Tennessee Archives - REBusinessOnline

Impressive Retail Growth Makes Chattanooga More Than Just a Place to Visit

Taylor Williams — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:01:26 +0000

If you have visited Chattanooga in the past year, it should come as no surprise that you are in fine company. Mayors and Economic Development executives from across the nation have been flocking to the Scenic City. Envious of the Chattanooga success story, they have come to witness firsthand the ongoing transformation that has made Chattanooga one of the most livable, sensational and progressive mid-sized cities in America. The Chattanooga retail market is strong, chiefly due to the overall health and culture of the entire city. River City Co., a longtime successful, private nonprofit led by CEO Kim White, touts itself as the economic development engine for downtown. It reports the cost of living in vibrant downtown Chattanooga is 15.9 percent less than the national average. This has drawn everyone from millennials to retirees to the vibrancy and livability of the city. Tourism in a non-coastal Southern city with fewer than 180,000 residents may seem not even worth pursuing, but Chattanooga hosts more than 3 million annual visitors. Travelers are lured by destinations such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Children’s Discovery Museum and the IMAX. There are also events such as the Ironman; the Head of the Hooch, which is one…

The post Impressive Retail Growth Makes Chattanooga More Than Just a Place to Visit appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Memphis Office Market Grows Its Existing Inventory by Nearly 6 Percent

John Nelson — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 11:30:57 +0000

Memphis ended 2017 with an overall vacancy rate of 14.8 percent, which is up slightly from where the year started at 14.5 percent — the highest level in three years. As the saying goes, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and this especially applies to the Memphis office market. In 2017, 600,000 square feet of office space was absorbed. Developers also started 2017 with more than 1.2 million square feet of new office space in the pipeline, with 800,000 square feet delivered last year and the other 400,000 square feet expected to be delivered by the end of the first quarter this year. So within just six months, nearly 6 percent of Memphis’ total office market size was added to the overall available space. That is more new product being delivered than the city has seen in over a decade. Of this 1.2 million square feet, nearly 80 percent will come from adaptive reuse projects, where previously non-functioning properties located in non-core submarkets have undergone significant repurposing. The Sears Crosstown building was erected in 1927 as a 1.5 million-square-foot, mail-order processing warehouse and Sears retail store. The project was the largest building in Memphis at the time of its…

The post Memphis Office Market Grows Its Existing Inventory by Nearly 6 Percent appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Stability Will Be Defining Characteristic of Memphis Multifamily Market in 2018

John Nelson — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 11:30:15 +0000

Consistency is key, and that’s exactly why investors find Memphis more attractive than ever: the Grind City’s financial and commercial real estate stability. The area has grown into a hub for both the distribution and transportation industries. As the largest economic driver in the state, Memphis International Airport alone injects over $20 billion a year into the region’s economy. Thanks in large part to FedEx, the airport has become the second-busiest cargo airport in the world. FedEx’s presence creates a secondary demand from all retailers as they want to have a large distribution presence in the market. Going High-Tech Marketable growth in the Memphis economy extends beyond the distribution and transportation industries. Sizable expansions at University of Tennessee’s Medical School, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Methodist University Hospital and LeBonehur Children’s Medical Center, as well as the migration of medical device manufacturers such as Smith & Nephew and Medtronic, show how Memphis is not only the Home of the Blues and global shipping, but also a high-tech healthcare hub for the Mid-South region. All this growth has helped propel Memphis’ millennial population, especially 20- to 34-year-olds who make up a high percentage of the city’s workforce. Last year, Memphis marked…

The post Stability Will Be Defining Characteristic of Memphis Multifamily Market in 2018 appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Memphis Industrial Market Closes Out 2017 With Strong Wave of Absorption

John Nelson — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 11:30:59 +0000

