Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 31, 2024: W South Beach Sells for $400M+; Amazon Seeks 80k sf in Wynwood; $2B Project Planned for Fort Lauderdale; More…

Amazon Reportedly In Talks To Lease Large Office Space In Wywnood

Amazon could become the latest tech giant to move to Wynwood. The company is reportedly in talks to lease between 60,000 and 80,000 square feet at the under-construction Wynwood Plaza, according to Commercial Observer. At the time of writing, the talks were for about 75,000 square feet of space, the report said. About a year ago, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced he…

Amazon in advanced talks to lease as much as 80K sf at Wynwood Plaza

Amazon is getting closer to signing an office lease at the Wynwood Plaza project that’s under construction in Miami. The e-commerce behemoth is in advanced talks to take about 75,000 square feet at the development, with the final space still being determined, possibly ranging from 60,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet, Commercial Observer reported, citing anonymous…

Auto dealers Ali and Faisal Ahmed jump into South Florida’s industrial market, buying Miami Lakes warehouse for $38M

Auto dealers Ali and Faisal Ahmed are revved up for South Florida’s industrial market, dropping $38.2 million for a Miami Lakes warehouse. An entity managed by the Miami Lakes-based car moguls acquired a 190,707-square-foot industrial facility at 14100 Northwest 60th Avenue, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Completed in 1971, the two-story…

Graham adds to portfolio, pays $69M for 448-unit Miami Lakes apartment complex

Graham Companies, led by the family that developed Miami Lakes, expanded its empire with a $69 million purchase of a 448-unit apartment complex. The firm bought the ground lease for the Courtyards at Miami Lakes at 6431 Cow Pen Road from Village Oaks Associates, led by Ariel and Oded Meltzer, according to records and real estate database Vizzda.

Simon and David Reuben plant flag in Miami Beach, complete $400M-plus purchase of W-branded hotel

Billionaires Simon and David Reuben are officially entering the Miami Beach hospitality game, acquiring the W South Beach for more than $400 million. Reuben Brothers, the siblings’ eponymous London-based global investment arm, bought the hotel at 2201 Collins Avenue from Aby Rosen and David Edelstein, who lead New York-based firms, RFR Realty and Tricap…

Reuben Brothers Buy W South Beach From RFR, Tricap For More Than $400M

British billionaire investors the Reuben Brothers have acquired the W South Beach hotel for nearly a half-billion dollars. The London-based Reuben Brothers bought the building and its 348 hotel rooms and managed condo units from New York-based developers RFR and Tricap, which opened the building in 2009 after acquiring the 3.5-acre site at 2201 Collins Ave. in 2004.

420-Foot Luxury Residential Tower Proposed In South Beach

A developer wants to build a 420-foot luxury condo tower in South Beach. An existing 286-unit building on the site allowing short term rentals would be demolished. The new tower would have a more compact footprint but rise to a taller height of 29 stories. It would include 100 long-term residential units, with short term rentals prohibited. Units will be larger, at over 2,000 square…

Edgewater Whole Foods Under Construction, Apartments Available Above

Whole Foods has filed a Notice of Commencement for its new store in Edgewater, near Midtown Miami and Wynwood. The filing was recorded in county records on October 9. It states that tenant build out of the grocery store was commencing. Miami’s Building Department issued a construction permit for the large new supermarket in August. According to the permit…

329-Unit NoMad Residences Wynwood Tops Off

NoMad Residences Wynwood has topped off at nine stories. A ceremony was held at the construction site in mid-October to celebrate the milestone. Completion is slated for Q4 2025. NoMad Residences will include 329 condos delivered finished and furnished, and allowing flexible rentals. More than 80% of units are in contract. A rooftop restaurant and NoMad Bar is planned…

Brickell’s Tallest Office Tower Is Now Open

830 Brickell is now officially complete. The Class A+ office building received its full Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, and the first tenants have moved in. Banco Santander, which took 95,000 square feet, is said to have been the first tenant to move in. As of mid-October, around 20% of the building was occupied and operational, with the remainder expected to be built out…

Downtown Miami’s 14 ROC Gets FAA Approval, Utilities; Tree Permit Submitted

The 14 ROC tower planned in downtown Miami has received FAA height approval, and a utilities deal has been completed. A tree permit has also been applied for. The Federal Aviation Administration approval was issued on October 5. It allows a permanent building height of 395 feet above ground, or 407 feet above sea level. Miami-Dade County completed a deal with the developer…

