Midwest Market Reports

For Detroit’s Office Market, Motown Is Growth Town

by Kristin Harlow February 14, 2019

With 2018 in the rearview mirror, it’s clear that the Detroit commercial office space market looks dramatically different today than it did just a few years ago. By far the biggest story is the continuing (and perhaps even accelerating) level of leasing activity across the metro area. In the context of Detroit’s ongoing civic renaissance and sustained level of economic growth both regionally and nationally, the strength of the office market isn’t necessarily a shock, but it’s still fascinating to watch things unfold. Downtown expansion With both demand and rental rates on the rise, and a central business district (CBD) that is close to full capacity (currently there is less than 5 percent vacancy in Detroit’s CBD), we are starting to see office tenants moving up into Midtown, New Center and other neighborhoods. The growth in these areas has been not just noteworthy, but significant, with buildings like New Center One on West Grand Boulevard in excess of 90 percent occupancy. The Fisher Building in New Center boasts more than 100,000 square feet of new leasing activity in the last year. Suburban momentum More than a few office tenants now find themselves priced out of the CBD, a situation that …

February 14, 2019

Market Reports Michigan Midwest Midwest Market Reports Multifamily

National Investors Begin to Take Interest in Detroit Market

by Kristin Harlow February 7, 2019

In 2018, the Detroit real estate market had a banner year for transactions, new developments and big headlines. Chief among these was Ford Motor Co.’s acquisition of the vacant Michigan Central Station, a major media event that attracted attention from all over the world. Other notable news stories predominantly revolved around Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and his Bedrock Real Estate Services. In 2018 alone, Bedrock delivered the 129-key Shinola Hotel, began construction on the 847,000-square-foot Monroe Blocks and laid the foundation for the 912-foot tall Hudson’s tower. The combined costs of these projects exceed $2 billion. From a brokerage standpoint, it also was a successful year. Q10|Lutz Financial Services, a Birmingham-based commercial mortgage banking firm, had its best year on record. Similarly, Farmington Hills-based Friedman Real Estate’s investment sales division had transaction volume of a half-billion dollars, according to the firm’s manager of opportunities, Jared Friedman. Some highlights and market insights into the Great Lakes State’s commercial real estate market are below. Multifamily redevelopment Downtown Detroit has received most of the notable press this cycle, in particular for the flock of millennials and young professionals who up-ended trends and brought their skinny jeans and electric scooter habits to …

February 7, 2019

Industrial Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Missouri

Will a Tight Labor Market Limit St. Louis Industrial Growth?

by Kristin Harlow January 31, 2019

The St. Louis industrial market is in the middle of a significant construction boom. Total square footage under construction is at a record-high 6.3 million square feet, with 2.8 million square feet of activity completed in 2018. The last two years have experienced historically high levels of overall net absorption with 4 million square feet in 2017 and 5.6 million square feet in 2016. These absorption levels are significantly higher than pre-recession market numbers. The expected 3 million square feet of positive absorption in 2018 is 1 million square feet higher than what had ever been recorded prior to 2014. A significant portion of this absorption is due to several large transactions in newly constructed, and often tax-abated, parks. Whether or not this level of construction and sizable deals is sustainable remains to be determined, but many trends within the economy indicate that this can continue. The vacancy rate for the St. Louis industrial market dropped to 6.21 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the lowest rate since 2006. This drop in available space bumped average direct asking rates up to $4.58 per square foot, the highest level since before the recession. Earth City and North …

