Guelph is set to get what CBRE says is its first new office development since the pandemic, with two buildings planned at 35 Bett Crt. in the city’s Hanlon Creek Business Park.

The project will add approximately 90,000 square feet across two, two-storey buildings. The first, offering about 45,230 square feet, is scheduled for occupancy in spring 2027. Timing for the second building has not been set.

CBRE Vice-President Dean Mariani told GuelphToday the project arrives as the city faces an unusually tight office market, with vacancy at about 4.1%. Guelph has roughly 2.3 million square feet of office inventory, and Mariani said a number of tenants have been seeking blocks larger than 5,000 square feet over the past 18 months.

Accounting firm Omni has already leased 13,000 square feet in the first building and plans to relocate there once construction is complete.

The remaining space is being marketed in shell condition, with flexible unit sizes intended to attract professional, medical, institutional, research and technology users.

The site is near Laird Road and Highway 6, providing access to Highway 401. Current leasing materials also emphasize parking, a feature Mariani said gives Hanlon Creek an advantage over downtown Guelph.