Halifax office vacancy is trending downward after difficult times, say area brokers.

The region’s office vacancy declined 40 basis points to 13.4% in the second quarter, said Cushman & Wakefield in its quarterly report. In the central business district, vacancy fell 90 basis points to 6.8% from 7.7%. Submarket vacancy rose by a modest 20 bps to 8.1%.

Most second-quarter absorption occurred in class B downtown properties due to higher occupancy class A properties.

The Halifax market has experienced generally positive movement this year, said Avison Young in a report. Although the downtown vacancy rate experienced a rise, it is “bouncing back to normal.”

Suburban markets are beginning to see steadily declining vacancy levels. Although there is a lack of newer development in the suburbs, demand there has increased.