Office leasing in Manhattan reached its strongest first-half level since 2002 during Mamdani’s tenure, but the evidence cited measures Manhattan rather than all of New York City and does not establish that his policies caused the increase.
Mostly True
Under Zohran Mamdani, demand for NYC office space is now at its highest level since 2002.
Mamdani Acknowledges ‘Troubling’ Job Losses in 100 Days’ Interview - The New York Times
Source: nytimes.com
At a glance
Verified August 27, 2026Key Evidence
Crain’s and Bisnow reported that Manhattan’s first-half office market reached its highest demand since the first half of 2002.
Colliers data cited by the Manhattan Institute described first-half 2026 leasing volume as the strongest first half since 2002.
Earlier April reporting also found stronger Manhattan demand, higher rents and lower vacancies, but said those trends had begun before Mamdani’s term.
The reporting
What the Evidence Shows
Commercial real estate reports cited in July 2026 found that Manhattan office leasing in the first half of 2026 was the best for a first half since 2002. Crain’s New York Business and Bisnow described the comparison as applying to Manhattan, while Colliers data summarized by the Manhattan Institute’s Eric Kober reported a sharp increase in first-half leasing volume compared with the same period in 2025.thebiggerapple.manhattan.institutethebiggerapple.manhattan.instituteGood Economic News Buoys Mamdani
crainsnewyork.comcrainsnewyork.comManhattan office market achieves highest demand since 2002+1 more
Primary trail
Verified Sources10
Open source