Q2 2011 | INDUSTRIAL
ATLANTA
MARKET REPORT
Despite Q2, Atlanta Industrial Headed for Positive 2011
MARKET INDICATORS Projected
Q2 2011 VACANCY
Q3 2011
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NET ABSORPTION CONSTRUCTION
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RENTAL RATE
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CAP RATES
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As expected, the Atlanta industrial market finished the second quarter with more space given back than filled. Industrial absorption over the three month period totaled (392,283) square feet. Clorox’s move-out of 607,650 square feet was the largest in the quarter, single-handedly accounting for the negative absorption. This was anticipated given that Clorox had not been fully utilizing its new 1.25 million square foot build-to-suit when it began operations in the first quarter. Outside of this move-out, a few other companies also vacated space. GENCO, Unitex, Uline, Nioxin and Mitsui-Soko combined for a total of 1 million square feet of added vacancy to the market in second quarter. In the cases of Unitex and Mitsui-Soko, these companies relocated and contracted their space usage. Despite these vacancies, there were a number of second quarter move-ins to help balance out the space added. The largest occupier in second quarter was Electrolux which moved into 600,000 square feet of warehouse in South Atlanta. This was a net gain to the Atlanta industrial market as the company relocated from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Additionally, the majority of space occupancy in the quarter was from tenants ranging between 20,000 to 70,000 square feet. This is an encouraging sign and shows some small business activity is returning to the market; a plus to the local economy and much needed for a recovering industrial market. Finally, in spite of the quarter’s overall negative absorption, Atlanta’s industrial market remains over 2.1 million square feet positive for the year. Now that the second quarter is complete, the focus can shift to expected activity through the end of the year. Industrial leasing in Atlanta has remained fairly steady throughout the first half of 2011, with a mixed bag of large and small transactions. As it stands, nothing suggests this activity will slow. Industrial indices are consistently improving and this is translating to an increased demand for warehouse and distribution space by companies nationwide. However, unlike markets such as the Inland Empire and Indianapolis where vacancy rates are dropping and space options have dwindled, continued on page 2
UPDATE
ATLANTA INDUSTRIAL
NEW SUPPLY, ABSORPTION AND VACANCY RATES
Atlanta Rental Rates Overall Market & Bulk Warehouse* (per sq. ft.) $4.25
$4.25
18%
25,000,000
$4.00
$4.00
20,000,000
$3.75
$3.75
6%
www.colliers.com/atlanta
2011
2010
2009
Bulk Warehouse*
2008
Market AVG
*Bulk warehouse defined as warehouse space in excess of 100,000 SF with dock loading and minimium ceiling heights of 24 ft.
2007
(5,000,000)
2006
0 2005
2011 2011
2010 2010
2009 2009
2008 2008
5,000,000
2004
$2.50
$2.50
10%
2003
$2.75
$2.75
10,000,000
2002
$3.00
$3.00
Square Feet
$3.25
$3.25
14%
15,000,000
$3.50
$3.50
(10,000,000)
2% -2%
Absorption
Deliveries
Vacancy %
Breaking a string of four consecutive quarters with positive absorption, the Atlanta industrial market saw occupancy drop in the second quarter. Despite this, year-to-date absorption remains positive at 2,137,899 SF. The overall vacancy rate showed no significant movement. There were no deliveries in the quarter, keeping Atlanta’s total industrial inventory at 598 million sq. ft.