The traditional condo, detached, and semi-detached housing market is in relatively good shape in the GTA. This week, Tembo will focus on another component of the market; commercial and industrial properties.
In a few of our past blogs and newsletters, Tembo has outlined that the general trajectory for commercial properties has been positive – with healthy stats; strong demand, high prices and soaring investment. In 2017, commercial property investment hit an all time high. Some of Canada’s biggest pension funds, corporations, firms, and banks invested huge amounts into building, leasing, and buying commercial real estate.
Commercial Real Estate Trajectory Continues
Commercial and industrial real estate availability hit a record low of 3.9% this year, according to the CBRE. Toronto’s availability is the lowest in the country, at 2.2%, even lower than Vancouver’s tight 2.4%.
Massive socio-economic changes and strong growth are driving the ongoing surge. Warehouses are in high demand, as is real estate that caters to the e-commerce and food sectors. Recently, multinational Amazon announced several large scale warehouse, or Fulfillment Center investments across the country, most notably in Ottawa.
The massive commercial demand has seen the market respond with huge increases in construction activity; a 47% rise from earlier years. In provinces with relatively weak economies and increasing commercial vacancy, such as Alberta, new sectors such as cannabis and e-commerce are replacing traditional ones. Overall, residential real estate will be competing for capital that could be allocated to the commercial sector.
The boom, in all things real estate, continues.