As online shopping and a stack of newly delivered boxes by the door have become common in many American households, the behind-the-scenes institutional supports that make these habits possible have transformed the country’s real estate markets. The booming demand for data centers and last-mile staging for e-commerce is driving steady interest in industrial spaces, which shows no sign of waning. Since 2009, the industrial market has experienced 767 percent growth across the United States, surpassing retail to become the third ranked commercial real estate product type by sales volume. This sustained demand is outpacing limited availability, compressing capitalization rates to historic lows. In the metro Washington, D.C., area, there are a number of unique factors that contribute to this trend. High urban property values in the District itself have led to the conversion of a significant percentage of available warehouse space to other uses over the last decade, pushing industrial development into neighboring areas of Northern Virginia and Prince George’s County, Maryland. Many of the sites most easily suited for industrial purposes have already been developed, leaving higher barriers to entry and very few new options. As commercial businesses and government agencies adopt increasingly sophisticated technologies — like cloud computing, …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Whole Foods Market has signed a 40,000-square-foot retail lease to anchor the Hartley apartment building within The Parks at Walter Reed in northwest Washington, D.C. The Parks is a 3.1 million-square-foot mixed-use development from the partnership of Hines, Urban Atlantic and Triden Development. The Hartley will be the third new construction at the site, alongside two currently underway projects: The Brooks condominiums and the Vale apartments, featuring 18,000 square feet of retail. The Hartley features 323 rental units, including 32 affordable units, and 58,000 square feet of retail space. The apartment building will be part of the project’s Town Center, which will include 100,000 square feet of dining, shopping, and entertainment fronting Georgia Avenue. Construction on The Hartley is expected to begin in early 2020 with completion of the project set for early 2022. Torti Gallas + Partners is the architect for The Hartley, with interior design by Hickok Cole Lifestyle and landscape design by Oehme van Sweden. Retail broker CBRE + Streetsense will lease The Parks. The campus already contains a firehouse and schools, as well as housing for seniors and veterans.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. economy generated 266,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate fell 10 basis points to 3.5 percent, matching a 50-year low, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported this morning. The latest figures breezed past expectations. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had forecast a gain of 187,000 new jobs in November and a 3.6 percent unemployment rate. What’s more, the change in total nonfarm payroll employment for September was revised upward by 13,000, and the change for October was revised upward by 28,000. With these revisions, employment gains in September and October combined were 41,000 more than previously reported. The healthy job creation numbers show the resiliency of the U.S. economy in the face of a global slowdown, according to economists. Among the employment highlights for November: Manufacturing employment rose by 54,000, following a decline of 43,000 in the prior month. Within manufacturing, employment in motor vehicles and parts was up by 41,000 in November, reflecting the return of workers who were on strike in October. The healthcare sector added 45,000 jobs, including gains in ambulatory health care services (+34,000) as well as hospitals (+10,000). Employers in healthcare have added 414,000 jobs over …
TYSONS, VA. — A partnership between locally based developer Foulger-Pratt and USAA Real Estate has broken ground on Tysons Central, a 25-story speculative office project located within the Tysons Corner submarket of Northern Virginia. Tysons Central will span 383,628 square feet. Approximately 91 percent of the space will be dedicated to office use, with the remainder for retail and restaurant use. The building will feature 9-foot ceilings and column-free floors that support floor plates ranging in size from 26,000 to 29,000 square feet. Amenities will include a penthouse and fitness center on the top floor, as well as elevated terraces on the upper portion of the building. Gensler designed the project, which will be located just steps away from the Greensboro Metro Station. “As competition for talent intensifies, companies have increasingly selected highly connected and amenitized locations that appeal to an educated urban workforce,” says Cameron Pratt, CEO of Foulger-Pratt. “With only a handful of large blocks available in Tysons, we believe the market will respond strongly to the project’s world-class design, modern efficiencies and unrivaled walkability to transit, local residential and destination retail.” Avison Young has been tapped to lease the building, completion of which is scheduled for 2021. …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newmark Knight Frank (NKF) has arranged the $209.1 million sale of the McPherson Building, a 12-story, 255,968-square-foot office building in downtown Washington, D.C. The property is located at 901 15th St. NW, one block from The White House and The Treasury Building. McPherson Building was 97 percent leased at the time of sale to tenants including Booz Allen Hamilton, New York Life Insurance Co. and law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Forrester Construction recently completed a $30 million renovation to the building’s lobby, fitness center, elevators, common areas and restrooms. James Cassidy and Jud Ryan of NKF represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction. Northwestern Mutual acquired the building.