Target Is Now Open In Downtown Miami (Parking Is Free)

Target has opened its store at a new retail complex in downtown Miami near the Brightline station. The new 50,000-square-foot Target is part of the 1.5 million Sawyer’s Walk development in Overtown, which includes multiple levels of retail, office, and residential. Target Miami Downtown offers free parking, reviewers wrote on Google Maps. The store website says it also offers…

Total Demolition Permit Issued At Edgewater Property Where 3 Towers Planned

Miami’s Building Department has issued a total demolition permit for a former Wendy’s Restaurant at the 3333 Biscayne property where a major redevelopment is planned. Multiple other demolition permits for residential properties on the same block were also issued on the same day, October 25. Those properties make up part of the new development site. The Wendy’s permit had…

Esplanade at Aventura Expands Retail Offerings With Eight New Tenants in 2024

Esplanade at Aventura is enhancing its shopping and dining offerings by adding eight new-to-market tenants throughout 2024. Since its launch in December 2023, the modern destination in Aventura has drawn visitors with its unique blend of upscale eateries, wellness boutiques, and Class A office spaces. The newly introduced tenants span luxury retail to fitness and specialty…

US vows $390 million to build Miami-Dade county’s Northeast rail corridor

The Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit, part of the Strategic Miami Area Rapid Transit (SMART) Plan, moved closer to reality Tuesday with the Federal Transit Administration announcing that it could receive up to $389.5 million in federal grants. Odds of approval by a Republican-led Congress, however, drops the project into a big “Maybe” box, depending on the outcome…

Homeowners’ secret deal to support Barry Sternlicht and partners’ plan to redevelop Standard Miami Beach creates ethical dilemma

A secret $1.2 million deal between a star-studded roster of investors and a homeowner’s group for supporting a $61 million redevelopment of the Standard Miami Beach may violate the city’s ethics code. A partnership featuring billionaire Barry Sternlicht, architect Bjarke Ingels, lawyer and singer Shakira’s ex-boyfriend Anthonio de la Rúa and hospitality CEO…

Michael Stern’s JDS plans luxury condo next to Monad Terrace in Miami Beach

Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group plans to develop a luxury condo tower next to its Monad Terrace project, The Real Deal has learned. An affiliate of JDS plans a buyout of the 238-unit Bay Garden Manor condo building at 1250 West Avenue, according to a source. The firm has started closing on units, and so far six sales have been recorded since June, ranging from $215,000…

Meet Michael Stern’s new partner, Italian entrepreneur Gianluca Vacchi

Italian entrepreneur Gianluca Vacchi is partnering with developer Michael Stern, taking his marketing chops and wellness expertise to work on a $4 billion pipeline of new real estate projects, starting in South Florida. Vacchi, who has a combined 45 million followers on Instagram and TikTok, formed a joint venture through his GV Development Group and Stern’s JDS…

Faced with Sears site fallout, Miami appeals to the state

City officials are urging the state to reconsider the Live Local Act, which overrides local zoning for affordable housing, in order to limit the scale of a planned project near Miami’s Coral Gate neighborhood that has raised resident concerns. Coral Gate residents filled city hall on Oct. 24, voicing strong support during the commission’s comment period for limiting the size of a three-building…

JV Scores Miami Dade’s First Permit for IOS Purpose Built Facility

Timber Hill’s special purpose firm Coconut Palm TH LLC, and Champion Realty Advisors have scored a permit for their IOS facility project in Homestead, Florida. The move has allowed the joint venture to finally break the ground on the project at South Dade Truck Parking Overlay after the process took months. This marks the first time a purpose-built IOS facility was granted…

Air taxi flights targeting Miami’s skies by 2026

Air taxis could be cruising the skyline as soon as summer 2026, as UrbanLink is progressing with plans to launch an all-electric fleet geared to transform transportation in Miami. A South Florida-based startup, UrbanLink is an advanced air mobility (AAM) company working to revolutionize aerial and maritime transit through cutting-edge, zero-emission solutions. It plans…

Cipriani Residences Miami Completes Brickell’s Largest Foundation Pour of the Year

Developer Mast Capital has completed the largest mat foundation concrete pour in Brickell this year for Cipriani Residences Miami, marking a significant milestone in constructing the brand’s first North American ground-up residential project. The pour, spanning approximately 16 hours, involved 11,500 cubic yards of concrete and 2,500 tons of reinforcing steel, making…

