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

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 …

July 11, 2019Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Office

For Detroit’s Office Market, Motown Is Growth Town

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 …

February 14, 2019Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Office

National Investors Begin to Take Interest in Detroit Market

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 …

February 7, 2019Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Multifamily

Strong Manufacturing Industry Boosts Grand Rapids Industrial Market

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 …

December 6, 2018Industrial, Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports

Detroit’s Emerging Neighborhoods Create Retail Opportunities

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 …

November 29, 2018Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Retail

The Hunt for Yield Returns to Detroit and Its Suburbs

In 2008, the credit crisis had gripped the world and in particular, the Midwest. Lenders, whether CMBS or life insurance companies, had put large “X’s” through Michigan on their maps. And Detroit? South of 8 Mile, you couldn’t get a deal done. Enter entrepreneur businessman Dan Gilbert. Inspired by an intern spurning his then Livonia-based Quicken Loans for a more urban, walkable environment in Chicago, Gilbert made the bold decision to move his entire operation to downtown …

July 12, 2018Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Multifamily, Office

Positive Economic, Demographic Trends Fuel Detroit’s Apartment Rental Market

Throughout metro Detroit, employment and population gains are bolstering apartment demand. Following the creation of 40,200 jobs one year ago, employers in the metro area added 22,200 people to payrolls during the past four quarters. The hiring brought the unemployment rate to 4.5 percent in March, down 10 basis points year over year. The tighter rate may make it more difficult for some employers to find qualified workers to fill openings. During the past 12 months, the hospitality sector …

July 12, 2018Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Multifamily

Detroit Office Market Development Quickly Accelerates

The most exciting story in Michigan’s overall recovery from the Great Recession has been the revitalization of downtown Detroit. For locals and out-of-towners, Detroit’s development boom is surprising, exciting, refreshing, and at times, hard to believe. This real estate cycle may go down as the most important and consequential in 50 years. Indeed, the numbers and the anecdotal evidence demonstrate that we are not just witnessing a hot market — we are witnessing a once-in-a-generation …

July 5, 2018Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Office

In Detroit, the Retail Market Continues Upward Trajectory on Several Fronts

Detroit’s economy is reinventing itself and slowly gaining its footing after the Great Recession and the city’s bankruptcy. Low interest rates supported record auto sales in 2016 and another strong showing last year, adding some stability to the metro area’s bellwether industry. [caption id="attachment_202252" align="alignright" width="100"] Ashish Vakhariya, Marcus & Millichap[/caption] A rejuvenated downtown and new, growing industries are invigorating the retail market. The …

May 17, 2018Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Retail

Investors Take Notice of Office Rebound in Detroit’s CBD and Suburbs

Metro Detroit’s office recovery continues to steadily march forward. Local and national commercial real estate investors are showing a renewed appetite for buying and renovating existing buildings, and even developing new product. [caption id="attachment_202247" align="alignright" width="100"] Bill Harvey, Transwestern[/caption] The City of Detroit has experienced the quickest recovery, going from near stagnant activity with a vacancy rate of 21.5 percent to a single-digit vacancy of 8 …

May 10, 2018Market Reports, Michigan, Midwest, Midwest Market Reports, Office