April 13, 2026

In this issue…Virco posts a modest profit and returns cash to shareholders despite a choppy post‑pandemic market; the U.S. office sector logs its strongest leasing quarter in years with a surge in smaller deals; major investors and tenants signal renewed confidence in key markets from Philly to Manhattan even as AI and economic uncertainty reshape demand; developers buy and reposition distressed downtown towers while some offices trade at steep discounts. Workplace coverage looks at modular pod solutions, the economics (and modeling pitfalls) of flexspace, rising fit‑out and construction costs tied to labor, energy and tariffs, and how agentic AI platforms may streamline work. Features and trends explore the roots of modern office layouts and what 2026 leadership will require as AI becomes central. Design stories examine AI’s impact on interior design and how law firms are rethinking spaces to make in‑office time count. Products spotlight new PVC‑free resilient flooring, expanded private‑office casegoods, performance velvet, sustainable acoustic panels, and an adaptive ergonomic chair plus new upholstery collections.