Uncategorized
23.02.2026
Commercial Tenants Are Active — But They’re Choosing Differently in 2026
Across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie, commercial tenant enquiry remains active in 2026. Inspections are steady, conversations are happening and businesses are moving.
But, they’re choosing differently.
Rather than committing quickly, tenants are taking more time, comparing options carefully and weighing operational efficiency, presentation and flexibility before making a decision.
The result? Well-located, well-presented and correctly priced properties are leasing. Others are sitting – not because demand isn’t there, but because positioning isn’t aligned with tenant expectations.
Demand Is Steady, Expectations Are Higher
Today’s occupiers in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie know exactly what they are looking for:
- Functional layouts that support productivity
- Practical access and parking
- Clean, well-maintained presentation
- Lease flexibility that supports growth
- Pricing that reflects current market evidence
This more considered approach means leasing success in 2026 is less about listing volume and more about strategic positioning.
Where Leasing Is Happening
Recent transactions across the MOVABLE Commercial team illustrate how this selective market is playing out across different precincts.
Steve Dick & Nathan Hunter – Cardiff & Surrounds
Across Cardiff, Lambton and Adamstown, well-configured warehouse space continues to attract consistent enquiry.
Industrial occupiers remain active, but they are assessing clearance, access, yard functionality and lease structure more closely than in previous years. Pricing alignment is critical — assets positioned in line with current evidence are securing inspections and commitments.
Recent leases include:
- 2/11 Nelson Road, Cardiff
- Unit 5/6 Torrens Avenue, Cardiff
- 2/70-72 Orlando Road, Lambton
- 7/10 William Street, Adamstown
- 9/10 William Street, Adamstown
Steve and Nathan work closely with industrial owners to ensure assets are positioned strategically and structured to secure strong outcomes.
Joshua Barnes – Beresfield & Surrounds
Across suburban and mixed-use corridors, tenants are gravitating toward adaptable, practical spaces.
Smaller format retail and commercial suites are leasing where visibility, accessibility and parking align with business requirements. In these precincts, affordability and flexibility are playing a greater role in decision-making.
Recent leases include:
- Unit 7/468 Pacific Highway, Belmont
- 116 Elder Street, Lambton
- Level 2, 494-496 Hunter Street, Newcastle
- Unit 3/82 Glenwood Drive, Thornton
- 187 Brunker Road, Adamstown
- 2/2 Smith Street, Charlestown
- Unit 5/7 Revelation Close, Tighes Hill
Josh supports landlords by aligning presentation, pricing and exposure with the expectations of today’s occupiers.
Jason Morris – Inner City & Coastal Corridor
In tightly held inner-city and high-exposure corridors, building quality and positioning are central to leasing performance.
While premium locations continue to transact, tenants are carefully evaluating amenity, visibility, access, parking and lease flexibility before committing. Across both central Newcastle and broader corridors such as Gateshead and Mount Hutton, alignment between pricing and positioning is determining leasing momentum.
Recent leases include:
- Unit 7/204 Union Street, The Junction
- 47 Hudson Street, Hamilton
- 17 Church Street, Wickham
- 6a/27 Annie Street, Wickham
- 21 Pacific Highway (4mth Lease), Gateshead
- 18 Wilsons Road, Mount Hutton
Jason works proactively with owners to ensure assets remain competitive in an increasingly selective environment.
Paul Tilden – Thornton, Rutherford & Hunter Industrial
Industrial occupiers remain active across the broader Hunter when assets align with operational requirements.
Tenants in these precincts are prioritising functional layouts, yard access, heavy vehicle manoeuvability and proximity to key transport corridors. While enquiry remains consistent, decision-making is increasingly measured, with pricing alignment and long-term suitability playing a critical role in securing commitments.
Recent leases include:
· 8/33 Shipley Drive, Rutherford
· Unit 3/82 Glenwood Drive, Thornton
· Unit 1a & 2/4a Garnett Road, East Maitland
· Unit 1/14-16 East Mall, Rutherford
Paul combines active leasing engagement across the Hunter with live market evidence to help owners position their assets strategically and achieve strong, well-structured outcomes.
If you’re considering leasing, selling or reviewing the performance of an industrial asset across the Thornton, Rutherford or Hunter region, a strategic conversation with Paul is the right place to start.
Nic & Alan – Steel River & Industrial Strategy
Mayfield West continues to deliver steady industrial performance, underpinned by limited supply and consistent warehouse demand.
Across Steel River and surrounding industrial precincts, enquiry remains active – particularly where presentation, pricing accuracy and marketing investment are aligned.
While these tightly held estates continue to attract interest, tenants are weighing configuration, access and long-term operational suitability more heavily than ever. In this environment, results are shaped by asset positioning and lease structure as much as demand itself.
