Q1 2012 | OFFICE
ATLANTA
MARKET REPORT
Atlanta Office Absorption Continues its Positive Trend
MARKET INDICATORS Q1 2012
Projected
Q2 2012
VACANCY NET ABSORPTION CONSTRUCTION RENTAL RATE
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CAP RATES
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Carrying over the positive occupancy gains experienced in 2011, Atlanta’s office market began 2012 with absorption totaling just over 625,000 square feet; an amount equal to almost all of last year’s total. First quarter’s occupancy gains can be attributed to factors such as prior leasing activity which has now moved to the occupancy phase, expansions of existing tenants in the Atlanta market and continued small business growth. Transactions signed during the past couple of years and now taking occupancy were some of the largest move-ins in first quarter. Examples include Kids II which moved into 102,818 square feet in Buckhead, Ventyx which relocated to 55,257 square feet in Central Perimeter and Internap which relocated office functions to 59,000 square feet also in Central Perimeter. Of note, all of these moves were expansions of the companies’ previous office footprints. Other tenant expansions in the market contributing to first quarter’s positive absorption were Delta Dental which moved into an additional 21,352 square feet at its office in North Fulton, Lockheed moving into another 20,711 square feet in its Northlake office building and Robert Half taking another 19,253 square feet at its Buckhead office. In addition to the positive effects of these expansions, small businesses continued to provide incremental growth to occupancy in the office market. Hiring from small businesses averaged 0.6% growth over the past quarter. This is down from the 3.2% growth in hiring in fourth quarter 2011, but still above the national average. Atlanta’s office market recovery continues to show signs of strengthening. The first quarter of the year exemplified this best with yet another solid period of space absorption. Heading into second quarter, much of the same is expected. Like first quarter, there are a number of scheduled move-ins from prior leasing activity set to take place. Examples include Greenberg Traurig which is relocating from 47,683 square feet at The Forum in Northwest Atlanta to 93,466 square feet at Terminus 200 in Buckhead, and PricewaterhouseCoopers continued on page 2
ATLANTA OFFICE
NEW SUPPLY, ABSORPTION AND VACANCY RATES
UPDATE Atlanta Rental Rates Overall Market & Class A (per sq. ft.)
6,000,000 $25.00 $25.00
25%
5,000,000
$24.00 $24.00
4,000,000
$23.00 $23.00
20%
3,000,000
Class A
Market AVG
10% 2012
2011
2010
2009
5%
(3,000,000) 0%
(4,000,000) Absorption
www.colliers.com/atlanta
2008
(2,000,000)
2007
$17.00 $17.00
2006
(1,000,000)
2005
0
$18.00 $18.00
2012
2011 2011
2010 2010
2009 2009
$19.00 $19.00
15%
1,000,000 2004
$20.00 $20.00
2,000,000
2003
$21.00 $21.00
Square Feet
$22.00 $22.00
Deliveries
Vacancy %
Occupancy in Atlanta’s office market increased for the fourth consecutive quarter. Absorption totaled 627,818 SF in the first quarter. This brought the overall vacancy rate down to 17.6%. Only one building of 16,000 SF delivered during the period. Though Class A rental rates are close to bottoming, the overall average for the market has yet to show any upwards movement.