Twin 60-Story Residential Towers Planned Inside New Faena District

Plans have been announced for two 60-story towers called Faena Residences Miami, along with a new cultural district, Faena District Miami River. The buildings will include 440 residential condos. At the top, the towers will be connected by a two-story 45,000-square-foot “cultural epicenter.” Rafael Viñoly Architects is designing the towers. It is one of the last works by the late…

Developers Plan 48-Story Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences near Design District

Sales are now underway for Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences. It is the first foray into residential development by Michelin-Star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Jean-Georges’ abc kitchens, a blend of his popular plant-forward restaurant abcV, Latin concept abc cocina, and abc kitchen will be located on the ground floor of the new development. There will also be a private…

$927M Miami-Aventura Train Service Approved For Engineering Phase With More Funding

Miami-Dade’s planned Northeast Corridor train service has received Federal Transit Administration approval to move to the engineering phase. The FTA issued a pre-award with a maximum of $389m towards the project (Miami-Dade was requesting $454m), according to a letter issued October 23. The county will fund an additional $338m, while the State of Florida will provide $200m.

Brickell Supertall Tower Submitted To FAA At 1049 Feet

The Federal Aviation Administration received an application last week with a proposal for a supertall tower in Brickell. The filing matches the same location where Citadel is planning to build its headquarters tower. According to the filing, the tower is planned to reach a height of 1,046 feet above ground, or 1,049 feet above sea level. The agency received the application on October 24.

Weekend Foundation Pour For 80-Story Brickell Tower

A foundation pour took place over the past weekend for the 80-story Cipriani Residences in Brickell (a video of the pour can be seen here). It was planned as Brickell’s largest concrete pour year to date, with over 750 truckloads brought in beginning on Friday evening. The tower will become the first-ever ground-up Cipriani residences in North America, with 397 luxury condos.

Pre-Application Filed For 50-Story Tower North Of Signature Bridge

A pre-application meeting request has been filed with county planners for a new 50-story tower in Miami. According to the filing, the new tower is planned to be built at 1315 NE Miami Ct, just north of Miami’s under-construction Signature Bridge. The approval process is planned through Miami-Dade’s Rapid Transit Zoning area, rather than through the City of Miami. 1315 NE Miami Ct…

Prologis To Ramp Up Warehouse Purchases With Global Demand Expected To Climb

Executives at the world’s largest warehouse owner and developer expect to ramp up property acquisitions in coming months in a bet that industrial real estate demand will accelerate next year after a period of rising vacancies and subdued rent growth. Prologis raised its projected spending on acquisitions to between $1.75 billion and $2.25 billion for the full year — up…

Aman Miami Beach Residences Gets FAA Clearance, Approved for Heights Up to 252 Feet Above Ground

OKO Group and Access Industries have secured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for the Aman Miami Beach Residences at 3425 Collins Avenue. The FAA issued two determinations, each specifying height clearances for different points of the building to ensure compliance with airspace regulations. The primary clearance permits a maximum height of 252 feet above…

Notable Retail Leases Signed in South Florida Q3 2024

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top retail leases signed by square footage in South Florida during 2023. This past quarter was busy overall, and there were a few big box leases signed and sealed. Despite the sentiment that the traditional retail market is taking a hit due to several factors, particularly e-commerce and several retail store closures nationwide, this quarter’s lease…

Cayon, Easton ring up $17M Walmart-anchored shopping center purchase in Homestead

Cayon Development Group and Easton Group are joining the wave of buyers snatching up South Florida shopping centers, paying $16.8 million for a Homestead retail site anchored by a Walmart Neighborhood Market. The joint venture acquired a four-building retail complex at 14325 Southwest 268th Street, records and real estate database Vizzda show. Miami-based Cayon…

ASPR Filed for 600-Unit Apartment Development at Pullman Miami Airport Hotel Parking Lot

London + Regional Properties submitted an Administrative Site Plan Review (ASPR) application with Miami-Dade County on October 24 to develop two eight-story mixed-use buildings on the Pullman Miami Airport hotel site at 5800 Blue Lagoon Drive. The proposal outlines plans for 600 new residential units spread across two buildings on the hotel’s existing parking lot. The 10-acre site…

Swire Properties Announces 11 New Tenants at Brickell City Centre in Miami

Swire Properties has announced 11 new tenants as part of the North Block expansion at Brickell City Centre, a mixed-use development located at 701 S. Miami Ave. in Miami’s Brickell district. The new deals total 65,800 square feet and feature a mix of recent openings and openings for later this year and 2025. The new tenants joining Brickell City Centre include an anchor store…

