Five Spaces. Five Possibilities. One City That’s Ready.
Tacoma’s commercial real estate market is active — 410 properties currently listed for lease across the city, with average retail rents sitting at $23/SF and average commercial space sizes around 13,157 SF. But raw numbers don’t tell the story of what a specific space could become. That’s what this column does: we find real listings, credit the professionals marketing them, and then think out loud about what would thrive there.
Every listing referenced below is active as of late May 2026. We’re amplifying the agents and brokerages who do the work of matching tenants to spaces — not competing with them.
1. The Former Walgreens — 2024 6th Avenue, Tacoma
The Space: Approximately 14,820 SF of freestanding retail at the corner of 6th Avenue and Alder Street. Former pharmacy with high ceilings, drive-through infrastructure, and massive parking lot. Zoned commercial, high-visibility corridor with 18,000+ daily vehicle count.
Listed by Stan Bowman, Pacific Commercial Brokers — view full listing on LoopNet.
What Could Go Here:
- Indoor climbing gym + fitness concept. The ceiling height and open floor plan are perfect for bouldering walls. Tacoma lacks a dedicated climbing facility despite strong outdoor recreation culture. A concept like Vertical World or a locally-owned bouldering gym could draw from 6th Ave’s foot traffic and the adjacent residential density.
- Craft brewery with food hall. The parking lot supports high-volume weekend traffic. Subdivide the interior into a central taproom flanked by 3-4 food vendor stalls. Think 7 Seas’ Gig Harbor model but with multi-vendor food options.
- Specialty grocery + community kitchen. With Hilltop’s food desert designation less than a mile away, a mid-format grocer (think PCC or Metropolitan Market scale) with cooking class space could serve a genuine community need while commanding premium rents.
2. Downtown Mixed-Use Ground Floor — 1120 Pacific Avenue
The Space: 4,200 SF ground-floor retail in a recently renovated mixed-use building. Floor-to-ceiling glass storefront, exposed brick interior, modern HVAC. Located on Pacific Avenue between 11th and 13th — the heart of downtown’s pedestrian corridor, steps from UW Tacoma campus.
Listed by CBRE Tacoma Office — view downtown Tacoma listings on LoopNet.
What Could Go Here:
- Specialty coffee roaster with retail bar. UW Tacoma’s 5,000+ student population creates built-in weekday demand. A roaster-retailer hybrid (think Olympia Coffee Roasting Company or Bluebeard Coffee) would benefit from the glass frontage for brand visibility and the foot traffic from Museum of Glass visitors.
- Coworking space targeting creative professionals. Tacoma’s creative economy is growing, but downtown lacks a design-forward coworking option between WeWork-scale and coffee-shop-with-WiFi. The exposed brick aesthetic and downtown location would attract freelance designers, architects, and tech workers priced out of Seattle.
- Art supply store + maker space. With Tacoma’s glass arts scene, Museum of Glass across the bridge, and multiple gallery districts, a high-end art supply retailer with workshop space could become a community anchor.
3. South Tacoma Industrial Flex — 5600 Block South Tacoma Way
The Space: 8,500 SF flex industrial with 16-foot clear height, two loading docks, and a small office buildout. South Tacoma Way corridor near the interchange — strong logistics access to I-5 and Port of Tacoma facilities. Asking approximately $14/SF NNN.
Listed by Kidder Mathews, Tacoma Office — view Tacoma industrial listings on Crexi.
What Could Go Here:
- Craft distillery with tasting room. Washington State’s distillery scene is expanding beyond Seattle. The flex format allows production in the warehouse bay with a small tasting room in the office buildout. Heritage Distilling Company proved this model in Gig Harbor — Tacoma’s larger population base could support another.
- E-commerce fulfillment + showroom. The loading docks and I-5 access make this ideal for a DTC brand that wants Pacific Northwest distribution with a customer-facing showroom. Think outdoor gear, specialty furniture, or artisan food products.
- Commercial kitchen incubator. Tacoma’s food truck and cottage food scene needs commissary kitchen space. An 8,500 SF facility could house 6-8 prep stations, shared cold storage, and a small retail counter for direct sales.
4. Old City Hall Retail — 625 Commerce Street
The Space: Multiple retail suites ranging from 761 SF to 1,447 SF inside the historic Old City Hall building. Amenities include parking, bike storage with shower, gym with yoga space, rooftop glass-room event space, and lounge areas. Premium finishes in a landmark building. Available late 2026.
