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Buenos Aires' Avenida Cabildo sees record storefront vacancies amid price mismatch
🇦🇷 Argentina /Economy & Trade

Buenos Aires' Avenida Cabildo sees record storefront vacancies amid price mismatch

From La Nación · (2d ago) Spanish Critical tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Avenida Cabildo in Buenos Aires, once a prime commercial street, now faces a significant vacancy crisis, with empty storefronts rising dramatically.
  • The vacancy rate on the avenue has surged from 1.6% in 2025 to 10% in April 2026, the highest level recorded, surpassing even the pandemic's peak.
  • Experts attribute the surge to a mismatch between rising rental prices and the current economic reality, leading businesses to seek more affordable locations.

Avenida Cabildo, a bustling commercial artery in Buenos Aires, once a magnet for leading brands, is now grappling with an unprecedented crisis of vacant storefronts. In a stark reversal of fortune, the avenue has witnessed a dramatic increase in empty commercial spaces, transforming its vibrant retail landscape. According to a recent survey by real estate firm LJ Ramos, the vacancy rate on Cabildo has skyrocketed from a mere 1.6% in 2025 to a staggering 10% as of April 2026. This figure represents the highest level recorded since data collection began, even surpassing the vacancy rates experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when it stood at 7%.

Se observa un incremento significativo en la vacancia, acompañado por una suba en los precios pedidos que no se encuentra alineada con la realidad actual

— Marcos BallarioAnalyst at LJ Ramos, commenting on the significant increase in vacant commercial spaces on Avenida Cabildo and rising rental prices.

The dramatic deterioration in occupancy is particularly concerning given Cabildo's historical dynamism. The avenue, characterized by high pedestrian and vehicular traffic, especially on weekends, and excellent connectivity to public transport, has long been a prime retail destination. Its proximity to key areas like the Barrio Chino further contributed to its appeal. However, this trend has sharply reversed, indicating a significant shift in the commercial real estate market for this historically robust corridor. All retail sectors, from fashion and textiles to home goods and food, have reportedly suffered declines, signaling a widespread economic downturn affecting businesses along the avenue.

Todos cayeron

— Marcos BallarioAnalyst at LJ Ramos, stating that all retail categories have experienced a decline in occupancy on Avenida Cabildo.

Industry analysts point to a significant disconnect between the asking rental prices and the current economic capacity of the market as the primary driver of this crisis. Marcos Ballario, a research analyst at LJ Ramos, explains that the average rental price per square meter on Cabildo has risen by approximately 25% since 2025, reaching around US$40. This increase, occurring amidst a backdrop of declining consumer spending and retail sales, has made it unsustainable for many businesses. "The tenant does not validate these prices and relocates to cheaper corridors. The numbers just don't add up," Ballario stated, highlighting the economic pressures forcing businesses to abandon prime locations in search of more affordable alternatives.

El problema de la vacancia en este corredor son los valores que se están pidiendo. No están alineados con lo que puede pagar hoy el mercado

— Marcos BallarioAnalyst at LJ Ramos, identifying the mismatch between rental prices and market capacity as the main cause of high vacancy rates.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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