Texas Market Reports

Healthcare Hits Speed Bumps in Houston as Demand Remains Strong

by Taylor Williams June 30, 2017

The Houston healthcare sector has gotten off to a slow start in 2017. Financial concerns are impacting several healthcare systems as they adapt to a changing marketplace. Industry challenges such as increasing technology costs, as well as changes in payer mixes and reimbursement rates, have impacted organizations’ operating models as a whole. While the majority of organizations have effectively adjusted or are adapting to the change, companies such as CHI St. Luke’s Health, Adeptus Health Inc. and Foundation Healthcare have not fared as well, resulting in a sluggish start to the year. In late March, CHI St. Luke’s announced another round of layoffs, stating that it would eliminate more than 459 jobs and an additional 161 vacant positions statewide. This is the fourth round of layoffs CHI has announced over the previous two years as the company continues to struggle with lower patient volumes, reduced reimbursement via Medicaid and Medicare, and increased technology-related operating costs. Adeptus Health, a freestanding emergency room operator with more than 29 Houston-area locations, appears to be headed for bankruptcy, having announced in March that it would be hiring a restructuring chief. Adeptus has grown rapidly over the past several years, initially opening facilities that lacked …

June 30, 2017

Market Reports Retail Texas Texas Market Reports

New Retail Concepts Abound in Expanding Dallas-Fort Worth Market

by Taylor Williams June 23, 2017

It’s no secret retail vacancies in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area are at all-time lows. Vacancy rates at the end of first quarter 2017 were 4.6 percent, down from 5.5 percent a year ago, according to CoStar. More tenants are actively looking for the right spaces for their businesses so the retail sector is not overbuilt. Junior anchor tenants have “right-sized” requirements, thus decreasing their space needs. For example, Office Depot is downsizing its typical footprint from 24,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. Grocery stores that have gone dark have been backfilled with fitness gyms, other grocers or entertainment-type tenants. In addition, market rents jumped markedly from $30 per square foot plus NNNs to $35 to $40 per square foot plus NNNs in the high demand spaces. In Class A retail environments such as the Frisco Mile, rates are $50 to $65 per square foot plus NNNs. Even in the new 99 Ranch Market space in Frisco, rents are $50 per square foot plus NNNs and the tenants are not blinking. Requests for higher finish-outs are continuing, but tenants are willing to pay these higher rents in order to use the landlords’ money for their improvements. Job and Housing …

June 23, 2017

Market Reports Office Texas Texas Market Reports

Dallas Office Market Opens 2017 With Accelerated Leasing, Absorption

by Taylor Williams June 16, 2017

Much like the overall U.S. economy, the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) office market is statistically trending upward and will experience continued growth in 2017 as indicated by first quarter numbers. Overall, the marketplace is experiencing sustained growth thanks to small- to medium-sized businesses expanding at a rapid rate, investors selectively chasing higher yields and market cores shifting to suburban areas. According to Stream’s first quarter 2017 data, the market experienced cautious growth in the latter half of 2016, with stagnations that are common during election years. Yet the report indicates 2017’s outlook is very promising. With 75 percent of the metro’s office markets posting a decrease in vacancy, we have much to look forward to over the remainder of the year. Only submarkets with heavy volumes of speculative office construction have not seen as much in the way of decreasing vacancies. Kicking off with a bang, the Dallas office market saw leasing activity ramp up dramatically to begin 2017. With quarter one in the books, we can project continued job growth, a robust local economy and heavy deal activity. Noteworthy Dallas Developments Similar to 2016, buildings that primarily focus on improving parking availability and walkable retail options will have the best …

