WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Preferred Offices, a Washington-based company that leases temporary office space, will expand its reach in the region with three new locations this fall.

The expansion will increase the company’s local footprint by 75 percent with the addition of 242 new offices in Bethesda, Alexandria and the District.

The company, which is an affiliate of CarrAmerica, will have a total of 561 offices and more than 160,000 square feet of space once the new locations are open. Preferred made the decision to expand in the Washington area because of the high demand for office space, said Angie O’Grady, president and chief operating officer.

“We’ve seen continued demand in other locations,” O’Grady said, including in Maryland, where Preferred will open its first location.

Despite slowed growth in the residential real estate market, the commercial market has remained strong in Washington.

Office vacancies are just above 8 percent, well below the 11 percent national average, and office rents are some of the highest in the country, at just under $35 per square foot, according to figures from the Alexandria-based commercial real estate research firm Delta Associates.

Preferred Offices is one of only a few companies in the area that specialize in temporary office space. Companies such as Preferred primarily lease space to start-up firms transitioning from home offices to more permanent space and contractors on long-term assignments away from their home office.

“The office space is set up so that someone could walk in this morning and go to work,” O’Grady said.

The company is also looking to expand to other markets across the U.S., O’Grady said, including New York City.

kwilmeth@dcexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:24 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 14, 2008 re: "Home Depot drops South City proposal"

Conscientious Observer said:
A 'heads up' for those men who may be regular Home Depot customers. Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping. Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don't be naive enough to think it couldn't happen to you or your friends. Here's how the scam works: Two seriously good-looking 25-28 year-old girls come over to your car as you are packing your shopping into the trunk. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. It is impossible not to look. When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say 'No' and instead ask you for a ride to another Home Depot. You agree and they get in the backseat. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet. I had my wallet stolen April 4th, 9th, 10th & twice on the

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8:24 PM MST on Sun., Feb. 3, 2008 re: "Southwest Airlines brings low-cost flights to Dulles"

Examiner Reader said:
Are there flights out of MacArthur Airport on Long Island New York to Washington Dulles

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3:29 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 2, 2008 re: "A complaint about delivery of The Baltimore Examiner"

Examiner Reader said:
I understand that we should not choose a President based on his religious beliefs,but tell me---how can we support a President in defending our country when he doesn"t even believe in pledging allegiance to it!!!!?????

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9:31 AM MST on Thu., Jan. 31, 2008 re: "New alarm aimed at fighting construction theft"

Examiner Reader said:
The Dewalt system is good for notification but the alarm only sounds for 20 seconds and shuts off. The alarm is not loud at all if it were in the middle of a large job site nobody would hear it.

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9:20 PM MST on Sun., Dec. 30, 2007 re: "Celsion CEO resigns as firm deals to retain market listing"

Makis said:
Nice!

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10:19 PM MST on Wed., Dec. 19, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

Examiner Reader said:
I can't believe Fort Monmouth has a bunch of whinos have they ever heard of commuting on the Acela from New Jersey every morning my guess is no.

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10:39 AM MST on Wed., Dec. 12, 2007 re: "Hale keeps his focus on achieving success"

Examiner Reader said:
Ed Hale is a real inspiration. He's the perfect model of the American dream. LL Detroit

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12:06 PM MST on Fri., Aug. 24, 2007 re: "Harford County fighting the battle of Fort Monmouth"

Examiner Reader said:
fort monmouth should close down! it's a waste of tax payers money. (civilian employee's have 2 hour lunch breaks, there is so much infidelity going on there, sex in parking lot, etc) The come and go as they please, and we the tax payers pay for this. Put the money where it is needed, in defense!

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