What area is your expertise? Our team’s expertise is the industrial real estate market primarily in Western Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor. We also work nationally for clients who are expanding into other areas either for site/space acquisitions or investment opportunities. What trends do you see presently in industrial development in your area? Currently there is no speculative development occurring in our area. Sites of interest would be infill sites in mature markets and rail-served sites. Risk is being priced back into the market with a significant pricing spread being evident between Class A and Class B properties — something we did not see during the high point of this past real state cycle. What type of industrial product is doing well in your area? Business parks accommodating the smaller to medium size users are doing relatively well. In addition, properties located near or in Seattle are doing well. The Kent Valley, due to its close proximity to Seattle and being composed or primarily business parks, is experiencing a decline in vacancy rates. In addition, rail served sites are a desirable commodity. Who are the active industrial developers in your area? Active national developers include: Panattoni, First Industrial, Opus, …
Market Reports
The Pacific Northwest’s regional economy remains strong even after being impacted by the national and global economic trends. Unemployment is up to 5.3 percent in the region. Housing sales have also slowed, however, sales prices have increased slightly. Most retailers’ sales have increased although across-the-board sales have been flat, since auto and furniture sales are down, due to rising fuel prices and fewer home sales, respectively. Questionable shopping center projects are now being placed on hold or have become staged developments, while well located, designed and tenanted centers are going forward. Well-placed neighborhood centers continue to be planned and developed, though some neighborhood centers have been impacted by Wal-Mart Supercenters and Winco Foods, causing nearby grocers to close or reposition. This has resulted in large vacancies in a few neighborhood centers. Regional and community centers have also seen a few more vacancies, which has caused some retailers previously suffering from poor sales to close stores, while others are taking a more cautious approach to expansion. National retail apparel chains have slowed, bypassing most community center opportunities. Regional malls continue adding lifestyle components. At Southcenter in Tukwila, Washington, a second lifestyle component could be added to the north side of the …
What area is your expertise? Seattle, Washington What trends do you see presently in office development in your area? There are currently 13 office projects of 100,000 square feet or larger under construction in the Greater Seattle Office Market comprising approximately 3.7 million square feet. Who are the active office developers in your area? Daniels Development Company, Vulcan Real Estate, Schnitzer West, Touchstone, Opus Northwest and Martin Selig Real Estate. Please name one or two significant office developments in your area. What impact will these projects have on the market? 818 Stewart Building — Developed by Schnitzer West is due for delivery third quarter 2008. This is the first new Class A construction to be completed in the Courthouse district area of Seattle’s Central Business District (CBD). Fifth & Columbia — Developed by Daniels Development, it will become a key part of Seattle’s established financial district when it is completed in late 2010. Where is the majority of development taking place? Why is this area doing well? Much of the new construction in Seattle is occurring in the North CBD and South Lake Union areas. The North CBD houses the new federal courthouse and South Lake Union will be home …
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