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Food, Fitness, Entertainment Firms Will Save Houston Shopping Centers, Says InterFace Panel

by Katie Sloan

HOUSTON — As brick-and-mortar retailers such as Sears, Macy’s and hhgregg continue to shutter stores throughout the country at a furious pace, Houston developers are rapidly warming to the idea of anchoring their shopping centers with restaurants, fitness centers and entertainment-based businesses. Retail executives throughout the Houston area convened at the InterFace Houston Retail conference on April 18 to discuss the impact of this trend and others on the metro’s retail real estate market. David Luther, first vice president and district manager at Marcus & Millichap moderated a panel of five industry experts who addressed everything from the threat of e-commerce to parking wars between tenants. In Houston, the rampant growth of e-commerce contributed to 1.3 million square feet of big-box space being returned to the market in 2016, according to CBRE. In addition, the first quarter of 2017 saw net absorption of only 182,000 square feet. The end result is that developers are being forced to repurpose shopping centers anchored by traditional big-box retailers. As such, they are increasingly turning to businesses that offer a lifestyle product or service to fill the void. Larry Levine, president of Houston-based development firm Levcor Inc. and a conference panelist, noted that big-box …

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FeaturesTop Stories

The Current and Future State of Class B Regional Malls

by Katie Sloan

There’s no question that regional malls, especially those outside major metropolitan areas, are feeling the brunt of market disruption. The brick-and-mortar retail environment has long been fighting the battle against e-commerce encroachment, shifting consumer habits and changing demographics. In the last five years, based on CoStar data: Retail rents in general have grown only 1 percent on average annually since 2011 while multifamily and office rents have seen 5 percent increases during that same time period. Class B and C regional malls have experienced a negative annual average growth of -3 percent; rents are down by approximately 19 percent. Also decreasing is the square footage being leased, from approximately 17,000 square feet on average to 11,000 square feet between 2010 and 2015. Currently, one-fifth of all U.S. malls have vacancy rates above 10 percent as department stores retrench. On the flip side, CoStar reports regional mall asset sales volume has risen significantly over the past three years, demonstrating that these properties can still-be attractive investments, particularly among private equity investors and REITs. They are buying Class B malls at relatively high capitalization rates at times approaching 8 percent or 9 percent (compared to a sub-6 percent cap for Class A …

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FeaturesHospitalityTop Stories

M&M: Job Growth Fuels Bright Outlook for Hotels in 2017

by Taylor Williams

Hoteliers are poised to see higher revenues in 2017, thanks in large part to the shrinking national unemployment rate, according to a new report from Marcus & Millichap titled “U.S. Hospitality Investment Forecast.” The unemployment rate, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports fell 20 basis points to 4.5 percent in March, is powering hospitality forecasts in several ways. Most fundamentally, as the economy expands and more jobs are created, wages begin to increase, leaving consumers with more disposable income for leisure and travel. Economic expansion also breeds more interstate commerce between businesses, driving up levels of work-related travel. In March 2017, the country added 56,000 jobs in the professional and business services sector, according to the BLS. Furthermore, since 2011, the U.S. has added between two and three million jobs per year. This growth has enabled workers to hold jobs for longer periods of time, giving them more accrued vacation days. Finally, as the workforce grows, younger employees gradually phase out older ones, leading to a growing segment of retirement-age consumers. These job-growth trends all point to increased consumer traveling and spending in 2017. As such, the hospitality sector is projecting a 1.4 percent growth in room demand …

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FeaturesOfficeTop Stories

Growth of U.S. Office Market Continues to ‘Disappoint,’ Says Reis

by Taylor Williams

One measurement of the health of the U.S. office sector stood out in the first quarter of this year. Net absorption totaled 4.9 million square feet, down from an average of 9.4 million square feet per quarter in 2016 and the lowest since 2014. In short, growth in the office sector “continued to disappoint,” according to Reis. The New York City-based real estate research firm, which tracks 82 markets nationally, recently released its analysis of the property sector’s vital signs in the first quarter. The positive news is that the office vacancy rate held steady at 15.8 percent from the prior quarter, and was down 20 basis points from the first quarter of 2016. The overall asking rent rose 1.8 percent on an annual basis. Construction was also relatively low at 7.9 million square feet in the first quarter of 2017, down from an average of 8.8 million square feet in 2016. Much like retail real estate’s war with e-commerce, office markets are competing with the pressures of using space more efficiently and hiring employees who work from remote locations, says Reis senior economist Barbara Byrne Denham. “Firms have persistently leased less space for their growing workforce,” she says. The …