The positive momentum for the Memphis industrial market continues. For the previous three years, the market has had positive absorption every quarter. This momentum continued through 2017, where we saw an annual net gain of 6.6 million square feet of positive absorption. Memphis has not seen this type of multi-year, record-breaking performance since the early 2000s. Achieving year-over-year absorption volume at this level proves Memphis can continue to attract both new developers and investors. Given ideal geographical positioning, Memphis is known as America’s Distribution Center, boasting unparalleled expertise in distribution and logistics. The Memphis International Airport houses the second-busiest cargo airport in the world. Companies recognize that the Memphis MSA offers reliable, cost-effective distribution, with the ability to reach 70 percent of the U.S. population within 24 hours. Moreover, Memphis is one of only three cities with five Class I Rail Systems, and has the fifth-largest inland port, as well as 10 major trucking companies utilizing Interstates 40 and 55. It’s no wonder that FedEx World Hub makes Memphis its home, and UPS chose it to house a major hub. Southeast Submarket The Memphis market continues to see nearly all of its growth to the southeast into Fayette County, Tennessee,…

The post Memphis Industrial Market Closes Out 2017 With Strong Wave of Absorption appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Nashville’s Urban Retail Development Boom Driven by Job, Population Growth

John Nelson — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 11:30:39 +0000

In its 2018 Emerging Trends in Real Estate survey, Urban Land Institute (ULI) named Nashville the No. 9 U.S. market to watch. Factors contributing to Nashville’s appearance as a top 10 market in ULI’s report for the past three years include a re-emergent downtown, strong population growth, market attractiveness to millennials and a low cost of living. These factors — along with game-changing urban retail developments and the creativity of its culinary scene — have elevated Nashville’s retail market over the last few years. As in its 2015 and 2016 reports, ULI once again refers to Nashville as an “18-hour city.” A defining element of an 18-hour city is a vibrant urban core with entertainment and dining attractions bustling between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m., well beyond the traditional business hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Nashville is a hotspot for retail development, as the area continues to draw record-breaking numbers of crowds from tourists and locals alike to events, restaurants and conventions. From the Predators’ historic run in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals to the 46th annual CMA Music Festival that brought $57.7 million in direct visitor spending to the nightly concerts at Ryman Auditorium, downtown is…

The post Nashville’s Urban Retail Development Boom Driven by Job, Population Growth appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Nashville’s Hottest Office Sector is Tight Race Between Urban Core, Suburbs

John Nelson — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 11:30:55 +0000

Nashville’s office market, frequently heralded as up and coming, continues to see a great deal of interest from both local and outside investors, and the region’s rapid population growth and low vacancy rates continue to sustain a construction boom. Even with a high influx of new projects highlighting local news, the Nashville area still maintains the lowest vacancy rates of any market in the United States, according to CoStar. Compared to the rest of the country, Nashville has the second highest employment growth and the highest office employment growth, combined with one of the lowest unemployment rates of any major metro area. These encouraging demographics lead most to believe that Nashville will continue its growth rate, especially in the urban core. Since the 1990s the Nashville market followed national trends, seeing most office market growth creep from the central business district (CBD) to the suburban submarkets. After the Great Recession began to subside, which around here was in 2011, an optimistic focus was placed on the growth of the CBD. This local storyline was buttressed by a national narrative of a return to urbanism. This growth, which really began its current unprecedented run late in 2011 and early 2012, is…

The post Nashville’s Hottest Office Sector is Tight Race Between Urban Core, Suburbs appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Is Nashville’s Multifamily Market Overbuilt? Maybe, But Not for Long

John Nelson — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:30:13 +0000

Nashville has set several notable records in recent years for job growth, rent growth, population growth, tourism and tax revenue, among others. But for the multifamily industry, the most notable benchmarks lately have been related to the amount of inventory that has been delivered. However, the more interesting and less obvious data point is the record level of renter demand that Nashville is currently experiencing. As of third-quarter 2017, Nashville led the country in relative net absorption, with 4.9 percent of the existing inventory being absorbed. This equates to approximately 6,300 units. This demand is fueled by incredibly resilient job creation, as Nashville has increased its employed labor force by 20 percent over the last five years — more than 160,000 jobs. With that as the backdrop, the big question on everyone’s mind is the impact of new supply. In short, yes, there are pockets of oversupply, with approximately 8,500 units delivered in 2017 compared with net renter demand of roughly 6,300. However, with urban deliveries projected to drop off 40 percent in 2018, and 80 percent in 2019, and no slowdown in renter demand on the horizon, the current imbalance is likely to correct itself in relatively short order.…

