9 Commercial Properties to Buy in Graz

Buying commercial real estate in Graz means investing in a dynamic business location with stable demand. The Styrian state capital, as a center for industry, technology and the creative economy, offers a wide range of possibilities, from centrally located office and retail spaces to spacious halls and logistics areas on the city outskirts. Whether as a location for your own company or as a capital investment: commercial real estate in Graz combines attractive location, high quality of life and long-term value stability.

• Strong economic location: Graz is Austria’s second-largest city and convinces with a growing economy, sector diversity and high quality of life.
• Wide offering: From modern offices and medical/practice spaces to retail and gastronomy premises and to storage and production halls, buyers find a large selection.
• City center vs. outskirts: Prime (1A) locations in the center offer prestige and high visibility, while industrial and commercial areas on the outskirts provide more space, parking and lower prices.
• Price differences: In top locations, properties achieve peak prices of over 5.000 €/m², while larger areas in the surrounding region are available at significantly lower rates.
• Features as a value factor: Fiber-optic internet, air conditioning, accessibility, garden, parking spaces or flexible layouts increase usability and the attractiveness of a property.
• Investment opportunities: Thanks to low vacancy rates and continuous demand, commercial real estate in Graz is a future-proof investment for both owner-occupiers and investors.

Graz is, after Vienna, the second-largest city in Austria and a dynamic economic location with a high quality of life. Thanks to a diversity of sectors—from industry through technology to the creative industries—the demand for commercial space is steadily increasing. Anyone who buys commercial property here is investing in a future-secure location with strong infrastructure, qualified labor and a growing economy.

A commercial property includes all buildings for commercial use, for example office and practice spaces, retail and gastronomy premises, storage and production halls as well as mixed-use buildings.

They are not used as private homes or apartments, but as work and business space. In Graz the offer ranges from small city offices in the inner city to large operating sites on the outskirts. The city is attractive to companies due to its central location in Styria and its innovative environment: Graz is considered a future hub where both start-ups and established firms settle.

The offering is also large outside of Graz. In the surrounding area and across the state of Styria there are numerous commercial locations, from municipalities around Graz to districts such as Leibnitz, Leoben, Liezen, Murau, Murtal, Voitsberg, Weiz or Southeast Styria. This shows: commercial real estate can be bought not only in the city center, but also in many other regions.

However, supply and purchase prices vary significantly depending on the location. In more remote municipalities, plots are usually cheaper and offer more space or specific location advantages. Anyone looking to acquire commercial real estate should therefore choose the location carefully and examine the regional environment closely.

Searching for the right property is now mainly done online. Platforms like Lystio offer a clear selection of current listings and make it easier to find commercial real estate in Graz and the surrounding area. Whether a new build in a high-tech park or an old-style office in the center: online you can filter, compare and contact providers directly. The market in Graz is characterized by strong demand, but with the right strategy and some patience, there is a suitable property for almost every business model.

Commercial properties differ by type of use, but some features are generally decisive. Key criteria are the usable internal area and the plot size. Offices and retail spaces benefit from efficient room layouts, for example open-plan offices with flexible layouts, meeting rooms, staff rooms and kitchenette areas.

Retail spaces value bright rooms, large shop windows and barrier-free access. For halls and warehouses, ceiling height, large doors, maneuvering areas for trucks and load-bearing floors are decisive. Almost always important: parking spaces for employees and customers, since inner-city space is scarce and expensive.

A newly built commercial property usually convinces with modern equipment such as air conditioning, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, accessibility, fast internet and up-to-date security technology.

Handover is often in a high-quality shell condition, so buyers can design the interior individually, from flooring to room layout to sector-specific fittings. Premium commercial spaces in Graz stand out with high-quality materials, representative architecture and often a top location. They are generally turnkey and ready for immediate use.

Old buildings (Altbau) are also important in Graz. Many historic buildings from the Gründerzeit era have been converted into law firms, agencies or medical practices and offer high ceilings, special atmosphere and central locations. However, the condition of the building fabric should be checked, as modern building services or renovated sanitary facilities are not always a given.