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — BedRock Real Estate Partners LLC and Pacolet Milliken LLC have reopened Ora, a 113-unit multifamily property in Washington, D.C.’s Kalorama neighborhood, following a $20 million renovation. Forrest Perkins designed the unit interiors to feature European-inspired kitchens, quartz countertops, wood flooring, chrome fixtures and stainless-steel appliances. The property offers studio, one- and two-bedroom floor plans ranging from 525 to 800 square feet. Rents start at $2,615 and go up to $4,520 per month. Communal amenities include a rooftop deck, fitness center, pet spa and bicycle storage. Gables Residential is managing the community.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. economy added 128,000 jobs in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), beating expectations by a wide margin. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had forecast an increase of 75,000 jobs. The October jobs report was widely considered to be a surprise to the upside considering that it reflected the 40-day United Auto Workers strike against General Motors that began Sept. 16 and ended Oct. 26. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate nationwide rose 10 basis points to 3.6 percent in October. The employment gains were broad-based. Food services and drinking places added 48,000 jobs in October. The professional and business services sector gained 22,000 jobs and healthcare employment added 15,000 jobs. Over the last 12 months, the healthcare sector has added 402,000 jobs. Conversely, manufacturing employment decreased by 36,000 in October. Within manufacturing, employment in motor vehicles and parts declined by 42,000, reflecting strike activity. The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for August was revised upward by 51,000 from 168,000 to 219,000, and the change for September was revised upward by 44,000 from 136,000 to 180,000. With these revisions by the BLS, employment gains in August and September combined were 95,000 more …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — American consumers plan to boost their holiday spending 4 percent this season on a year-over-year basis, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insight & Analytics. The projection is based on a survey of 7,782 adult consumers. Specifically, shoppers expect to spend an average of $1,047.83 this year, up 4 percent from last year’s total of $1,007.24, the survey findings show. Meanwhile, shoppers who are between the ages of 35 and 44 plan to spend an average of $1,158.63 this holiday season. Consumer spending is grouped into three separate categories: gifts for family, friends and co-workers, at an average $658.55; non-gift holiday items such as candy and food, decorations, greeting cards and flowers at $227.26; and other non-gift purchases that take advantage of the deals and promotions throughout the season at $162.02. “Consumers are in good financial shape and willing to spend a little more on gifts for the special people in their lives this holiday season,” says Matthew Shay, president and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based NRF, the world’s largest retail trade association. Furthermore, 52 percent of shoppers between the ages of 25 and 34 plan to purchase gifts for co-workers, and 82 percent of …
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Services Administration (GSA) exercised its purchase option to buy 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE in Washington D.C.’s Yards/Southeast Federal Center neighborhood for $760 million. The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) fully occupies the 1.9 million-square-foot building. The sale is expected to close in March 2020, 19 months before USDOT’s lease expires, saving $99.8 million in rent costs. The USDOT employs 5,500 workers at the property. Amenities at the property include bike racks, access to the Walking Museum of Transportation, a loading dock and 13-foot ceilings. According to its website, GSA provides workplaces by constructing, managing and preserving government buildings and by leasing and managing commercial real estate.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Community Three has broken ground on a $45 million redevelopment of the historic Grimke School in Washington, D.C., as part of the 9 1/2 Street initiative. Community Three plans for the 133,000-square-foot development to include office space, a new home for the African American Civil War Museum and residential units with ground-floor retail. The first phase, scheduled to deliver in fall 2020, includes renovating the 132-year-old Grimke School to include about 65,000 square feet of office and arts space that will house the 12,000-square-foot museum. Torti Gallas + Partners, the architect for the entire 9 1/2 Street Initiative effort, will move its international headquarters to the location. About 24,000 square feet of office space will be available for lease. The property is located on 9 1/2 Street near Vermont Avenue and U Street, a mile north of downtown D.C. Phase II, scheduled to break ground in 2021-22, will transform the Grimke School’s 1920s-era gymnasium into 40 residential units, 11 of which will be reserved for households earning less than 80 percent of median family income. The entire project is privately financed and Eagle Bank is the primary lender.