Midwest Market Reports

Cleveland Adapts to Changing Retail Landscape

by Kristin Harlow August 8, 2019

“The retail landscape is changing.” How many times have we, industry professionals especially, heard these words over the past several years? But the reality is, it’s true. There have been countless articles, blogs and lectures blitzing us with arguments supporting or arguing against the notion that brick-and-mortar retail is fighting a losing battle against a burgeoning e-commerce industry. As many of us in the industry know, brick-and-mortar stores still hold a 90 percent market share of retail sales. While that number is shrinking, it is shrinking at a slower pace with each passing quarter. So, rather than talking about e-commerce and its potential negative impact on physical stores, I’d prefer to focus on the categories that are thriving, and in many cases benefiting from e-commerce. The fact is that pressures of e-commerce, coupled with changing consumer preferences driven by millennials and Gen Z, have forced retailers to adapt. The Cleveland market is an excellent microcosm of this retail evolution that has swept through the U.S. Here are the most notable retail trends in Cleveland. Health and beauty Perhaps the hottest category in retail right now is health and beauty. In plain terms, Americans today, more than ever, value being healthy …

August 8, 2019

Industrial Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Ohio

Cincinnati Industrial Market Absorption Drives 8 MSF in New Construction

by Kristin Harlow July 25, 2019

In 2018, the Greater Cincinnati industrial market experienced record-breaking positive net absorption of 7 million square feet, the highest level of absorption in more than a decade. This was followed by only 201,000 square feet of direct net absorption in the first quarter of this year, which at first glance could be concerning. But the good news is that 8 million square feet is currently under construction across our market. Over the past five years, new construction deliveries have been a consistent source of growth and positive absorption in Greater Cincinnati. The industrial market typically does not experience a high absorption rate in the first quarter when compared with the rest of the year. The low absorption figure in the first quarter of 2019 is actually due to lack of available supply rather than a major market change. Leasing impact New-construction, pre-leased buildings were a major source of positive net absorption in 2018. Winter weather and construction schedules limited first-quarter completions to just 520,000 square feet. The largest delivered facility was the 308,000-square-foot West Chester Trade Center #1, a bulk distribution building in the Northwest submarket. TSC Apparel moved into 196,000 square feet at the facility, absorbing more than 60 …

July 25, 2019

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office Ohio

Various Submarkets Attract Cincinnati Office Tenants

by Kristin Harlow July 18, 2019

Over the past decade, Cincinnati has successfully positioned itself as a formidable Midwestern city, hungry for growth and innovation. Whether you’re a startup or a Fortune 500 company, the city (and its surrounding suburbs) can provide an attractive backdrop. The Cincinnati office market largely reflects this momentum. Demand in some areas has slowed, but the office market remains steady. In fact, the office market has experienced a flurry of activity in 2019 and is awash in new lease transactions and announcements of proposed new development. The first quarter of 2019 recorded a 1 percent drop in the entire market vacancy to 14.2 percent, according to Colliers International. The central business district (CBD)’s 12.2 percent vacancy is expected to drop another percentage point, as several pending leases are soon to be announced. I-71 North dominates The most active area is the I-71 North submarket, where five lease transactions came to fruition. Eversana leased 78,000 square feet at 8990 Duke Blvd., filling the former Express Scripts building just months after it went vacant. Worldpay took down 50,000 square feet at 8845 Governor’s Hill Drive across the street from its headquarters. Smith/Halleman Partners, the owner of the multi-building Governors Pointe, attracted Resurgent Capital …

July 18, 2019

Market Reports Michigan Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

Occupancy, Rental Rates Are on the Rise in Detroit’s CBD Office Market

by Kristin Harlow July 11, 2019

Given the pace at which the Detroit commercial office space market is evolving, updates and projections are changing with extraordinary speed. The market can look very different in just a few short months, and it’s worth checking in to see where things stand relative to the beginning of the year. CBD occupancy is high While growth remains the headline story, the focus has changed somewhat from a high level of leasing activity across the metro area to more of adaptation and evolution as landlords, tenants and brokers all adapt to a downtown market that is reaching capacity. The vacancy rate in Detroit proper is the lowest it has ever been, and office space in Midtown and downtown is getting harder and harder to come by. Deals are still being executed across metro Detroit, but with rents continuing to rise and space at a premium, the incentives landscape looks nothing like it has in recent years. Parking rates have increased dramatically with a major shortage in parking in the central business district (CBD). The monthly cost of parking has increased to approximately $250 per space downtown. Creative solutions Incentives continue and have produced new opportunity for creativity, as owners and operators …

July 11, 2019

Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Mixed-Use Nebraska

Cornhusker State Has a Knack for Mixed-Use Projects

by Kristin Harlow June 27, 2019

The term “mixed-use” appears to be all the rage, possibly a victim of its own success. A similar phenomenon occurred in the retail world with the introduction of the term “lifestyle center.” As a concept grows in popularity there is the natural inclination to capitalize on the movement, which can ultimately lead to watering down the concept. However, despite a trend toward reducing the term “mixed-use” to its lowest common denominator, namely having two different product types, Nebraska’s mixed-use developers have remained dedicated to a meaningful and synergistic combination of several product types: office, residential, retail and food and entertainment. Nebraskan’s zeal for creating sizable mixed-use projects has provided its residents a variety of developments possessing a genuine and meaningful sense of place and community. Although there’s more mixed-use projects in the making for the Husker State, for the purpose of this article we’ve chosen five projects that best represent the state’s mixed-use development. These developments not only create a desirable feel, but positively impact the larger community. Frankly, it’s one thing to have a successful mixed-use development where live, work and play isn’t just a marketing tag line. But, it’s a whole different matter when a project’s success spills …

