Brokers say expanding companies Uptown may have to considerclass B space or look elsewhere. Carolinas Real Data Inc. feels thetight class A market will continue as it has for the past fouryears. The construction of the 46-floor, 950,000-sf Hearst Towerwill do little to put more available class A space on the market.The office tower, still under construction, is already leased upwith the exception of 35,000 sf.

Tenants able to find class A space in this market are payingfrom $25 per sf to $30 per sf. For companies that don't need allthe amenities that go along with prime real estate, there is anabundance of class B space going for $18 per sf to $21 per sf.According to Gary Chesson of Trinity Partners, the inventory ofclass B space is only going to increase. He notes that a number ofrenovated properties are being returned to the market as classB.

For example, on South Tryon, renovations have been completed onthe former Southern National building. Also on South Tryon, theformer Home Federal Building is being renovated and will be comingback on the market as class B due to a lack of amenities.Renovations are also under way for the former BB&T Center onSouth Tryon.