Automotive Users Put Birmingham’s Industrial Market in the Fast Lane

When comparing Birmingham’s industrial market to other major cities in the Southeast, “The Tortoise and the Hare” comes to mind. Birmingham has had slow and steady progress — not to say that our sister cities have periods of laziness and napping. Birmingham’s current pace of activity is more the norm and thankfully the trends remain positive with 2016’s transaction numbers actually tilting in the direction of a “hare-like” pace.Occupancy rates for the 15 …

June 19, 2017Alabama, Industrial, Market Reports, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Consistency, Young Talent Lead to High Expectations for Birmingham Office Market

For the first time in quite a while, the Birmingham office market has experienced a rejuvenation and resurgence, catered around growth, a diversification of the tenant base and an effort to attract and retain bright young minds. Like many markets nationally, the city’s focus on urban renewal has made downtown Birmingham an attractive place to live, work and play, and thus will help companies attract talent to the market.Birmingham has entered a new era of industry and residential growth …

June 12, 2017Alabama, Market Reports, Office, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Retail Activity Leads the Way in Birmingham’s Revitalization

The Birmingham retail market had an explosive 2016. Several large projects were announced or completed, while traditional indicators of market health also showed promising signs of growth. TopGolf will soon be coming to the Uptown District, while Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team, continues to attract surrounding development.Breweries remain a mainstay in Birmingham’s social scene, and they have demonstrated a capability to revive entire …

May 30, 2017Alabama, Market Reports, Retail, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Multifamily Investors, Developers Expose Montgomery as a Diamond in the Rough

Commonly referred to as the River Region, Montgomery is the second largest city in Alabama and the state capital. The Montgomery metropolitan area consists of Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes and Montgomery counties.With a population approaching 374,000, the River Region’s diverse economy, skilled workforce, business-friendly climate and Southern charm continue to attract new residents and commercial development. Key industries in the Montgomery metro area include automotive, manufacturing, …

December 19, 2016Alabama, Market Reports, Multifamily, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

New Publix, Apartment Projects in Downtown Birmingham Spur on Retail Growth

The real estate market in downtown Birmingham has followed the “chicken and egg” trend. Over the last few years, over a dozen multifamily projects have been announced, but the major hurdle is proving the demand as people moving downtown have wanted a downtown grocer. While some multifamily developers decided to proceed with construction, others waited on the sidelines hoping a grocer would announce a new downtown location. On the other hand, major grocers put off locating in downtown …

July 4, 2016Alabama, Market Reports, Retail, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Sizable Transactions Set the Tone for Birmingham’s Office Market

Pick up any Birmingham newspaper and the headlines will likely reveal plans for a historic building renovation, a new mixed-use development or a prominent Birmingham company expanding into the Central Business District (CBD). Birmingham has enjoyed a surge of development over the last few years, with nationally recognized projects such as Railroad Park and Regions Field, the renovations of prominent downtown buildings and the emergence of new districts throughout the city.With all the …

June 27, 2016Alabama, Market Reports, Office, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Birmingham’s Apartment Market Feeds Off Downtown’s Renaissance

Birmingham’s renaissance has been underway for several years now, but it has taken some time for the rest of the world to find out. This year they started paying attention.The opening of Railroad Park, Regions Field, the Iron City event venue and now the recently restored Lyric Theatre have made it clear that there are intriguing things going on in downtown Birmingham. Lonely Planet, the respected travel information source, included Birmingham in its “2016 Best in the U.S.” list, …

June 20, 2016Alabama, Market Reports, Multifamily, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Birmingham’s Retail Market Bolstered by New Grocers, Mixed-Use Projects

[caption id="attachment_131315" align="alignright" width="100"] Rodney Barstein, Retail Specialists LLC[/caption][caption id="attachment_131316" align="alignright" width="100"] Robert Jolly, Retail Specialists LLC[/caption]Birmingham’s retail market remained steady in 2014, with approximately 10 percent of the total 24 million square feet available for lease. Birmingham is tracking above national averages relative to new ground-up and rehab projects that are announced or underway. Downward …

May 11, 2015Alabama, Market Reports, Retail, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Birmingham’s Newest Multifamily Product Will Act as a Litmus Test for the Market

[caption id="attachment_130784" align="alignright" width="100"] Chad Thomas Hagwood, Capital One Multifamily Finance[/caption]Spring has come to Birmingham, and with it the sound of multifamily developers breaking ground. Their success in finding tenants for these properties — numbering more than 1,000 units — will be a litmus test for the future of the Birmingham market. Right now, the market activity leads one to be cautiously optimistic.Work on the $66 million renovation of the …

May 4, 2015Alabama, Market Reports, Multifamily, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports

Downtown Birmingham Approaching Critical Mass for its Revival

When The New York Times has something positive to say about Birmingham, you know something really good is in the works — and that’s exactly what happened last August. The paper ran an article entitled “A Return to Downtown Birmingham” that highlighted Railroad Park, Regions Field, the new Westin Hotel and the renovation of Lyric Theatre. It quoted David Fleming, CEO of REV Birmingham, calling attention to the public enthusiasm that’s driving the revitalization. …

August 11, 2014Alabama, Market Reports, Southeast, Southeast Market Reports