Easton Group Acquires JCPenney-Leased Department Store at Miami International Mall for $12M

An affiliate of The Easton Group has acquired a single-tenant department store and adjacent parking lot in the Miami suburb of Doral for $12 million. Situated on a 10-acre site within Miami International Mall, the property totals 150,108 square feet of big box retail space. JCPenney currently occupies the building. Edward Easton, CEO and chairman of Easton Group, says that the…

Easton drops $17M for Miami International Mall’s closed Sears, plans up to 500 apartments

Easton Group bought Miami International Mall’s shuttered Sears for $17.1 million, with plans to develop up to 500 apartments on the site. The firm joins a growing number of investors that are seizing on floundering shopping centers in South Florida. Their plans include revamping the retail, as well as building new mixed-use projects on parking lots or on the site…

Faena Unveils a New Cultural District in Miami with a Landmark Riverfront Residential Project

Faena, in partnership with Fortune International Group and KAR Properties, is expanding its renowned brand to the heart of Miami by creating the Faena District Miami River. Set at 90 Southwest 3rd Street, this multi-phase cultural district will be located within the only 14-acre private park along the Miami River. Anchored by Faena Residences Miami, this transformative…

Think smaller: LD&D, partners relaunch sales for Surf Row in Surfside

The developers are relaunching sales of their planned Surf Row, a luxury condo project in Surfside, with smaller units and lower starting prices, according to a press release. Miami-based LD&D, led by Diego and Alejandro Bonet, partnered with George Samarjian’s IGEQ and Daniel de la Vega’s One Capital to first launch Surf Row in 2022 as an eight-unit townhouse development…

1950s-Era Silver Sands Beach Resort to be Replaced With 13-Story High-Rise at 301 Ocean Drive in Key Biscayne

Silver Sands Beach Resort in Key Biscayne, FL, will soon be replaced with a luxury condominium. Miami-based Terra recently secured approval from city officials, greenlighting a project that would replace the 1950s-era hotel with a 13-story tower. The high-rise would require 288,163 square feet of new construction, comprising 56 condos. The South Florida Business Journal…

David Martin’s Terra plans beachfront Key Biscayne condo development

Developer David Martin plans a luxury condominium in Key Biscayne, on the site of the Silver Sands Beach Resort. Martin’s Coconut Grove-based Terra is under contract to purchase the waterfront hotel at 301 Ocean Drive, according to an application submitted to the village of Key Biscayne. The Key Biscayne Council approved ordinances tied to the planned redevelopment…

South Florida industrial landlords are seeing pockets of softness as vacancies creep up

South Florida’s industrial market, the region’s bellwether commercial sector, is showing signs of softness as vacancy rates crept up across the region in the third quarter, a recent Colliers report shows. In Miami-Dade County, landlords dropped the average asking rent for a second consecutive quarter, after record highs in early 2024 and late 2023. Yet, institutional investors…

Lease roundup: Aldi, Ross Dress for Less on tap at Swerdlow’s Overtown project, Brickell City Centre lands Marc Jacobs, Anthropologie and more

Retailers are starting to open at developer Michael Swerdlow’s Sawyer’s Walk project in Miami’s Overtown. Already open are Target’s 50,000-square-foot store and Burlington’s 38,000-square-foot store, according to the developers’ news release. Next, Aldi will open in a 25,000-square-foot space and Five Below in a 10,000-square-foot space. In March, Ross Dress for Less will…

Redev Pipeline: Prices Have Collapsed For South Florida Condos 30 Years Or Older as Year End Regs Loom

A wave of aging condos are flooding the market amid looming year-end regulations that could prompt six-figure special assessments. Condo listings rose 60% in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties in the third quarter, and 85% of all listings are condos 30 years or older, according to a new study by real estate brokerage ISG World. Average sale prices for these older…

39-Unit Apartment Building Proposed for 2306 Van Buren Street in Hollywood

A 1940s-era apartment near Hollywood Circle could be demolished to make way for a four-story residential building. The unnamed development would offer 39 apartments, measuring 666 to 1,281 square feet each. The South Florida Business Journal reports that layout plans span one-bedroom to three-bedroom designs, with the average home measuring 824 square feet. Plans call…

PMG acquires development site for waterfront Fort Lauderdale condo project

PMG paid $19.2 million for a waterfront co-op building on Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, as the firm moves forward with plans for a condo tower on the site. The New York and Miami-based firm secured approval from the city’s planning and zoning board for its planned project in October, according to a press release. The developer plans to build Sage Intracoastal Residences…

