Fort Lauderdale’s retail market in Q3 2025 remains tight and resilient, supported by strong tenant demand and minimal space availability. Average asking rents hold near $36 per SF, among the highest in Florida, though rent growth has slowed to roughly 1% annually after sharp gains in previous years. Leasing activity reached about 1.8 million SF over the past 12 months, moderating from 2022 peaks mainly due to limited supply rather than reduced demand. Fitness, grocery, and entertainment users, including Crunch Fitness, Publix, and Paragon Theaters, were among the most active tenants securing prime space. With vacancies below 4% and few new deliveries, landlords maintain firm pricing power and steady rent performance across Fort Lauderdale’s top retail corridors.

 

Key Findings

• Retail investment is active, led by grocery-anchored and neighborhood centers. Sales volume reached roughly $292 million as buyers targeted well-located, income-producing assets.
• Asking rents average around $36 per SF, holding firm as limited space and strong demand in areas like Downtown and Las Olas kept pricing power with landlords.
• With only about 280,000 SF underway, new development remains minimal, helping vacancy stay low at 3.9% and sustaining tight conditions across established retail corridors.

 

Fort Lauderdale Retail Supply & Demand Dynamics

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

Fort Lauderdale Demographics

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

• Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
• Current Population: 2,051,372
• Households: 784,464
• Median Household Income: $79,795

 

Fort Lauderdale’s economy in Q3 2025 remains resilient despite a moderation in growth. The metro’s strong base in finance, professional services, and information sectors supports a median household income above Miami’s, with unemployment below 4% and incomes up more than 25% since 2020. While job growth has slowed, employment remains 5% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Rising housing costs have been a key challenge, with home prices up over 70% and rents nearly 30% since 2020, though new supply is helping stabilize the market. Affordability concerns persist as future job gains are expected in lower-wage sectors, but Fort Lauderdale’s skilled workforce, business-friendly climate, and prime location between Miami and Palm Beach continue to bolster its long-term economic stability.

 

Population, Labor, & Income Growth

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

 

Fort Lauderdale Retail Construction

Fort Lauderdale’s retail construction pipeline remains modest, with about 281,000 SF underway and just 36,000 SF delivered in the past year. Construction activity has slowed sharply since 2018 due to high land and financing costs, keeping new supply well below the 10-year average. Most projects are concentrated in Pompano Beach, Southwest Broward, and Fort Lauderdale, including major developments like the 777 Isle of Capri Blvd. retail center and a new Publix site. With limited ground-up construction and most additions occurring as mixed-use or renovation projects, constrained supply is expected to sustain tight market conditions and support steady rent growth across the region.

 

SF Construction Starts

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

SF Under Construction

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

 Fort Lauderdale Retail Sales

Fort Lauderdale’s retail investment market remains active, recording about $903 million in sales over the past year, slightly below the five-year average. Activity is driven by grocery-anchored and neighborhood centers, including EDENS’ $51 million purchase of a Weston center and Longpoint Realty Partners’ $34 million acquisition of Miramar Parkway Plaza. Publix continues to buy and occupy its own centers, while mixed-use and redevelopment sites like The Quay attract investor interest. Although pricing growth has slowed amid higher interest rates and expanding cap rates near the 6% range, investor demand remains strong for well-located, income-producing retail assets across Broward County.

 

Fort Lauderdale Retail Sales Volume

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

By the Numbers

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

• Sales Volume: $292M
• Price Per SF: $337
• Cap Rate: 6.0%
• Vacancy Rate: 3.9%
• Rent Growth: 1.1%
• Asking Rent Per SF: $36.02
• Under Construction: 281K SF
• Delivered: 41.8K SF
• Absorbed: 18.5K SF