Tech Companies Could Boost Office Rents In These 3 Markets, By Lara O’Keefe, Bisnow
“Unemployment is at its lowest level in nearly two decades, but while the economy has been booming, the office sector has been slow to pick up on these gains. One office-occupying sector that is expanding is technology. It has contributed to an estimated 20 percent of office-leasing activity in the past several years. Atlanta has been an anticipated winner of Amazon’s HQ2 for some time, and there are several reasons why. Its strong tech community, which includes companies like SalesLoft, and postsecondary institutions that provide top talent are a draw for both Amazon and a number of other tech companies looking for office space.”
Urban-Like Mixed-Use Risks Becoming Commodity In North Fulton, By Jarred Schenke, Bisnow
“Future mixed-use projects in Atlanta’s affluent suburbs must strive to be a lure to area residents or risk becoming a commodity in the marketplace, developers warn. ‘If you make it a commodity, the product is going to be so diluted, everyone fails,’ Rubenstein Partners Southeast Regional Director Taylor Smith said. ‘If you make it something special and authentic, there will be a lot of success.'”
America’s most successful malls are worth billions and defying the retail meltdown with luxury stores and special events — take a look inside, By Jessica Tyler, Business Insider
“Despite the retail apocalypse claiming stores across the country, some of the most successful malls in the US are bringing in more than $1,000 per square foot in sales. According to research by the boutique firm Boenning & Scattergood, which was reported by CNBC, the 20 most valuable malls in America bring in around $21 billion in retail sales each year. These malls, owned by the likes of Simon Property Group and Westfield, have few vacancies. In addition to traditional stores, many of the most valuable malls include food halls with local eateries, pop-up shops, and grocers, plus experiences like movie screenings or concerts.”
Economy Watch: CRE Prices Up Slightly in February, By D.C. Stribling, Commercial Property Executive
“U.S. commercial real estate investment prices rose 0.1 percent in February—the first gain after nine consecutive months of contraction, according to Ten-X Commercial’s February Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Nowcast.”
Declining Occupancy, Rent Growth Spreading to Top Tier of Best-Located US Retail Properties, By Randyl Drummer, CoStar
“Even the best performing and most well located U.S. malls and shopping centers are beginning to feel the pinch of flat-lining rent growth and a vacancy uptick as e-commerce continues to take market share from brick-and-mortar retailers and the retail sector enters the late stages of the real estate cycle.”
Retailers are trying to profit off Toys R Us’ struggles, By Lisa Fickenscher, New York Post
“A growing number of retailers — including Best Buy, Kohl’s and JCPenney — have been quietly ramping up their toy offerings, hoping to capitalize on the troubles of one of the largest toy sellers in the US, industry insiders tell The Post.”