June 16, 2017

Industrial Market Reports Texas Texas Market Reports

Strong Leasing Activity Drives Dallas Industrial Market

by Taylor Williams June 9, 2017

A common baseball analogy that explains where we are in the real estate cycle is “What inning are we in?” Regardless of the inning, in North Texas we’re just hoping it’s the first game of a doubleheader! The first quarter of 2017 was another respectable one for leasing activity in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) industrial market. Total absorption for all properties was 5.5 million square feet, with 6 percent vacancy across 786.5 million square feet of industrial space. New supply totaled 6.6 million square feet for the first quarter. Just over 8 million square feet of new construction is underway in DFW, with 15 million square feet designated “big box,” or more than 200,000 square feet. Big box experienced absorption of 4.6 million square feet in the first quarter, despite having only 3.8 million square feet of new supply. The metroplex has been the beneficiary of some very large lease signings. Amazon alone is responsible for multiple leases totaling several million square feet. UPS recently leased a 1 million-square-foot property in Arlington, and Ashley Furniture announced the purchase of 358 acres in Mesquite for an 850,000-square-foot design/build distribution facility. In addition, a 1.4 million–square-foot, build-to-suit lease by a well-known real …

June 9, 2017

Market Reports Multifamily Texas Texas Market Reports

Fort Worth Multifamily Market: Boom Town for the Foreseeable Future

by Taylor Williams June 2, 2017

To many people, Dallas and Fort Worth are one and the same. But to local Texans, they are two distinctly different cities in which to work, live and play. And to investors, the fundamental strategies are drastically different. Many consider Fort Worth to be the region’s cultural center and the “cooler” place to live. In terms of job growth, both cities are booming and are magnets for young, talented professionals. With this job growth comes a burgeoning multifamily market with future potential that is sure to remain strong. Here’s why. Job growth in the region continues to outpace the national average by more than 50 percent, and the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area is ranked among the highest-growth metro territories in the country. More than 100,000 jobs have been added over the past year, thanks in large part to major corporate relocations and expansions. Toyota and Liberty Mutual are examples of two major companies committed to growth in the local market. In addition, over the next five years, the demographic of 20- to 34-year-olds is projected to increase by close to 100,000 people – one of fastest rates in the country. These millennials typically prefer to rent and are less likely …

June 2, 2017

Market Reports Retail Texas Texas Market Reports

Torrid Job, Population Growth to Fuel Fort Worth Retail in 2017

by Taylor Williams May 26, 2017

In DFW, retail real estate will experience its eighth consecutive year of performance gains as upward economic momentum strengthens consumption and bolsters the local retail sector. The national economy is operating at near full employment and the rate of job creation will start to slow, bringing two million new job opportunities to fruition in 2017. At least 100,000 of these jobs will be filled in DFW and these dynamics will affect retail property by driving up wage growth, increase rental rates and promote higher retail spending.” As a result, national retail sales are expected to increase 4 percent this year. In Fort Worth specifically, retail trade is one of largest employment sectors and accounts for more than 11 percent of all jobs. Dallas-Fort Worth is expected to see a fourth consecutive year of employers adding over 100,000 jobs as a number of large companies like Toyota, Liberty Mutual and many others expand their footprints in the metro. Advance PCS, Dean Foods, ExxonMobil, Kimberly-Clark, Neiman Marcus, Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments are among the 21 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the area. The relocation and expansion of these businesses will draw new residents to the area. Approximately 88,000 individuals are slated …

May 26, 2017

Market Reports Office Texas Texas Market Reports

Fort Worth Office Market Poised for Steady Growth in 2017

by Taylor Williams May 19, 2017

Despite waves of new development and rebounding oil prices, the Fort Worth office market hasn’t changed. It reflects the city’s lifestyle and attitude — stable and patient — and optimistic as to what the future holds. As businesses come and go and vacancy rates fluctuate, the Fort Worth office market views the long-term potential of its investments and confidently forges ahead. Go West Much of the new development we are seeing is southwest of downtown. The West Southwest submarket accounts for 62 percent of the construction begun or underway in 2016, with The Offices at Clearfork accounts for 330,000 of the 734,000 square feet built after 2016. The new vision for the master-planned, 270-acre Clearfork development includes 2,500 apartment units, two million square feet of office space, and 1.2 million square feet of retail space anchored by Nieman Marcus. Fort Worth’s CBD is adding its first new building since Sundance Square, which was built in 2014. The property at 640 Taylor St. will add 280,000 square feet and will be 51.5 percent leased upon completion. Its owner, Jetta Operating Co. Inc., and namesake, Frost National Bank, will occupy 140,000 square feet. Effects of Westward Migration The Offices at Clearfork and …