(table here)
Alan & Nic Tonks combine live sales and leasing evidence with on-the-ground negotiation experience to help owners and investors secure strong, well-structured outcomes.
What This Means for Landlords in 2026
The key takeaway is simple:
Tenants are active – but they’re informed. They are comparing options, negotiating thoughtfully and prioritising long-term suitability over short-term convenience. In this environment:
- Asset presentation directly influences enquiry
- Pricing accuracy determines inspection volume
- Leasing strategy impacts days on market
- Professional marketing matters
Properties that tick these boxes are moving. Those that don’t are experiencing extended vacancy – not due to lack of demand, but due to market alignment.
The MOVABLE Approach
At MOVABLE, our commercial team works proactively with landlords to ensure properties are:
- Positioned strategically
- Presented professionally
- Priced in line with live market evidence
- Marketed to active tenant pools
In 2026, successful leasing is about more than exposure – it’s about precision.
If you’re considering leasing, reviewing performance, or repositioning a commercial asset, a strategic conversation with the MOVABLE Commercial team is a good place to start.
Always A Good Move.
Emily
From: Emily Bruce <emilybruce@movable.com.au>
Date: Monday, 23 February 2026 at 12:01 pm
To: Commercial Sales Team <CommercialSalesTeam@movable.com.au>
Subject: Re: Pls Review: Commercial Tenants Are Active — But They’re Choosing Differently in 2026
Hi team,
Can someone please point me in the right direction on how to pull a report on all our leased properties w date and agent as I am having no luck in agentbox with this.
When I pull ‘Leased Listings’ and select commercial it is blank – assuming this needs to be pulled elsewhere? Your help would be greatly appreciated so I can finalise this.
Always A Good Move.
Emily
|
From: Emily Bruce <emilybruce@movable.com.au>
Date: Monday, 16 February 2026 at 5:18 pm
To: Commercial Sales Team <CommercialSalesTeam@movable.com.au>
Subject: Pls Review: Commercial Tenants Are Active — But They’re Choosing Differently in 2026
Hi team,
Following on from the below, would love your contribution to the below which I am working on.
Any of your on-the-ground info will be gold to include. Please review your listings in your section and add in any relevant info I can use.
You will all have DLs that drive back to this article and the mentions of you will link back to your profile page.
Commercial Tenants Are Active — But They’re Choosing Differently in 2026
Across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie, commercial tenant enquiry remains active in 2026. Inspections are steady, conversations are happening and businesses are moving.
But, they’re choosing differently.
Rather than committing quickly, tenants are taking more time, comparing options carefully and weighing operational efficiency, presentation and flexibility before making a decision. The result? Well-located, well-presented and correctly priced properties are leasing. Others are sitting – not because demand isn’t there, but because positioning isn’t aligned with tenant expectations.
Demand Is Steady, Expectations Are Higher
Today’s occupiers in Newcastle & Lake Macquarie are clear about what they want:
- Functional layouts that support productivity
- Practical access and parking
- Clean, well-maintained presentation
- Lease flexibility that supports growth
- Pricing that reflects current market evidence
This more considered approach means leasing success in 2026 is less about listing volume and more about strategic positioning.
Where Leasing Is Happening
Across the MOVABLE Commercial team, recent transactions highlight exactly how this selective market is playing out.
Steve & Nathan – Cardiff & Surrounds
In Cardiff and surrounding industrial precincts, quality warehouse stock continues to attract enquiry when presented correctly.
These properties demonstrate that well-configured industrial space in established hubs is still leasing efficiently – particularly where pricing meets market conditions.
Recent leases include:
- 9/10 William St Adamstown
- 2/11 Nelson Road, Cardiff
- 5/6 Torrens Avenue, Cardiff
- 3/41B MUnibung Road, Cardiff
- 1/29 Pendlebury Road, Cardiff
- 1&2 / 57 Munibung Road, Cardiff
- Level 4, 400 Hunter Street, Newcastle – alongside Jason Morris
- Plus other industrial assets throughout Nelson Road & the Cardiff precinct
Jason Morris – Inner City & Coastal Corridor
In more tightly held and high-profile locations, tenants are prioritising building quality and positioning.
Inner city and exposure-based assets continue to transact, but tenants are carefully assessing amenity, natural light, parking access and lease flexibility before committing.
Recent leases include:
- 737-739 Hunter Street, Newcastle West
- 2/27 Donald Street, Hamilton
- 3/29 Smith Street, Charlestown
- 458 The Esplanade, Warners Bay
- 3/41B Munibung Road, Cardiff
- Unit 1/29 Pendlebury Road, Cardiff
Paul Tilden – Thornton, Rutherford & Hunter Industrial
Industrial occupiers remain active across the broader Hunter when assets align with operational requirements.
These transactions reinforce that functional layouts, yard access and correct market positioning remain critical for leasing success.
