80% discounts and what it means for new opportunities
- The return-to-office mandate trend and its impact on space demand
- Lower SoMa as the last frontier for deeply discounted office space
- Retail space conversion opportunities in Union Square
- Why you should secure space now vs. waiting for better deals
- Pricing breakdown: what 10, 25, and 50-person companies should budget
- How to navigate the search process and when to use a broker
- & Much more
Where to Find Reuben Torenberg:
Where to Find David Phillips:
In This Episode, We Cover
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00:00) Current Trends in San Francisco Commercial Real Estate
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02:53) Navigating the Market: Opportunities and Challenges
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05:54) The Shift in Office Space Demand
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08:43) Retail Space and Its Transformation
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11:55) Landlord Strategies and Market Dynamics
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14:52) The Rise of SF Hoops: Networking Through Sports
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17:59) Future Outlook: What to Expect in the Coming Months
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