May 19, 2017

Industrial Market Reports Texas Texas Market Reports

Big-Footprint Developments Lead the Way in Fort Worth Industrial Market

by Taylor Williams May 5, 2017

When Ross Perot Jr. broke ground on the world’s first industrial airport in north Fort Worth in 1988, even he didn’t realize what a big deal it would become. Named “Alliance” in recognition of the collaboration between Perot’s Hillwood, the city of Fort Worth and the Federal Aviation Administration, the project kicked off a development spree that now spans 18,000 acres. With the airport, a major intermodal yard, two Class I rail lines and a number of interconnecting highways, Alliance has had a profound impact on establishing the industrial real estate market in Fort Worth’s northern sector. The development is still going strong, but other firms such as Trammell Crow Co., IDI and Stream Realty Partners have joined the party with surrounding projects that build on Hillwood’s foundation. The latter recently completed work on a new 538,000-square-foot Northlake headquarters for Farmer Brothers Coffee, which includes a 125,000-square-foot roasting plant and 258,000-square-foot distribution center. Industrial development remains brisk in other areas of Fort Worth, too, most notably in Railhead Industrial Park, Mercantile Center and Carter Industrial Park, where Hunt Southwest is underway with a 657,000-square-foot spec project. This project follows a 301,500-square-foot facility the developer opened at the Riverbend West development …

May 5, 2017

Market Reports Texas Market Reports

Massive New Projects, National Retailers Spur Development Explosion In El Paso

by Jeff Shaw April 14, 2017

El Paso in 2017 is a story of growth. Sales tax rebates increased over 10 percent in 2016 — second among the 20 largest cities in Texas. Since 2000, the El Paso-area population has increased by more than 27 percent, and as the longtime adage goes, “retail follows rooftops.” Long under the radar of national concepts, El Paso’s retail sector is changing. Major retail developments in El Paso are gaining national attention. One of the catalysts contributing to this interest is the success of the Fountains at Farah development, a 600,000-square-foot retail center with shops, restaurants and a live music amphitheater. The Fountains has attracted concepts such as Nordstrom Rack, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Kate Spade, West Elm, Grimald’s, Chuy’s, Kona Grill and Bricktown Tap House & Kitchen, to name a few. The ability of this large-scale center to attract popular national and super-regional concepts that are “new to El Paso” has provided an impetus for other developers to pursue similar developments. Add to the mix the low interest rate environment and a growing population with a stable economy, and you have a development boom. Retail takes city by storm On the west side of the city, major developments include …

April 14, 2017

Hospitality Market Reports Texas Texas Market Reports

San Antonio: Hospitality on the Rise

by Haisten Willis November 18, 2016

San Antonio evokes many positive images: the River Walk, the Alamo, Fiesta, the Mission Trail, Texas Hill Country and more. All of these images have one thing in common: hospitality. San Antonio is known for its warmth and hospitality. It is a fun place to visit for the many conventioneers and tourists that are attracted to the city year after year. It is also a good place to do business and a great place to live. Strength of the Market San Antonio boasts a strong economy. Overall employment grew at 3.5 percent over the past year, including an above-average growth of 3.2 percent for hospitality, retail and healthcare employment. Unemployment declined to 3.6 percent in July 2016, with strong increases in the labor force, according to Moody’s Analytics. Tourism and convention activity drive the economy, strengthened by a large military and cybersecurity presence. Manufacturing, healthcare and energy round out San Antonio’s strong, stable economy. The San Antonio lodging industry has also maintained a strong and steady pattern. While other Texas markets are adding a lot of new supply, San Antonio has kept the number of new hotel rooms to a minimum, adding only about 1,000 rooms over the past five …

November 18, 2016

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