Recent leases include:
- 3/82 Glenwood Drive, Thornton
- 8/33 Shipley Drive Rutherford
- 7/6D Weakleys Drive, Thornton
- 2/30 Shipley Drive, Rutherford
- Level 4, 400 Hunter Street, Beresfield
- Unit 2/19 Aruma Place, Cardiff
- Unit 1/11 Templar Place, Bennett’s Green – With Joshua Barnes.
- 29-33 Gipps Street, Carrington
Nic & Alan – Steel River & Industrial Strategy
Strategic positioning within key industrial estates continues to drive enquiry — particularly where presentation and marketing investment are strong.
Steel River and surrounding industrial precincts remain tightly held, but tenants are weighing configuration and long-term suitability more heavily than ever.
Recent leases include:
- Unit D2/7 Poynton Place, Thornton
- Unit C1/7 Poynton Place, Thornton
- 291 Hunter Street, Newcastle
- Do we have some steel river ones to include?
Josh – Beresfield & Surrounds
In mixed-use and suburban commercial centres, tenants are targeting adaptable spaces in strong lifestyle or service corridors.
Smaller format retail and commercial suites are leasing when visibility, parking and practicality align.
Recent leases include:
- 3/1 Cobbans Close, Beresfield
- 4/1 Cobbans Close, Beresfield
- 6/1 Cobbans Close, Beresfield
- 12/26 Balook Drive, Beresfield
- 4/53 Elwell Close, Beresfield
- Unit 5/7 Revelation Close, Tighes Hill
- 107 Cowlishaw Street, Redhead
- 3 & 4/1 Statham Street, Bennett’s Green
- Level 2, 494-496 Hunter Street, Newcastle
What This Means for Landlords in 2026
The key takeaway is simple:
Tenants are active – but they’re informed. They are comparing options, negotiating thoughtfully and prioritising long-term suitability over short-term convenience. In this environment:
- Asset presentation directly influences enquiry
- Pricing accuracy determines inspection volume
- Leasing strategy impacts days on market
- Professional marketing matters
Properties that tick these boxes are moving. Those that don’t are experiencing extended vacancy — not due to lack of demand, but due to market alignment.
The MOVABLE Approach
At MOVABLE, our commercial team works proactively with landlords to ensure properties are:
- Positioned strategically
• Presented professionally
• Priced in line with live market evidence
• Marketed to active tenant pools
In 2026, successful leasing is about more than exposure — it’s about precision.
If you’re considering leasing, reviewing performance, or repositioning a commercial asset, a strategic conversation with the MOVABLE Commercial team is a good place to start.
Always A Good Move.
Always A Good Move.
Emily
|
From: Emily Bruce <emilybruce@movable.com.au>
Date: Wednesday, 28 January 2026 at 2:42 pm
To: Commercial Sales Team <CommercialSalesTeam@movable.com.au>
Subject: Re: Informative DLs – Commercial Agents
Hi team,
I haven’t received any information yet to create the area-based DLs. I do have a meeting with Realcommercial on the 11th to discuss the lack of accessible data, so I’ll update you after that.
In the meantime, if you’re able to share any stats, leasing activity, enquiry trends or insights from your key precincts, I can still put something together for you.
Alternatively, I’ll progress with the next DL which will be content-led rather than data-led. The topic will be:
Commercial Tenants Are Active – But They’re Choosing Differently in 2026
The direction for this piece is:
- Across Newcastle & Lake Macquarie, tenant enquiry remains active, but tenants are taking more time and being more selective before committing.
- Well-located, well-presented and correctly priced properties are leasing, while others are sitting due to positioning rather than lack of demand.
- Tenants are prioritising functionality, flexibility and quality, making asset presentation and leasing strategy more important than ever.
If you have any on-the-ground observations, recent deals, or tenant feedback that supports this, please send it through – it will make the piece stronger and more relevant.
Always A Good Move.
Emily
|
From: Emily Bruce <emilybruce@movable.com.au>
Date: Friday, 16 January 2026 at 9:09 am
To: Commercial Sales Team <CommercialSalesTeam@movable.com.au>
Subject: Informative DLs – Commercial Agents
Hi team,
I’m currently working on a series of quarterly informative DLs for each of our commercial agents, showcasing 2025 (past 12 months) market data for their key precincts. The aim is to further position MOVABLE as commercial property growth experts and market leaders across the Hunter.
Some of this information isn’t easily accessible, and while I’ve reached out to Realcommercial, Jason mentioned you may already have insight or data specific to your area we could use?
If you do have anything available, it would be great to incorporate it. We’re flexible on what’s possible, but examples of the types of stats we’re aiming to include (broken down by office, retail and industrial where relevant) are:
- 2025 sales volume and median sale price
- Median rent
- Average days to lease
- Highest sale achieved
Let me know what you might have, and we can get something created for you.
Always A Good Move,
Emily
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