The post Is Nashville’s Multifamily Market Overbuilt? Maybe, But Not for Long appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Nashville’s Growing Industrial Pipeline Limits Available Sites, Labor

John Nelson — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 12:30:30 +0000

Everyone is familiar with the expression “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” However, what most people do not know is that the second half of that phrase is, “but they were laying bricks every hour.” Bricklayers in Nashville are busy people these days, accommodating the demand for new commercial development. That’s not just a metaphor for the developers of record — the utility contractors, dirt movers, pavers, framers and roofers are all busy trying to keep up with the constant stream of construction. With record levels of construction comes the high demand for a skilled workforce to complete the necessary work. We constantly hear that approximately 30,000 people are moving to Nashville per year. However, a large amount of this new workforce via this in-migration are millennials looking to work in the IT or healthcare fields rather than skilled labor. If you were to ask any “bricklayer” what concerns them the most, almost assuredly the recruitment and retention of qualified labor will be at the forefront of the conversation. With the younger generation less likely to enter the blue collar workforce, why in 2017 did we see 6 million square feet of industrial warehouse space delivered? Make no mistake, that…

The post Nashville’s Growing Industrial Pipeline Limits Available Sites, Labor appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Memphis Office Market Proves That ‘Slow and Steady Wins the Race’

John Nelson — Mon, 22 May 2017 11:45:45 +0000

Memphis may be known for its industrial market, but there are several interesting stories unfolding in the Memphis office market as well. Investors, both local and national, have found opportunities in an office market that can relate to the phrase, “slow and steady wins the race.” The Memphis office market consists of just over 52 million square feet, with nearly 60 percent of that in the Downtown, East and 385 Corridor submarkets and more than 85 percent of the Class A space located in those same submarkets. The Memphis metro ended 2016 with overall vacancy rates of 10.5 percent. Those rates have remained in the 10.5 to 10.9 percent range for the last two years. Class A vacancy has been on a slow and steady decline, falling from 10.2 percent at the end of 2014 to 7.9 percent at the end of 2016, its lowest level in more than a decade. This has prompted Class B owners to make investments in their properties, like the $7 million capital investment by Clark Tower, located in the East Memphis submarket, to upgrade mechanical systems and common areas. Rates, too, have been relatively steady for the last decade. At $17.07 per square foot…

The post Memphis Office Market Proves That ‘Slow and Steady Wins the Race’ appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Memphis Expects to Bolster Its Stellar Industrial Reputation with Strong 2017

John Nelson — Mon, 15 May 2017 11:00:37 +0000

In 2015, the Memphis industrial sector reached a record-breaking 8.4 million square feet net absorption. Achieving absorption in 2015 at a level that was higher than before the recession would have seemingly set 2016 up for a downturn. However, industrial growth, with Memphis at the epicenter of world distribution, allowed the positive trajectory to continue. The Memphis MSA absorbed approximately 6 million square feet in 2016. Given ideal geographical positioning, Memphis is known as America’s Distribution Center, boasting unparalleled expertise in distribution and logistics. The Memphis International Airport houses the second-busiest cargo airport in the world. Companies recognize that Memphis offers reliable, cost-effective distribution, with the ability to reach 70 percent of the U.S. population within 24 hours. Moreover, Memphis is one of only three cities with five Class I Rail Systems and has the fifth largest inland port, as well as 10 major trucking companies utilizing interstates I-40 and I-55. It’s no wonder that FedEx World Hub makes Memphis its home, and UPS chose it as a major hub. With those constants in place, the most notable recent change is the expansion of the submarkets, and how they compete for the warehouse and distribution business. In the past, when…

The post Memphis Expects to Bolster Its Stellar Industrial Reputation with Strong 2017 appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Restaurants, Grocers, IKEA Headline Positive Retail Activity in Memphis

