Friday, March 14, 2025
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Midwest Market Reports

IllinoisMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsOffice

As Uncertainty Continues in Office Market, What Should Tenants Do?

by Kristin Harlow

By Ryan Foran, Cresa As we approach the three-year anniversary of the start of the pandemic, it continues to affect the commercial real estate industry in many ways, with no asset class impacted as significantly as the office sector. While retail initially stumbled but rebounded, and industrial soared to unexpected heights amid distribution emergencies, millions of U.S. office employees continue a tenuous balance of working from home versus going into the office.  The pandemic wasn’t all bad news for office tenants. Many businesses with simple infrastructure and experienced staff have been so effective with remote set-ups that they have shed office space permanently and eliminated rent from the books. Others have embraced emerging technologies like virtual meetings and chat solutions to reduce the need for face-to-face interaction. In one way or another, most businesses were able to leverage this unique situation to improve their business processes, technology and personnel, and have embraced remote work at some level. But many businesses with younger, less experienced staff have reported ongoing struggles with recruiting, mentorship, culture development and staff retention. Some of these may have been amplified by complex external factors such as an ongoing labor shortage, an unprecedented resignation of our older …

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HealthcareMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMinnesota

Expanding Providers Boost Minneapolis Medical Office Market

by Kristin Harlow

By Jill Rasmussen, Davis The Minneapolis – St. Paul medical office building (MOB) market remains strong with calculated strategic growth from both hospital systems and independent clinics. The MOB sector has been resilient during the pandemic, economic challenges and local civil unrest. Providers have been focused on expanding into new market areas to locate close to their patient base, providing full-service medical hubs offering outpatient surgery and specialty services to communities while offering lower-cost care away from a hospital campus. The overall market remains very stable with a current vacancy rate of 8.6 percent on-campus and 10.6 percent off-campus. There remains high interest in off-campus locations for most non-acute care for location access and cost savings.  Base rents continue to increase both on- and off-campus due to demand and higher new construction pricing. Base rates have reached nearly $22 per rentable square foot (rsf) on average on-campus and $21/rsf for off-campus existing product.  New MOB construction rates have increased from $24.50/rsf to $28+/rsf due to interest rate hikes and supply chain/labor issues, but new construction projects continue to move ahead based on provider’s strategic initiatives.  Annual base rent increases are trending up due to current inflation levels from a historical …

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Market ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMinnesotaRetail

Minneapolis Suburbs Continue to Shine for Retail Real Estate

by Kristin Harlow

By Jesseka Doherty and Johnny Reimann, Mid-America Real Estate The fundamental strength of the metro Minneapolis economy is on full display in the suburban retail real estate market this summer, where space is tight, new supply is limited, rents are on the rise and construction costs continue to challenge tenants and landlords alike. The macroeconomic picture in the first half of the year was stunning, actually. For the second quarter that ended June 30, the unemployment rate was a remarkable sub-2 percent, which was even lower than the national level of about 4 percent, and consumer spending was robust. Urban submarkets have been more challenged, but even in the Minneapolis central business district, retail rents are holding up as the office market shows stability. Driving demand  With work-from-home still a factor, remote employees who live in the suburbs often are more inclined to shop, dine and play close to home, which bodes well for retail in proximity.  Across key trade areas, retailers and other tenants in regional and community centers are more in demand than ever. Submarkets faring well include Apple Valley, Burnsville, Coon Rapids, Eagan, Maple Grove, Roseville and Woodbury. The densification of the suburbs also is driving demand …

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Market ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMissouriMultifamily

Metro St. Louis Multifamily Market Caters to Aging Population

by Kristin Harlow

By Dan Thies, Sansone Group We are more than halfway through the year and the multifamily market in the St. Louis metropolitan area continues to grow. As of the first quarter, there were 5,112 multifamily units under construction in the metropolitan area. So far, the rise in interest rates and the increase in construction costs has not dampened the enthusiasm of investors and developers for constructing new units in this market. Vacancy rates continue to stay low and lease rates continue to increase. As long as these market conditions continue, developers are going to bring new units to market. The new units being built will reflect new design features, which many developers are implementing in their communities.  One of the many design trends taking place across the country and in the St. Louis area addresses the rise in the older population becoming renters. Many members of the baby boomer generation are looking to sell their suburban homes to downsize into smaller, more practical spaces. Their children have moved out of the home, and they no longer need all the space or maintenance of a home. They want to pull the equity out of their home and place it in a …

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IndustrialMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMissouri

Record Construction Fuels Industrial Market Activity in St. Louis Region

by Kristin Harlow

By Mary Lamie, Bi-State Development Modern bulk distribution buildings under construction in the St. Louis region hit a historic high earlier this year, approaching 8 million square feet. The record level of construction illustrates the industrial real estate market in the southwestern Illinois and eastern Missouri region continues to expand to meet ever-increasing demand as world and domestic markets strive to move beyond the disruption that has defined the past two years.  The need for reliable freight logistics and flexible supply chains is proving more essential than ever to keep economies moving, and regions that can meet those needs while delivering the modern bulk and manufacturing space distributors and developers demand will have the greatest potential for continued growth. In mid-2022, nearly 7.4 million square feet remained under construction in the St. Louis region, a level of construction 78 percent higher than 2021 and 47 percent higher than the most recent five-year average.  Also noteworthy is the fact that 100 percent of the modern bulk construction projects underway is speculative. That represents more speculative activity in the region today than in 2019, 2020 and 2021 combined, a clear indication that developers believe the St. Louis market is a solid place …

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KansasMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsMissouriMultifamily

No End Is in Sight for Kansas City’s Multifamily Development Needs

by Kristin Harlow

By Chris Armer, Hoefer Welker People who call the Kansas City metropolitan area home know it’s a desirable place to live. From the robust job market and vibrant arts scene to its rich history and, of course, stellar sports teams, the Kansas City metro area attracts a diverse group of people. Kansas City is evolving and so are its housing needs.  In recent years, the demand for multifamily development in Kansas City has grown, driven by a range of factors. Mass retirements and flexible work arrangements are shifting priorities, while the housing shortage and rising interest rates are sending prospective homeowners on the search for attractive alternatives. The multifamily housing trend stands to gain momentum, creating a space for discerning real estate and architecture firms with development expertise to pave the way in an evolving housing market.  The great shuffle   Much has been said about the Great Resignation, but the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t only affect young and midlife workers who left their jobs to pursue higher-paying and more meaningful employment. It also hastened the Great Retirement, a massive wave of baby boomers leaving the workforce, many of them earlier than planned.  Now those homeowners are selling their suburban single-family …

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Market ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsOfficeOhio

Four Factors Driving the Cleveland Office Market Transformation

by Kristin Harlow

By Rob Roe and Jessica Urbin, JLL What does the future of the office in Cleveland look like? While there isn’t one straightforward answer, there’s no doubt that the office of today looks much different than it did five years ago.  Though some companies still maintain a traditional office space, the onset of hybrid work has indisputably changed the way many companies use — and choose — their real estate. This adoption of hybrid work has driven the market’s evident transformation.  Smaller office spaces As companies adopt hybrid work models, the need for larger office spaces decreases. This doesn’t mean companies are eliminating their office real estate, though. In fact, 60 percent of office workers want to work in a hybrid style today, and 55 percent are doing so already. These downsized spaces support this work model by creating shared spaces, such as cubicles or lockers, as well as incorporating more conference rooms and small team rooms to hold private video calls. They also encourage something employees can’t get at home: in-person collaboration. New spaces are being outfitted with intentional spaces to meet, such as lounge areas, desks in open areas, cafés and more. In addition, having small spaces doesn’t …

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IndustrialMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market ReportsOhio

Low Vacancy, Increasing Rents Boost Cleveland Industrial Market

by Kristin Harlow

By Alec Pacella, NAI Pleasant Valley The Cleveland industrial market enjoyed a strong first half of 2022, characterized by record-low vacancy rates, brisk new construction and increased rental rates and sales prices. Although the market has made several headlines over the first six months, many of these trends began several years ago and the pandemic only accelerated the activity level amongst several key sectors. Market wide, the average vacancy rate was just over 4 percent at the mid-year mark, which is a slight decrease from the 4.5 percent rate at the end of last year. By most accounts, this is a record-low level and represents a decrease of two full percentage points over the last five years. The most popular submarket, the Southeast, which encompasses favored industrial locations such as Solon, Twinsburg, Streetsboro and Aurora, finished the first half with a slightly higher rate of 4.4 percent. However, this market has also seen significant new construction, including a predominance of speculative projects.  The submarket with the lowest vacancy rate is the Southwest, which stretches from Middleburg Heights through Medina, checking in at 3.7 percent. At the other end was the downtown submarket. Characterized by a significant amount of older properties, …

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IowaMarket ReportsMidwestMidwest Market Reports

Real Estate Momentum Continues in 2022 in Cedar Rapids

by Kristin Harlow

By Douglas Laird and Karl Hoffman, Skogman Commercial Realty Last year’s article on Cedar Rapids began by describing the 2020 Derecho windstorm that brought major damage to Iowa. This included our entire city of Cedar Rapids — an area of 75 square miles. There has been good progress toward recovery; yet many homes and businesses are still in need of repair. In addition, both individuals and companies confront inflation, energy costs and unpredictable consumer costs and shortages.  In spite of these hurdles, however, the growth in the multifamily, residential and industrial sectors matches national trends. National rankings are exemplary for the city of Cedar Rapids: • No. 10 in “Best Cities to Buy a House in America” • No. 18 in “Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living in America” • No. 3 in the list of “Top 20 Fastest Metro Areas to Save for Your First Home”  The multifamily sector has many exciting new projects in the pipeline totaling over $100 million. Here are just a few: • First on First West: a mixed-use site along First Avenue West • Loftus Lumber site: a five-story building with 186 market-rate units  • KCG Development at Jacolyn Drive SW Land sales …

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Market ReportsMichiganMidwestMidwest Market ReportsOffice

Office Activity Picks Up in Metro Detroit as Tenants Make Workplace Decisions

by Kristin Harlow

By Ryan Nierman, Ph.D. and Bradley Meloche, Colliers The tumultuous events of the last two years have brought uncertainty into many aspects of Detroit’s office market. Even as companies emphasize their eagerness to return to the office, many questions remain regarding space designs, required square footage and buildout requirements. Tenant selectivity With increasing vacancy rates and negative net absorption throughout the metro Detroit office market, real estate experts are witnessing tenants becoming more selective in property occupancy. The result has been a slowing demand for Class B and C office product. Tenants have begun targeting Class A assets with improved visibility, signage, modernized color schemes, numerous amenities and flexible floorplan designs. As the need for larger office footprints goes down in reaction to post-COVID considerations, tenants have become willing to pay increased per-square-foot rents, for at or below preexisting rental budgets, due to decreased size requirements.  The need for tenants to target Class A facilities has been compounded by the so-called “Great Resignation,” as employees are willing to demand more from their employers. As a result, employers know that a failure to invest in a more modern and amenitized workspace may result in poor employee retention and future talent recruitment.  …

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