Bahia Mar developers unveil plans for St. Regis Resort and Residences in Fort Lauderdale

Another St. Regis-branded development is coming to South Florida, planned for Related Group, Tate Capital and Rok Acquisitions’ phased Bahia Mar project. The developers launched sales of the St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, according to a press release. The 40-acre Bahia Mar hosts…

Developers Launch $2B Monaco-Inspired Bahia Mar Redevelopment

To kick off this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show at Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale, the developers who control the property announced a $2B redevelopment they hope will catch the eyes of the superyacht shoppers descending on the area. Related Group, Tate Capital and Rok Acquisitions rolled out their plans Wednesday for a 40-acre luxury resort and residential…

Joint Venture Unveils Plans for $2B Waterfront Mixed-Use Development in Fort Lauderdale

A joint venture between Related Group, Tate Capital and Rok Acquisitions has unveiled plans for Bahia Mar, a $2 billion waterfront mixed-use development located in Fort Lauderdale. The joint venture is developing the 40-acre project in collaboration with Marriott International. Bahia Mar will be anchored by two 23-story condominium towers and a 197-room luxury hotel…

Plans Unveiled for The St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bahia Mar in Fort Lauderdale

Developers Related Group, Tate Capital, and Rok Acquisitions, in partnership with Marriott International, have unveiled plans for The St. Regis Resort and Residences, Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale. This extensive project marks a transformative step for the renowned Bahia Mar Yachting Center, a major marina and host of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS)…

Link lightens South Florida portfolio, sells Fort Lauderdale mixed-use building for $19M

Link Real Estate’s South Florida portfolio just got a little lighter after the Miami-based firm sold a Fort Lauderdale building for $19 million. A Link affiliate sold The Glass Shop, a three-story office and retail building at 105 North Federal Highway, to North Miami Beach-based Jewish Culture High School, records and real estate database Vizzda show. The buyer obtained a $12.9 million…

Dependable Equities launches condo sales of massive Fort Lauderdale project

A Brooklyn developer is launching sales of a 775-unit luxury condo project in Fort Lauderdale, marking one of the biggest new developments planned in the city. Dependable Equities, led by Isaac Schlesinger and Rabsky Group co-owner Simon Dushinsky, tapped Douglas Elliman to lead sales of Ombelle Fort Lauderdale, which is set to rise at 300 Northeast Third Avenue…

La dolce vita: Vertical, GCF launch sales for Italian yacht-branded Fort Lauderdale condos

Vertical Developments, GCF Development and WellDuo are launching sales for a planned luxury condominium in Fort Lauderdale branded by the Italian yacht maker Riva. Prices for the 20-story, 36-unit Riva Residenze building planned for 3019 Harbor Drive start at $3.5 million, according to a press release. Fortune Development Sales is leading sales and marketing…

Italian Yacht Maker Riva The Latest To Lend Brand To Luxury South Florida Condos

A new yacht-branded tower is sailing into Fort Lauderdale. Italian yacht manufacturer Riva will lend its brand to a 20-story luxury condominium building at 3019 Harbor Drive, developers Vertical Developments, WellDuo, and GCF Development announced Wednesday at a press conference during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Named Riva Residenze, the tower…

Morgan, Carlyle land $67M loan for multifamily redevelopment of Pompano Beach Macy’s and parking lot

Morgan Group and Carlyle Group landed a $67 million loan for the redevelopment of a closed Macy’s and adjacent lot in Pompano Beach, where the developers plan a 356-unit apartment complex. The nearly 12-acre property consists of the Macy’s building at 1200 Northeast 12th Street within the Pompano Beach Citi Centre open-air mall, and a parking lot immediately to the south.

Construction Begins on Mosaic Palms Apartments at 7376 Lyons Road near Boynton Beach

Akel Homes has officially broken ground on Mosaic Palms, a new apartment complex west of Boynton Beach, following a $30 million construction loan secured from Seacoast Bank. The Stuart-based bank provided financing to Civic Hypoluxo Holdings, a Delray Beach-based Akel Homes subsidiary. This loan covers the 11.8-acre development site located at 7376 Lyons Road…

Construction Starts on ‘Mosaic Palms’ at 7376 Lyons Road in Boynton Beach

Construction has started on the Mosaic Palms apartments in Palm Beach County. Delray Beach-based Akel Homes is operating as both the developer and general contractor. Scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, the luxury venture will yield five three-story buildings. In total, the Mosaic Palms apartments will offer 187 homes, with floorplans spanning one-bedroom…