June 27, 2019

Iowa Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

Office Amenities Drive Tenant Decisions in Des Moines Market

by Kristin Harlow June 20, 2019

In the last few years, the greater Des Moines metro area has been a title holder, reigning as a “Top Place to Live,” “Top City for Young Professionals” and even “Best Place to Retire.” Meanwhile the economy, business environment and commercial real estate sector hold titles like steady, stable and reliable. However, over the past 24 months, the commercial office market could add thriving, prosperous and robust to that list of adjectives. As office lease rates continue to rise 1.5 to 2.5 percent annually in quality buildings, most landlords are implementing capital improvement plans that “refresh” their assets and have begun to offer amenity packages that the tenant marketplace demands. With the unemployment rate near a historical low — an estimated 2.4 percent — it has become ever more critical and competitive to recruit and retain new workforce talent. Lease concession offerings from landlords, such as rent abatement and above-standard tenant improvement packages, have decreased since post-recession levels. Despite these positive fundamentals, headwinds are facing the marketplace. A tremendous amount of block space, some from formerly non-competitive or single-tenant buildings, has come available and concession levels could once again increase as landlords compete for tenants looking for a larger footprint. …

June 20, 2019

Indiana Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Multifamily

Greater Indy Multifamily Sector Draws Interest from Larger Pool of Investors

by Kristin Harlow June 13, 2019

Demographic shifts and the subsequent demand for affordable housing are currently impacting the greater Indianapolis multifamily sector, but the most marked influence is increased and expanded investor interest. Demographic shifts in population are influencing developers and owners in their long-term decision making when it comes to the multifamily sector. Two primary factors are at play. One, the traditional renter’s segment is changing as millennials age and delay having children. Two, national population projections are showing a decline in the prime renter’s segment as Baby Boomers begin to move into seniors housing. As a result, developers and owners are beginning to plan more senior living communities. Millennials are also impacting affordable housing occupancy rates as they want to live in walkable and amenity-rich areas without the cost of high-end apartments. This is leading to more rehabbed properties. At the moment, Class C properties in the Indianapolis area are reflecting greater occupancy movements, as occupancy declines when properties become distressed and increases when they are purchased and rehabbed. Additionally, college debt is delaying graduates in purchasing traditional homes. Both of these factors are causing occupancy rate increases which, in turn, result in a shortage of affordable housing. New housing construction costs are …

June 13, 2019

Illinois Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

How to Repurpose Suburban Chicago’s Vacant Corporate Campuses

by Kristin Harlow June 6, 2019

More than 50 years ago, I was witness to the birth of a new building type in Chicago’s suburbs — the great sprawling corporate campus. From Motorola and McDonald’s to Ameritech and Sears, some of the most influential brands in the world started taking root in Chicago’s bucolic suburbs as they looked to consolidate business divisions under one large roof and to provide a stimulating work environment away from the hustle and bustle of the inner city. Today, many of these corporate meccas sit vacant due to the rise in telecommuting and a shift in workforce demographics. The simple version of the narrative is that instead of people chasing the jobs, firms are now chasing the talent. And for the moment, many employees prefer to live and work in the city. While some suburbs are strongly associated with the companies who previously occupied those campuses, there is another story to tell in terms of the opportunities change can bring to these properties and their surrounding communities. As the architect who designed two of these campuses, the AT&T (né Ameritech) corporate campus in Hoffman Estates in 1989 and McDonald’s global headquarters in Oak Brook starting in 1978, I have repeatedly been …

June 6, 2019

Kansas Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Mixed-Use

Increased Development Brings New Life to Wichita’s Core

by Kristin Harlow May 30, 2019

Like many U.S. cities, Wichita’s downtown has experienced an unprecedented revitalization in recent years, with new development and the reimagining of older structures. Growth in the core is not slowing anytime soon if current projects under construction or on the drawing board are any indication. A number of projects, revolving around a new baseball stadium, are poised to inject new life into the historic Delano District. Plans for a new performing arts center are under discussion, and major mixed-use developments and public improvement projects along East Douglas Avenue are positioned to enhance the link between Delano and the city’s Old Town district. According to the organization Downtown Wichita, more than $1 billion has been invested in the urban core in the last 10 years, $631 million of which was private investment. The city center has retained a number of high-profile businesses after a decade of notable companies relocating to northeast suburban office locations. Project pipeline Following the recent addition of more than 800 apartment units in and around the central business district, commercial activity is on the upswing. The Spaghetti Works District, expected to be completed this fall, is a $23 million mixed-use development led by TGC Development Group and …

May 30, 2019

Kansas Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Mixed-Use

Momentum Grows in Topeka Via Holistic Economic Development Plan

by Kristin Harlow May 23, 2019

A renaissance is underway in Topeka, Kansas, with undeniable momentum as new commercial, industrial and residential developments emerge citywide. The year 2015 was pivotal with a $9.4 million public-private investment in infrastructure and amenities along Kansas Avenue downtown. Local investors have purchased more than 25 buildings on the avenue for gradual restoration into thriving businesses like Iron Rail Brewing, The Pennant, Cyrus Hotel and Kansas Avenue Lofts. The 45,000-square-foot Evergy Plaza is slated to open in March 2020 in the shadow of the Kansas Statehouse. A crowning jewel of downtown development, the plaza will feature a 50-foot performance stage, digital screen, programmable fountains, fireplaces and an ice skating rink during the winter. According to a recent market study, growth in the Capital City shows no signs of slowing down. St. Louis-based Development Strategies says downtown could support expansion over the next decade to include 900 new or rehabilitated housing units, 300,000 square feet of new or rehabilitated office space, 690,000 square feet of retail space and at least 200 more hotel rooms. “Investments downtown enhance quality of life and quality of place to help attract and retain a workforce that will take us into the next 15 to 20 years,” …

May 23, 2019

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