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 …