January 31, 2019

Kansas Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Mixed-Use

Mixed-Use Makes its Mark on Kansas City Neighborhoods

by Kristin Harlow January 24, 2019

Many of us remember a time when a great new job was measured primarily by the paycheck and the size of the office. How times have changed. And nothing illustrates that better than the favor of mixed-use developments. As the workforce demographic has evolved, so have the amenities that attract top talent. Smart companies know that creating an appealing environment for the best candidates means access to food options, walking distance to shopping and retail choices, and close proximity to housing. Millennials are a big part (but not the only part) of this changing trend, especially as older millennials assume decision-making roles. But employers in general are learning that it makes sense to cater to their workforce by creating a more attractive work environment. From malls to millennials The landscape of American living and working has transformed over the decades. Up until the mid-20th century, mixed-use was everywhere, as many shop owners and employees lived in homes behind their businesses or apartments above their shops. With the rapid growth of the federal interstate system and growing popularity of single-use zoning regulations, however, commercial and residential spaces were largely separated. Not surprisingly, this combination gave rise to the golden age of …

January 24, 2019

Industrial Kansas Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports

Johnson County, Kansas: A Midwest Hub for Industry and Innovation

by Kristin Harlow January 17, 2019

Once referred to by developers as a “well-kept secret,” the Kansas City metro area is quickly developing a global reputation for skilled workforce, strong infrastructure, affordable housing and competitive overhead costs like transportation and utilities. “Kansas City is a region rising. We are dispelling the notion that Kansas City is a well-kept secret,” says Tim Cowden, president and CEO of Kansas City Area Development Council. “There is growing recognition among site locators and corporate executives that the Kansas City region is an excellent option for any number of business types, including financial services, technology centers, animal health, e-commerce or industrial.” I-35 corridor As one of the most populous counties in the metro area, Johnson County, Kansas, appeals particularly to business and industry seeking to locate outside the downtown Kansas City core. The county has added an average of 6,500 residents each year for the past decade, and private development is keeping pace. Residential and retail projects dot the I-35 corridor northeast of Olathe, Kansas, the Johnson County seat. Southwest Johnson County, meanwhile, has become an industrial heavyweight with two parks located just off the interstate. “Johnson County has a formula for success with the quality of the workforce, infrastructure that’s …

January 17, 2019

Kansas Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

Office Sharing Is on the Rise in Overland Park, Kansas

by Kristin Harlow January 10, 2019

For those of you not familiar with Overland Park, Kansas, and its progressive office market, below are a few key points to help illustrate the relative size and economic strength of one of Kansas City’s most dynamic suburbs. • Incorporated in 1960, Overland Park is the second-most populous city in Kansas. • As of 2017, the unemployment rate was 3.1 percent. • It contains 17 percent +/- of metro Kansas City’s total office inventory. • $69,888 per capita income in 2017 • AAA bond rating status from the nation’s top three bond rating agencies, received by only a small handful of municipalities The Overland Park office market has led the metro in new office deliveries, occupancy and rent growth for much of the past two decades. It is the headquarters location of choice for a host of large corporations, such as Sprint, AMC Theaters, Black and Veatch, Waddell & Reed and YRC, to name a few. Access to a highly educated workforce, affordable housing, top-rated public schools and healthcare is a sampling of the reasons companies are attracted to the area. However, large corporations are not the only companies interested in locating here. Overland Park has a deep and …

January 10, 2019

Industrial Market Reports Michigan Midwest Midwest Market Reports

Strong Manufacturing Industry Boosts Grand Rapids Industrial Market

by Kristin Harlow December 6, 2018

Last month I attended the NAI Global convention in Austin, Texas, and had the opportunity to talk with industrial real estate brokers from around the country. One thing was clear: there are many markets across the country that are facing the same dilemma as we are in West Michigan. The supply of vacant industrial buildings is at an all-time low, and construction costs are rising rapidly. Booming economy The manufacturing industry is extremely strong in West Michigan. Historically known for the automotive and furniture sectors, West Michigan has developed a strong presence in the medical device manufacturing, food processing and aerospace sectors. This diversity is a good indicator of stability for the West Michigan manufacturing sector for the foreseeable future. The strength of the economy has encouraged many companies to expand operations and has attracted numerous out-of-market companies to West Michigan. Low inventory The industrial vacancy rate in the greater Grand Rapids market is currently 1.6 percent, which is historically low. In order to provide some context, in 2012 the vacancy rate was 7.2 percent. Typically, when the vacancy rate is this low, it is a clear indicator that inventory is too low, and the construction of new buildings …