John Nelson — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:45:00 +0000

If it’s been several years since visiting Memphis, it’s time to come back and see the improvements. The city and suburbs have experienced large amounts of new construction and redevelopments, from the downtown Memphis Pyramid becoming the grandest Bass Pro Shops outside of their headquarters to the new Tanger Outlets in Southaven, Miss., and many more developments in between. The most active retail category continues to be restaurants, followed closely by grocers and service-oriented retailers. New restaurants have leased space across the market, varying from fast-casual options like Pimento’s Kitchen + Market to upscale options like Cheesecake Factory and Char, a steakhouse based in Jackson, Miss. In the grocery sector, Kroger, The Fresh Market and Whole Foods Market expanded their reach by adding new and redeveloped stores. Kroger, with its 125,000-square-foot Marketplace concept, is further solidifying market share and geographic footprint with Marketplace units in Hernando and Arlington and a 100,000-square-foot unit in Germantown. These locations were also joined by new-to-Memphis Sprouts Farmers Market. Trader Joe’s also announced plans to open a new store later this year. One of the most notable new Memphis-area retailers is IKEA, which opened its 271,000-square-foot store along Interstate 40 in late 2016. The store…

The post Restaurants, Grocers, IKEA Headline Positive Retail Activity in Memphis appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Nashville Industrial Market Will Continue to Ride its Hot Hand Through 2017

John Nelson — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 11:30:00 +0000

The Nashville commercial real estate market’s growth is no longer a local secret. In fact, it very well may be one of the most desired areas for investors for an MSA with a population less than 2.5 million people. In case you haven’t heard, read or taken notice, you likely have been living under a rock. Those who call this market “hot” are making an understatement. As the downtown core sees land sites trade in excess of $13 million per acre (and in a few interesting cases eclipse $1,000 per square foot), the multifamily and hospitality markets have moved at a torrid pace. Even office rents have climbed to record highs near $40 per square foot for full service gross rates. Some covering that sector project this number will peak around the $50 per square foot mark due, in part, to the higher land costs driven by the other sectors. Multifamily developers have seized upon this growth by paying record prices for downtown real estate in hopes of capturing the fancy of Millennials as they enter the workforce. Top this off with hotel stays in downtown costing as much as those found on Times Square in Manhattan, some ponder the…

The post Nashville Industrial Market Will Continue to Ride its Hot Hand Through 2017 appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Nashville’s Tight CBD Benefits the Metro’s Satellite Office Submarkets

John Nelson — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 11:30:48 +0000

Robust population and job growth are fueling a resurgence across all sectors of Nashville’s commercial real estate market, pushing vacancies lower, boosting rental rates and attracting strong interest from investors. With increasing demand for office space in the central business district (CBD), a rush of both in- and out-of-state developers and equity have descended on Nashville to deliver Class A product. That delivery timeline has subsequently pushed the demand for existing space to the adjacent Midtown, Wedgewood-Houston and MetroCenter submarkets. These satellite areas are benefiting from the positive absorption with existing space back-filled in record time, and some deliveries of conversions of older warehouses to hip office and retail space. CBD Construction Perhaps predictably, after the city climbed higher among the nation’s top job markets, (ranking third on NerdWallet’s list based on top cities’ unemployment rates and increase in working-age population between 2010- 2015), Nashville ranked sixth among the nation’s top cities for real estate investing in 2017, one spot higher than last year, in the annual Emerging Trends in Real Estate report put together by PricewaterhouseCooper and the Urban Land Institute. These accolades are a testament to Nashville’s crane-filled skyline, confirming that new construction is the dominant force in…

The post Nashville’s Tight CBD Benefits the Metro’s Satellite Office Submarkets appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Accelerating Demand, Deliveries Set the Tone for Nashville’s Apartment Market

John Nelson — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:30:11 +0000

The Nashville multifamily market’s roll continued through the end of 2016 with nearly 6,400 units absorbed, a 10 percent increase compared to 2015, according to Axiometrics. This demand was fueled by steady employment growth of nearly 28,000 new jobs, led by world-class healthcare employers, educational institutions and a burgeoning tech scene. The rate of job growth in Nashville is currently about 50 percent faster than the national level, and as a top destination for young people and the creative class, it’s becoming a cultural and entertainment destination that’s nationally recognized. Rental rates grew on average by 5.6 percent in 2016, buoyed by the fact Nashville had the nation’s second-highest rate of wage growth at 5.3 percent, behind only the Silicon Valley tech hub of San Jose, according to Headlight Data. Average market occupancy remained tight at an average rate of 96 percent, with the Murfreesboro, Southeast Nashville (Antioch) and Sumner County submarkets being the highest performers to end the year. Four submarkets saw rent growth over 7 percent in 2016, including Southeast Nashville, Wilson County/Hermitage, Airport/Briley Parkway and Rivergate/Hendersonville. Submarkets with concentrations of new supply lagged the market average, highlighted by Downtown and Williamson County. Transaction volume set a new…