In return, old buildings often have extras such as parquet floors, panel doors or small inner courtyard gardens. Some commercial spaces also originate from former apartments, where bathrooms may still be present—not always necessary for the intended use, but sometimes an added value. In general: the better the equipment and flexibility, the more future-proof the investment.

Location is one of the most important factors for the success and value of a commercial property. In Graz one roughly distinguishes between city center, industrial/commercial areas on the outskirts and locations in the surrounding region.

Particularly sought-after are the prime (1A) locations in the city center and on heavily frequented traffic arteries, such as pedestrian zones, central shopping streets or squares with high footfall. There, shops and service providers benefit from high visibility and many customers.

At the same time, purchase prices per square meter in these premium locations are significantly higher than in peripheral areas, which is due to limited availability and strong demand.

Offices and retail businesses with customer traffic usually locate centrally, while other types of commercial use prefer peripheral locations. In the outer districts and in the Graz-Umgebung district there are large commercial areas with advantages such as good accessibility by car and often lower land costs.

There you will find larger areas and halls available, ideal for logistics, production or wholesale. One example is the commercial area along Mitterstraße in the south of Graz, near Puntigam station and the motorway feeder road: companies there benefit from ample space, parking opportunities and excellent transport connections.

Such locations are not downtown sites, but they offer an optimal infrastructure for companies that need space and logistical advantages. Anyone wishing to buy a property must therefore weigh up: a representative city address or space and accessibility.

Besides location, the property type is also decisive. Office properties are found in business centers and modern buildings, for example in Jakomini or in the up-and-coming Eggenberg with its Science Tower and Smart City.

Retail properties such as shops and gastronomy are mainly located in shopping streets, shopping centers or busy residential areas. Industrial and logistics properties are usually located on the outskirts or near motorway junctions like the west and south, where warehouses and production areas can be established more easily.

There are also mixed forms, for example shops on the ground floor of period buildings with offices above, or business parks with various companies. In the end: location and property type must fit the business model – a boutique needs footfall in the center, a freight forwarder primarily needs space and motorway access. Graz offers the full spectrum, from the historic city center to the modern future hub.

• Graz is growing dynamically: In recent years Graz has recorded strong population and economic growth. The city now has over 300.000 inhabitants and is the fastest-growing state capital in Austria. This growth is also reflected in the real estate market – commercial properties are more in demand than ever, as more and more companies open or expand locations in Graz.
• Large supply of office and retail space: Graz currently has around 600.000 m² of office space and about 170.000 m² of retail or commercial space in inner-city locations. In addition, there are extensive warehouse and logistics areas in the surrounding region – the logistics sector in and around Graz recently even exceeded the milestone of 1.000.000 m² of hall space. Despite these impressive figures, demand for modern space remains high. New commercial developments constantly come onto the market, and many older properties are modernized to meet demand.
• Location determines the purchase price: The location of a commercial property significantly influences its price. Prime (1A) locations in Graz – for example in the city’s shopping streets – achieve peak prices but offer maximum visibility and sales potential. In peripheral areas and the surrounding region you often get more land and building area for your money. Commercial plots are generally cheaper per square meter in the Graz-Umgebung district or neighboring regions than inner-city objects, making them attractive for logistics, production and large-scale businesses.
• Diverse commercial properties for every sector: Graz’s commercial real estate landscape is very diverse. There are classic city-center offices for service providers, retail premises for trade, shopping centers for chains, as well as workshops, warehouses and even specialist properties such as hotels or gastronomy estates. Many properties are equipped for specific sectors: a modern office scores with flexible layout and IT infrastructure, while a restaurant requires, for example, licensing, ventilation systems and outdoor seating. Companies therefore pay close attention to whether the property’s finish and equipment match their concept – often small adaptations are needed to turn a neutral space into the perfect business premises.
• New commercial areas as future hubs: Several new business parks and business centers are currently being developed around Graz, which are considered future hubs for innovative sectors. Premium commercial spaces with state-of-the-art infrastructure are being created in development areas on the outskirts and in adjacent municipalities – for example high-tech office campuses, logistics centers or mixed business parks. These projects attract technology-oriented companies, start-ups and expanding businesses. In the long term, they strengthen the whole Styria region as an economic location. For buyers this means additional opportunities: those who invest early in such a new plot or commercial property could benefit from value increases as the location gains importance.