Q1 2011 | OFFICE
ATLANTA
MARKET REPORT
Atlanta Office: Contractions > Expansions in Q1
MARKET INDICATORS Q1 2011 VACANCY
Projected
Q2 2011
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NET ABSORPTION
The Atlanta office market continues to bounce along the bottom as witnessed through the loss of occupancy starting the year. First quarter office absorption was negative; move-outs trumping move-ins by 153,163 square feet. The amount of occupancy lost pales in comparison to the drops experienced in 2009; still, more space given back adds to the glut of vacancy already in the market, and also shows the reality of Atlanta’s current office market situation. This quarter’s negative absorption was mostly due to contractions outweighing expansions in the market. Current office demand in Atlanta leans overwhelmingly towards existing tenants with lease terms coming due. These companies, seeking more efficiency in their office space usage, are taking advantage of current conditions and moving into more manageable, higher quality and sometimes economically feasible spaces. Two examples of this occurred in first quarter. SunTrust signed a lease two years ago to move from Class B office to Class A office, downsizing from 358,000 square feet to 254,000 square feet. The move occurred this quarter resulting in 104,000 square feet of vacant space added Downtown. The advertising agency J. Walter Thompson also contracted its space usage in first quarter moving from two office locations in Central Perimeter to one of the new towers in Buckhead. The consolidation resulted in a 36,000 square feet occupancy loss. Despite these, Atlanta saw a number of expansions in first quarter as well with Coca-Cola’s move from flex property into 148,000 square feet of Class A office in North Fulton being the largest of the period.
CONSTRUCTION RENTAL RATE
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CAP RATES
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Going forward, a holding pattern remains in effect for Atlanta’s office market. The job growth catalyst needed to transition to full recovery remains elusive for the time being. Companies need to feel more confident in the pace of the nation’s economic recovery before increasing their payrolls. Given the current volatility of macro-economic conditions, the status quo will likely remain. Second quarter office leasing should continue at its current pace in Atlanta with contractions and expansions continued on page 2
ATLANTA OFFICE
NEW SUPPLY, ABSORPTION AND VACANCY RATES
UPDATE Atlanta Rental Rates Overall Market & Class A (per sq. ft.)
25%
6,000,000 $24.00
$25.00
5,000,000
$24.00
$23.00
20%
4,000,000
$23.00
$22.00
3,000,000
Market AVG
2011
2010
5%
(2,000,000) (3,000,000)
0% Absorption
www.colliers.com/atlanta
2009
2011
2010 2010
2009 2009
2008 2008
Class A
(1,000,000)
2008
$17.00
$17.00
10%
0
$18.00
2007
$18.00
1,000,000 2006
$19.00
$19.00
2005
$20.00
15%
2,000,000
2004
$20.00
2003
$21.00
2002
$21.00
Square Feet
$22.00
Deliveries
Vacancy %
The Atlanta office market slipped back to negative absorption in First Quarter 2011 with occupancy dropping by 153,163 SF. Despite the drop, vacancy remained relatively flat with the overall rate at 18.3%. There were no deliveries in the first quarter and only three buildings totaling 331,104 SF are under construction. Atlanta’s office inventory stands at just over 214 million sq. ft.