Washington

Business headlines over the past few months have been full of sunny reports from Seattle: Boeing, for example, is in full swing thanks to the production ramp up of the 787 and the backlog of orders for both the 787 and 737, representing a workload of more than 5 years. The tech sector is hopping here as well, with Google adding up to 840 jobs, Amazon doubling the positions available from a year ago to 1,900, and solid growth at Facebook. This all takes place, of course, in a market that happens to include big-name employers like Microsoft and the increasingly active Gates Foundation, and strong sectors such as Biotech and Pacific Rim trading. Given this strong and diverse economic base, then, it is perhaps no surprise that Seattle is robust compared with many other U.S. markets. This is not to say the recession had no effect — a year ago, rents in empty boxes were leasing at discounts of up to 40 percent of what had been paid by previous tenants. However, the market here has gradually stabilized, and those discounts have shrunk to 15 to 20 percent of previous rental rates. Today, in fact, retailers like HomeGoods, Sports …

Small box retail is the new Seattle trend, and small-shop local retailers are rising to the top. Investor groups are primed, seeing this market as a cherry-picking field of opportunities. Strong big box retailers are shopping a surplus of space that has gone dark. The vacancy rate in the Puget Sound area is 7 to 8 percent, with 4 percent being the norm in prior recessions. Retailers that have vacated without immediate replacement include Circuit City, Linens 'n Things and Joe's Sports & Outdoor. Developers and landlords have struggled to crunch numbers that mid-box retailers can digest. Retailers still seek “Main & Main” locations. Small shop space now commands 25 percent lower rents, but remains competitive due to lack of new construction. From small to large space, tenants should expect to see rates in the low teens, even the single digits in one-off markets. After many peaked at more than current market rates, renewal rates have now dropped in order for landlords to retain tenants. Often space that would have commanded $36 per square foot to $40 per square foot 2 years ago, now goes for around $30 per square foot. Both the upper-income suburban locations and the inner-city mixed-use …

The Pacific Northwest’s regional economy remains strong even after being impacted by the national and global economic trends. Unemployment is up to 5.3 percent in the region. Housing sales have also slowed, however, sales prices have increased slightly. Most retailers’ sales have increased although across-the-board sales have been flat, since auto and furniture sales are down, due to rising fuel prices and fewer home sales, respectively. Questionable shopping center projects are now being placed on hold or have become staged developments, while well located, designed and tenanted centers are going forward. Well-placed neighborhood centers continue to be planned and developed, though some neighborhood centers have been impacted by Wal-Mart Supercenters and Winco Foods, causing nearby grocers to close or reposition. This has resulted in large vacancies in a few neighborhood centers. Regional and community centers have also seen a few more vacancies, which has caused some retailers previously suffering from poor sales to close stores, while others are taking a more cautious approach to expansion. National retail apparel chains have slowed, bypassing most community center opportunities. Regional malls continue adding lifestyle components. At Southcenter in Tukwila, Washington, a second lifestyle component could be added to the north side of the …