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FeaturesOfficeTexasTexas & Oklahoma Feature ArchiveUncategorized

Business Parks Energize the Lone Star State

by Jaime Lackey

Speculative development and e-commerce tenant demands are driving forces in Dallas and Houston’s industrial markets. By Brian Lee The biggest developments in the biggest state in the lower 48 are making big news: industrial business parks in Texas’ top markets continue to show strong development and leasing activity. Cushman & Wakefield shared a “very encouraging” industrial outlook on the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. With slightly less than 24 million square feet of absorption in 2016, market demand continues to outpace supply, which included 22 million square feet of new construction last year. PwC and Urban Land Institute ranked the metro second nationally for real estate prospects in 2017 and fulfillment centers No. 1 in both the development and investment categories, ahead of 23 other property types. “The evolution of the e-commerce sector continues to shape the industrial market as a whole,” says Adam Hammack, senior director of Industrial Agency Leasing in Cushman & Wakefield’s Dallas office. Site selection factors for large e-commerce users comprise fresh building functionality, modern infrastructure and the ability to attract and retain labor, which includes nearby transit and retail options for industrial park personnel, according to Hammack. Focusing on the effects of the energy downturn doesn’t …

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Conference CoverageMultifamilyTexasTexas & Oklahoma Feature ArchiveTop Stories

Apartment Locators, Property Managers in Houston Cash In On Rent Slump, Say InterFace Panelists

by Taylor Williams

HOUSTON — While it’s not an ideal time to be a multifamily property owner in Houston, it is a good time to be working on behalf of one. With their clients sitting on excess supply, apartment locators — middlemen who match tenant preferences to properties — are being increasingly called upon to deliver tenants. Locators work on commission, typically earning about 20 percent of the first month’s rent for their services. But in Houston’s soft market, that figure is rapidly rising. Ricardo Rivas, chief investment officer at Allied Orion Group and one of several panelists who spoke at the InterFace Houston Multifamily conference on March 28, noted that while locators are costly, the services they provide in a down market are crucial. “They [locators] are our best friends right now,” Rivas said to 175 industry professionals who gathered at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. “We reach out to them, we throw them parties and we give them big incentives to bring tenants over.” Todd Marix, a senior managing partner in HFF’s Houston office who spoke on an earlier panel, addressed the rising operating costs that landlords are facing. In his view, fees paid to apartment locators are quietly doing major damage …

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FeaturesRetailTop Stories

Reis: Despite Bankruptcies, Retail Vacancy Holds Steady, Rents Increase

by Jeff Shaw

NEW YORK CITY — Despite a rash of bankruptcies and store closures by major retailers during the first quarter of 2017, the U.S. retail market overall is quite healthy, according to a report by Reis, a New York-based commercial real estate analytics firm. To gather its data, Reis tracked multi-tenant neighborhood and community shopping centers of 10,000 square feet or larger in 77 primary metro areas throughout the United States. Last week, Payless ShoeSource became the 10th retailer to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy so far this year, according to CNBC. Others include Gander Mountain, BCBG Max Azria, Wet Seal, Limited Stores, Gordmans Stores, hhgregg, Eastern Outfitters, RadioShack, General Wireless Operations and Michigan Sporting Goods Distributors. Aeropostale also closed nearly 600 locations in 2017, while Sports Authority gave back 460 storefronts after its liquidation. Macy’s, JC Penney and Sears are undertaking additional store closures Despite the headline-grabbing stories that would imply retail is struggling, Reis reports that the vacancy rate held steady at 9.9 percent during the first quarter of 2017 — identical to both the previous quarter and previous year. Both asking and effective rents increased as well. Asking rents rose to $20.55 per square foot, an increase of …