Listed by Old City Hall Tacoma leasing office — view full listing details.
What Could Go Here:
- Boutique fitness studio (Pilates, barre, or yoga). The building already has gym infrastructure and shower facilities. A 1,200 SF suite is perfect for a reformer Pilates studio serving the downtown professional population. The rooftop event space creates partnership opportunities for wellness retreats.
- Independent bookstore + wine bar. Tacoma lost its last independent downtown bookstore years ago. The smaller suites (761 SF) could house a curated bookshop with evening wine service — the building’s historic character adds atmosphere you can’t manufacture.
- Specialty retail — leather goods, ceramics, or jewelry. Old City Hall’s foot traffic from residential tenants and the building’s prestige positioning make it ideal for a single-artisan retail concept. A ceramicist with studio-and-shop or a leather craftsperson with workshop visibility would fit the building’s character.
5. North End Retail Strip — 2800 Block North Proctor Street
The Space: 2,100 SF inline retail on the Proctor District’s main commercial strip. Existing tenant buildout includes retail sales floor, back-of-house storage, and small office. High walkability score, surrounded by established independent retailers and restaurants. Strong neighborhood identity.
Listed by Brackett Commercial Real Estate — view North End Tacoma listings on LoopNet.
What Could Go Here:
- Specialty cheese and charcuterie shop. The Proctor District has bakeries, coffee shops, and restaurants — but no dedicated cheese counter. A European-style fromagerie with small-plate service would fill a genuine gap and complement existing food businesses rather than competing.
- Children’s bookstore + activity space. The North End’s family demographic is strong, and the walkable nature of Proctor means parents and kids browse on foot. A children’s bookstore with story time, craft activities, and birthday party bookings would become a neighborhood institution.
- Plant shop + garden design studio. Pacific Northwest plant culture is strong, and Proctor’s demographic skews toward homeowners with gardens. A curated houseplant and garden design shop — especially one offering consultation services — would draw from the neighborhood’s high-income residential streets.
What This Tells Us About Tacoma’s Commercial Market
The diversity of these five listings — freestanding big-box, downtown ground-floor, industrial flex, historic boutique, and neighborhood retail strip — reflects a market with genuine variety. Tacoma isn’t a one-size-fits-all commercial environment. Average retail asking rents of $23/SF remain significantly below Seattle’s $35-45/SF averages, creating opportunity for independent operators who’ve been priced out of King County.
The key insight: Tacoma’s commercial vacancies aren’t a sign of weakness. They’re inventory waiting for operators who understand the neighborhood-by-neighborhood character that defines this city. The agents and brokerages marketing these properties know their submarkets — reach out to them directly for current availability, pricing, and lease terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average commercial lease rate in Tacoma, WA?
As of mid-2026, average retail lease rates in Tacoma sit around $23 per square foot, while overall commercial space (including office and industrial) averages approximately $48/SF. Rates vary significantly by neighborhood and property type — downtown premium space commands higher rates than South Tacoma industrial flex.
How does Tacoma’s commercial real estate market compare to Seattle?
Tacoma’s commercial rents run 35-50% below comparable Seattle spaces, making it attractive for independent operators and growing businesses. The city offers 410+ active commercial listings across all property types, with strong transit access via Tacoma Link light rail and I-5 corridor proximity.
What commercial neighborhoods are most active in Tacoma right now?
Downtown Tacoma leads with 92 active commercial listings, followed by the 6th Avenue corridor, South Tacoma Way industrial district, the Proctor District in North End, and the emerging Hilltop neighborhood benefiting from the Link light rail extension.
Are there commercial spaces available in Tacoma’s opportunity zones?
Yes. Tacoma has six designated Opportunity Zone census tracts including Hilltop/MLK, Lincoln District, Old City Hall/CBD, Tacoma Mall/Nalley Valley, UW Tacoma/Brewery District, and the Portland Avenue corridor. Commercial spaces in these zones may offer additional tax incentives for qualified investors under the program extended through 2028 by the OBBA.
How do I find a commercial real estate agent in Tacoma?
Major brokerages active in the Tacoma market include CBRE, Kidder Mathews, Pacific Commercial Brokers, and Brackett Commercial Real Estate. Platforms like LoopNet and Crexi list properties with direct agent contact information. For neighborhood-specific expertise, local boutique brokerages often have deeper relationships with property owners and emerging inventory.