YEAR-END 2010 | INDUSTRIAL
ATLANTA
MARKET REPORT
4th Quarter Pushes Atlanta Industrial Positive for Year
MARKET INDICATORS Q4 2010
NEXT QTR
VACANCY NET ABSORPTION CONSTRUCTION
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RENTAL RATE
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CAP RATES
After two years of occupancy losses, Atlanta’s industrial market finished 2010 with a net gain of 919,129 square feet. Fourth quarter’s increase in occupied space was instrumental to the market finishing the year positive. Move-ins by Medline and Boles Part Supply helped contribute to absorption in the quarter. Medline expanded into 593,404 square feet in I-20 West/Fulton Industrial, while Boles Part Supply moved into a 522,300 square foot building it purchased earlier in the year. Additionally, move-ins from tenants ranging between 70,000 to 110,000 square feet were also abundant. Atlanta’s industrial vacancy rate decreased quarter-to-quarter for the first time in three years as a result of the positive activity. Compared to this time last year, however, overall vacancy is still up 0.4%, or 1.8 million square feet. Nevertheless, 2010 proved to be a transitional year for the industrial market in Atlanta as the region is slowly moving away from record vacancy. The year’s most notable highlights include General Mills moving into their 1.5 million square foot distribution center east of the city; Kraft moving into its 980,000 square feet build-to-suit in South Atlanta; and Phillips Van Heusen doubling the size of its Atlanta presence by signing for a 851,349 square feet distribution center in South Atlanta. Local economists are predicting a slow and steady road to recovery for Atlanta’s economy. The same came be said for the metro area’s industrial market. The buzz is more positive and upbeat than it has been in years. Heading into 2011, Atlanta is expected to continue seeing activity from companies looking to consolidate their regional industrial operations to the area. In addition, industrial expansions are slowly creeping back into the market. Consumer products and logistics companies will likely be the most active in 2011. Though leasing activity and demand remain moderate, a number of large requirements exist and are close to being finalized. It was recently reported that Lowe’s is close to making a decision on a new distribution center either in South Atlanta or Northeast Atlanta, while FedEx continued on page 2
ATLANTA INDUSTRIAL
NEW SUPPLY, ABSORPTION AND VACANCY RATES
UPDATE Atlanta Rental Rates Overall Market & Warehouse (per sq. ft.)
25,000,000
18%
20,000,000
14%
$4.00
$4.00
$3.75
$3.75
15,000,000
6% 5,000,000 2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
(10,000,000)
-2% -6%
Absorption
www.colliers.com/atlanta
2005
2009 2009
2008 2008
2007 2007
2010 2010
Warehouse
(5,000,000)
2004
$2.50
$2.50
Market AVG
2%
0 2003
$2.75
$2.75
10,000,000
2002
$3.00
$3.00
Square Feet
$3.25
$3.25
10%
2001
$3.50
$3.50
Deliveries
Vacancy %
The Atlanta industrial market finished the year with positive absorption of 919,129 SF. Fourth quarter’s occupancy increase helped push the year-to-date total into positive territory. Q u a r t e r- t o - q u a r t e r , industrial vacancy decreased for the first time in three years; however, the rate still increased from 2009. Delivered space in 2010 was tied to build-to-suit projects only.