These haven’t been the easiest times to maintain optimism or even a somewhat sunny outlook, which is a crucial characteristic for those of us who lease office properties in Atlanta or anywhere else in the United States. Everywhere we turn, we’re constantly pounded with negative economic news as the pillars of American industry teeter and equity markets gyrate. But unlike the frozen credit markets, at least the reeling equity markets aren’t completely stagnant. We’re starting to see signs of life, and the main question on everybody’s mind is have we hit bottom? Let’s hope so. There are a few early indicators pointing up, and long-term prospects suggest that metro Atlanta can maintain the growth that transformed the city during the past 30 years. First, Jones Lang LaSalle research has found that metro Atlanta’s office markets, including sublease space, absorbed 182,432 square feet in the first quarter of this year. That would’ve been a bad quarter in 2006, but coming off a year where the office market had negative net absorption of more than 850,000 square feet, we’ll take it. Unfortunately, the urban markets — Buckhead, Midtown and Downtown — posted negative net absorption of 47,640 square feet in the first …
Market Reports
A barrage of national and local coverage has detailed the nation’s housing woes and economic uncertainty – which are clearly having an impact on Atlanta’s multifamily for-sale market. Average absorption rates slowed in all Atlanta submarkets during the first quarter to less than one sale per month, and many projects are struggling to make up for lost contracts as buyers cut their losses, get cold feet or discover they are unable to secure financing or sell their existing homes. The good news is that the necessary steps are underway to correct the supply-demand imbalance. Projects with standing inventory are increasingly employing new strategies to gain traction by enticing buyers with reduced prices and increased incentives; being more open to negotiation on price; and attracting the broker community by providing a portion of commission for properties under construction at the end of the recission period, rather than all at closing. More proposed developments in the pre-construction phase are going on hold until the market recovers, being converted to rentals or cancelled altogether. For example, The Related Group has placed its One Cityplace project on hold; John Weiland announced that plans for One Museum Place are on hold until at least next …
What area is your expertise? Atlanta industrial What trends do you see presently in industrial development in your area? Spec developments has slowed given uncertain economic conditions. Spec space to be delivered this year is 4.9 million square feet, down about half from this time last year. Almost all new development is bulk warehouse of 400,000+ square feet. What type of industrial product is doing well in your area? The bulk market has been active. Distribution is stable. Who are the active industrial developers in your area? DCT Industrial, First Industrial Realty Trust, Duke Realty Corp., Majestic Realty Co., IDI, Raco, Panattoni Development Co., John W. Rooker and Associates, Robert Pattillo Properties, McDonald Development, Jadow Realty and M.D. Hodges. Please name one or two significant industrial developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? IDI’s newly planned Meridian 75 Logistics Center is a 200 acre park along Interstate 75 near Macon. The park will accommodate 3 million square feet when completed and Majestics Airport Center III where the developer has started 4 buildings including a 600,000-square-foot bulk warehouse. Where is the majority of development taking place? Why is this area doing well? Northeast and Airport …
Since 1995, container volume at the port has increased by approximately 400% and now exceeds 2.3 billion TEU s (20-foot equivalent units). With this growth, national developers have entered the market and started large speculative construction projects totaling more than 4.5 million square feet. However, the market is still relatively small at 23 million square feet. While the port s growth will ultimately create strong demand, there are some questions concerning building size and near-term absorption and overbuilding that will be addressed in the next year. Many of the speculative buildings exceed 500,000 square feet. The Savannah industrial market s vacancy is certainly healthy at 5.4%, but the current state of spec development will probably drive it higher in the short term. Additionally, the amount of vacant space may stall rent growth and keep it in the $3.30 to $4 per square foot range over the next year. At Duke, we were fortunate enough to acquire a fully leased, 5.1 million-square-foot portfolio from local developer Wrenn Blalock, we are also exploring additional land opportunities to maintain our position as a leading developer in Savannah. Our Savannah portfolio includes Portside at Grange Road and Crossroads Business Center, where we will acquire …
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