Markets continued their advance in 2016 as absorption totaled 250,333 sq. ft., its highest total in over 20 years. Since the First Quarter of 2010 the market has gained over 948,000 sq. ft. Rental rates have stabilized and market fundamentals have continued to strengthen.
A pleasant surprise! While expectations were that CRE investment in the Edmonton market would decline, we have seen strong overall demand and spending, particularly on Retail properties over the course of 2016, shifting from ICI Land the previous year. The remaining asset classes largely remained stable and generally exceeded analysts’ expectations.
The entrance of institutional investors in the Calgary market, during a down period, demonstrates a renewed confidence in the future of the city. Adding additional appeal is the advanced process of industry diversification. The results of 2016 are of no surprise to prudent investors and to us Calgarians.
The Denver retail vacancy rate decreased in the fourth quarter, ending the year at 4.6%. Overall, the retail market has seen a decrease in vacancy rate, with the vacancy rate starting at 4.9% in Q1 2016, to 4.8% in the end of Q2 2016, remaining 4.8% at the end of Q3 2016, down to 4.6% in Q4 2016.
The Denver industrial vacancy rate slightly increased in the fourth quarter, ending the year at 4.8%. Specifically, both industrial-flex projects and warehouse projects experienced an increase in vacancy over the last quarter but slightly fluctuated throughout all four quarters.