The post Accelerating Demand, Deliveries Set the Tone for Nashville’s Apartment Market appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Nashville’s Retail Market is Growing Leaps and Bounds, Both Inside and Out

John Nelson — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 11:30:59 +0000

Just like the hit show, “Nashville,” Nashville’s retail market has more than one storyline in play and all of them intertwine to create a tapestry that showcases the retail development in our city. You don’t have to look too hard around downtown Nashville to see the redevelopment surge that is bringing retail as part of mixed-use and traditional developments to this market. Greenfield development in suburban nodes is also capturing the spotlight, albeit a smaller one, as a direct result of the intown growth that is driving up land and construction costs to a level that puts available space out of reach for many retailers. Those that can’t absorb the risk or afford the rent in downtown are looking to Nashville’s most popular suburbs for reasonable storefront alternatives. Mixed-Use Downtown Downtown Nashville redevelopment is a hit right now with no end in sight, which is welcomed news for well-capitalized, specialty retailers. Because of the continually rising costs of land and construction, redevelopment and mixed-use projects are the only feasible entry points for retailers in this market. One of the most significant projects highlighting downtown’s potential is the 6.2-acre redevelopment of the Nashville Convention Center: Fifth + Broadway. A high-quality, mixed-use…

The post Nashville’s Retail Market is Growing Leaps and Bounds, Both Inside and Out appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Memphis Retail Market is a Hotbed for Leasing, Sales Activity and Redevelopments

John Nelson — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 11:30:59 +0000

The retail market in Memphis has continued to improve over the past year with new developments now open for business and redevelopment projects popping up across the metro area. Memphis, most commonly known for its blues and barbecue, has recently become the dreamland for those looking to lease, buy or redevelop assets. Vacancy rates are falling, new tenants and stakeholders are entering the market and retail investment sales continue to be in high demand. With several new development projects in the pipeline, the metro area is looking to capitalize on the new infrastructure. Memphis, located in the southwest corner of Tennessee within Shelby County, boasts a large metropolitan statistical area comprising Crittenden County in Arkansas; Benton, DeSoto, Marshall, Tate and Tunica counties in Mississippi; and Fayette and Tipton counties in Tennessee. One of the most attractive features of life in Memphis is the area’s remarkably low cost of living, which has allowed Memphis to become the city where one eats and stays instead of eats and plays, adding increasing demand on the commercial real estate market. According to a variety of real estate professionals doing business in the area, national and international investors and developers are looking to Memphis because…

The post Memphis Retail Market is a Hotbed for Leasing, Sales Activity and Redevelopments appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Memphis Reaffirms Its Industrial Prowess with Strong 2015 Performance

John Nelson — Mon, 06 Jun 2016 11:30:12 +0000

To say 2015 was a good year for the Memphis industrial market would be an understatement. The Memphis market, which comprises approximately 220 million square feet spread across seven submarkets and three states (Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas), set a new record in 2015 with absorption exceeding 8.4 million square feet. This total is nearly double what the market recorded in 2014 and an impressive 2 million square feet more than the record set in 2006. Vacancy also dipped into single-digit territory for the first time ever, falling below the 10 percent mark to a new record low of 9.8 percent. Vacancy fell 370 basis points in 2015 alone, the most significant year-over-year vacancy decrease in market history. The market’s central U.S. location, quadra-modal transportation infrastructure (river, road, runway and rail) and abundant labor force are just a few of the benefits that make it an ideal location for distribution tenants. A total of 18 Class A deals were completed in 2015 by notable companies like Nike, Post, Cummins, Dayco Products, AmerisourceBergen, T.J. Maxx and Coca-Cola, to name a few. Class A buildings made up 6.3 million square feet, or 75 percent, of total absorption. There were five deals north of…