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MultifamilyStudent HousingTexasTexas & Oklahoma Feature ArchiveTop Stories

InterFace Student Housing Brings Industry Executives to Austin

by Taylor Williams

AUSTIN, TEXAS  — Over 1,200 leaders from across all facets of the student housing industry descended on Austin last week for the 9th annual InterFace Student Housing conference, held at the J.W. Marriott. The conference concluded April 7 after two-and-a-half days of networking and educational sessions on topics ranging from the state of the industry, to leasing and marketing, development and design. While the industry is evolving, sunny skies continue to be the forecast for years to come. Rising rental rates are coupled with record-breaking levels of asset sales, and an increase in institutional and foreign investment, further legitimizing the sector. The conference kicked off Wednesday, April 5, with the 6th annual SHB Open Golf Outing at Barton Creek Resort & Spa, and then moved to the third floor of the J.W. Marriott Austin, where a record-breaking number of attendees met to network and dine over a range of industry topics. The afternoon began with a round of Speed Networking, where over 100 industry experts participated in short, four-minute conversations designed to spur discussion and foster new relationships. The group then moved into 25 InterFace+ Info Roundtables on topics ranging from the possible obsolescence of interior amenities, to international student housing opportunities and …

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FeaturesRetailTop Stories

M&M: Despite Department Store Closings, Retail Sales Boosted by Three Significant Trends

by Kristin Harlow

Retail sales vaulted 4.4 percent in 2016, driven by consistent job growth, wage growth and high consumer confidence, according to a research brief from Marcus & Millichap. These three trends have fostered a strong retail consumption environment that will continue to support retail center performance. Consistent job growth saw the addition of 2.4 million workers in 2016. Wage growth has averaged 2.3 percent annually and consumer confidence has remained near decade highs. Obscuring the positive performance in local community retail establishments was the department store closures from Sears, Macy’s and JC Penney, as well as the bankruptcy of hhgregg. In 2016, sales fell 5.6 percent in the department store segment and 6 percent for electronics retailers. Other specialty stores, such as Ulta Beauty and Dick’s Sporting Goods, have reported strong sales growth and opportunity for expansion. Ulta Beauty unveiled plans for 100 new locations over the coming year. Sales in the health and personal care sector grew 6.1 percent last year. Dick’s Sporting Goods plans to open 43 new stores this year. Sporting goods sales rose 4.6 percent. Vigorous grocery demand continues in local communities. Grocery chains will anchor and open more than 280 local neighborhood centers this year. As …

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Conference CoverageFeaturesMultifamilyTexasTexas & Oklahoma Feature ArchiveTop Stories

Millennials in Houston Multifamily Driver’s Seat, Say InterFace Panelists

by Taylor Williams

Tenant concessions, ranging from free rent to complimentary carpet cleanings to distribution of gift cards, have become the norm in Houston’s multifamily market over the last few years. And according to several industry experts who spoke at the InterFace Houston Multifamily Conference on March 28, it’s the millennials who are taking advantage of them. Houston has become an especially attractive destination for millennials in recent years. According to a survey by JAXUSA Partnership, which tracks demographic trends throughout major metros, between 2010 and 2013, the metro ranked sixth in population growth of residents age 20 to 29. Tenants receive fewer concessions in submarkets without a lot of new construction. In Houston, this primarily means suburbs — The Woodlands, Pearland, and Katy. In submarkets closer to downtown, where there is generally more construction, concessions have come to serve as bargaining chips for prospective renters. For Houston landlords, operating in a market where concessions have become standard has made lease renewals harder to come by. Stacy Hunt, executive director of multifamily development and management firm Greystar, sees a direct correlation between millennials and lease renewals. “Properties in [sub]markets where you have a lot of millennials — Downtown, Heights, Washington Avenue — it’s tougher …

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