December 6, 2018

Market Reports Michigan Midwest Midwest Market Reports Retail

Detroit’s Emerging Neighborhoods Create Retail Opportunities

by Kristin Harlow November 29, 2018

Today, Detroit looks starkly different than a decade ago. The city was hit hard by the Great Recession, but shortly thereafter, businesses started moving their operations into the downtown corridor. Businessman Dan Gilbert moved Quicken Loans into its downtown headquarters in August 2010, bringing approximately 1,700 employees with him. Today, Quicken’s footprint has expanded to 17,000 employees working downtown. Other companies followed, such as when we moved our headquarters downtown in 2012. As the city has regained its footing, retail has helped bring people into the downtown corridor, both from around the city and from out of the suburbs. To date, Woodward Avenue and Capitol Park have been the two main hubs of retail activity in downtown Detroit, with once-vacant buildings housing national brands and unique entrepreneurs. As these two neighborhoods become more populated, retailers are starting to look for other neighborhoods in Detroit with potential to be redeveloped into standout retail options. This begs the question: can other neighborhoods in Detroit flourish and support retail, beyond the central business district? As Detroit’s renaissance expands to other neighborhoods throughout the city, we expect there to be more opportunities ahead. Any incoming retailers and developers should consider what categories may be …

November 29, 2018

Healthcare Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Wisconsin

How Healthcare Adds Value to Mixed-Use Developments in Milwaukee and Beyond

by Kristin Harlow November 15, 2018

When it comes to location identification for development, you have to think creatively. In a highly competitive market like Milwaukee, mixed-use projects offer a great opportunity to showcase creativity, take advantage of complementary uses and drive tremendous value for clients and investors. The success of a mixed-use project lies in location. A high-profile location will help attract businesses, which then helps build traffic. Ideally, you want to think outside the box to generate repeat visits with businesses that will help sustain that traffic. An innovative mix of retail, restaurant, hospitality, office and even healthcare can greatly enhance a development. Mixed-use retail developments create new opportunities for healthcare projects. Health systems and physician practices are choosing to prioritize locations they may not have previously considered. There’s been a significant expansion of and increased focus on the outpatient ambulatory environment. The trend of developing specialty outpatient facilities, ambulatory surgery centers and micro-hospitals continues to gain momentum and allows for expansion to remain competitive while maintaining efficiency. An outpatient facility brings traffic. Finding a high-visibility location where customers are already engaging increases the convenience factor. Built-in traffic drivers like restaurants and retail help with trip assurance. For example, after wrapping up a clinic …

November 15, 2018

Indiana Market Reports Midwest Midwest Market Reports Office

Don’t Nap on Naptown: Indianapolis Office Market Is Actively Transforming

by Kristin Harlow November 8, 2018

You would be hard pressed to find another city more excited about transformation than Indianapolis right now. Previously known as “Naptown” by outsiders due to the sleepy feel the city exuded, those days are long gone. Indy has experienced incredible transformative activity in the past decade, and that extends to the commercial real estate office sector. For the 18th consecutive quarter, this sector has experienced positive net occupancy gains, and 14 of those quarters have fallen below the 10-year average vacancy rate of 18 percent. Average asking rental rates have experienced healthy growth, with five-year rental rate growth at nearly 14.3 percent. Changing ownership According to colleague Bennett Williams, director, the office landscape is really about change right now. “Long-term Indianapolis owners, such as Duke Realty, historically have developed and held their assets, but now that they are selling off their product, national and international firms are entering the market,” he says. “These new firms have been pushing all facets of the deal to maximize the return for their investors.” Within the past five years, Indy has experienced many ownership changes of large office assets both in the suburban markets and the central business district (CBD). Cushman and Wakefield research …

November 8, 2018

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