The post Memphis Reaffirms Its Industrial Prowess with Strong 2015 Performance appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

The ‘Maker Economy’ Joins Industrial Giants in Nashville Market

John Nelson — Mon, 09 May 2016 11:45:38 +0000

Beretta, Nissan, General Motors, Electrolux and Hankook Tire are a few manufacturing giants that call Middle Tennessee home. Expanding the manufacturing presence throughout 2015, 29 advanced manufacturing companies announced relocations or expansions in Middle Tennessee. Of that total, six companies revealed plans to create a combined 710 jobs and occupy more than 1 million square feet during the fourth quarter of 2015 alone. Nashville’s central location, skilled workforce and labor cost advantages continue to make the market a magnet for manufacturing companies. Unsurprisingly, in its Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2016 report, Urban Land Institute named Nashville the “No. 7 U.S. Market to Watch for 2016” and an “18-Hour City.” Additionally, Nashville’s low cost of doing business and consistent job and population growth favor the industrial market, and the pipeline for talent across all multiple industries remains full. Nashville’s industrial market is firing on all cylinders — with record low vacancy rates and historically high rents, which is driving robust speculative warehouse development. Interestingly, a new trend is occurring that is breaking the paradigms of traditional industrial space use — the appearance of the maker economy. These “makers” are modern, small-scale manufacturers that “are emerging as a revitalizing force in…

The post The ‘Maker Economy’ Joins Industrial Giants in Nashville Market appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Job Growth, Desire for Urban Living are Fueling Nashville’s Apartment Boom

John Nelson — Mon, 02 May 2016 11:45:45 +0000

Ten years ago, the urban Nashville multifamily inventory consisted of a small handful of institutional-sized assets, offering sparse amenities and unit finishes that left much to be desired. Fast forward to 2016 and the seemingly insatiable demand by residents to live in the eclectic, urban enclaves that Nashville offers has resulted in more than 5,000 units delivered over the last few years, with nearly 8,000 additional units set to deliver over the next two years. The standard of the assets being delivered continues to raise the bar, as developers look for a competitive edge and renters have demonstrated their willingness to pay a premium, with rents in top locations flirting with $3.00 per square foot. Demand The absorption pace has accelerated each year, seemingly limited only by the number of units being delivered to the market. When looking at the entire metro area, not just the urban submarkets, absorption topped 6,000 units in 2015, with new supply totaling approximately 5,960 units. A significant portion of this demand is from Millennials, who traditionally prefer to live in urban neighborhoods, and with Nashville ranked as a top 10 destination for Millennial in-migration, this trend is likely to continue. Fueling the urban residential…

The post Job Growth, Desire for Urban Living are Fueling Nashville’s Apartment Boom appeared first on REBusinessOnline.

Chattanooga is Enjoying a Boom of Office, Retail and Hotel Activity Amid its Urban Renewal.

John Nelson — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:07:04 +0000

Chattanooga is situated at a U-turn of the Tennessee River amidst forests and mountains, hence the community’s nickname, Scenic City. Two of Chattanooga’s largest employers are Volkswagen, which has a plant here, and Amazon, which runs a distribution center in the city. Insurance firm Unum Group, a Fortune 500 Company founded in 1848, is headquartered here and is one of the larger occupiers of downtown office space. Long-known for its natural resources and as a tourism destination, Chattanooga is experiencing a real estate boom fueled by urbanization trends and its proximity to Atlanta (2 hours south) and Nashville (1.5 hours northwest), as well as its growing recognition as one of the South’s top tourism and entertainment venues. Key to the urban renewal is the conversion of dozens of properties — mostly from office uses to residential, retail or hotel uses. The combination of the Great Recession and a 2009 move by BlueCross BlueShield into a new $229 million downtown facility has led to the relatively high vacancy rate of 17.5 percent that persisted up until early 2014. Most of the 600,000 square feet of facilities vacated by BlueCross BlueShield were not suitable for multi-tenanted office use and the spaces would…

The post Chattanooga is Enjoying a Boom of Office, Retail and Hotel Activity Amid its Urban Renewal. appeared first on REBusinessOnline.