Two Downtown West Palm Beach Properties Acquired for Mixed-Use Redevelopment and Revitalization

EBC Capital, a real estate investment and development firm led by Eric Cohen, has acquired two properties in Downtown West Palm Beach for $5.6 million. The properties, located at 303 Gardenia Street and 501 S Olive Avenue, are part of EBC Capital’s plan to support the area’s revitalization, with leases already secured for tenants like men’s sportswear brand Redvanly…

Vanderbilt scores approval for $520M West Palm Beach campus

“Welcome to Palm Beach County,” county Mayor Maria Sachs said, as the room erupted in applause. Sachs had just presided over the unanimous approval of Vanderbilt University’s proposed $520 million graduate school campus in West Palm Beach during the Palm Beach County commission meeting on Tuesday. All seven county commissioners agreed to gift the…

Lowenstein family’s Lionstone buys Pearl condo dev site in Palm Beach Shores

The Lowenstein family’s Lionstone Development bought the site for a planned condo project in Palm Beach Shores. Records show a Lionstone affiliate bought the site at 123 Ocean Avenue from Kannega Glades LLC, a Florida entity managed by developer Deepak Khosa. Lionstone paid $13 million for the property and financed the purchase with a $7.5 million mortgage…

Mark Bellissimo, partners buy back Wellington International showgrounds

Developer Mark Bellissimo and his partners cut a deal to buy back Wellington International, the horse showgrounds at the heart of the village’s equestrian economy, three years after selling the site. The showgrounds play a pivotal role in Bellissimo’s planned 600-acre mixed-use development, the Wellington, a controversial project that will bring hundreds of homes to the equestrian…

Industrial Market Outlook: E-Commerce Resumes Growth

E-commerce, which slowed in 2023 after its pandemic-driven peak, is showing signs of recovery in 2024. According to the latest CommercialEdge national industrial market report, online sales reached $291.6 billion in the second quarter, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous quarter and a 6.7% rise year-over-year. With that, e-commerce now accounts for 18.8% of core…

Will This Market Have the Highest Rent Growth in 2025?

Last week, I commented on the New Residential Construction Report in 5 Graphs for September 2024. For this week’s article, I’ve kept the focus on the multifamily sector and given the recent release of our Q3 2024 Preliminary Trend Announcement, let’s take a look at our latest forecast and explore which regions and metros are poised to experience the highest rent growth…

Emerging Trends Report Predicts Rebound in Transaction Volume in 2025 as Capital Markets Are ‘Poised for Recovery’

At the September meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve lowered the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, which is the first easing of monetary policy in four years. This move lowered the short-term interest rate to a target range of 4.75 to 5 percent. Elevated borrowing costs have stifled commercial real estate transaction volumes the past couple…

No One Likes a Re-Trader in the M&A World

In the world of M&A, one of the quickest ways to damage your reputation and derail a deal is through what’s known as a “re-trade”—attempting to renegotiate the key business terms that were already agreed to in the letter of intent (LOI). While some people might think the LOI is just a non-binding starting point, treating it casually can be a huge mistake, both for…

Video: Joe Sarachek Discusses Distressed Real Estate Investing Playbook

Exploring Distress Investing in the Current Real Estate Market In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show host and guest Joe Sarachek, a managing partner of the Sarachek Law Firm, author of Distress Investing Playbook, and Adjunct Professor at NYU, explored the world of distressed commercial real estate investing. The conversation centered on the…

Report: Absorption Is Positive Across All Property Types According to Third-Quarter Report

Perhaps the most salient information within Lee & Associates’ 2024 Q3 North America Market Report pertains to the office market. The third quarter of 2024 ended nine continuous quarters of negative net absorption in the office sector. However, additional occupancy losses may be on the horizon for the office market, even as supply pressures ease for this property type.

Supersizing retail sales : The growth of large-scale retail

Our previous FRED Blog post covered declining sales at electronics and appliances stores that may be due to consumers’ increased online shopping and diverted foot traffic. Today, we examine those expenditure patterns more closely by comparing recent US Census data on retail sales at general merchandise stores. The FRED graph above shows the value of inflation-adjusted retail…

Retail sales of electronics and appliances : Is online shopping replacing foot traffic?

The US Census reports the monthly value of retail sales grouped into 12 kinds of business activity. The terms for those activities, or industries, come from the outlets where the goods are sold. Think, gasoline stations, sporting goods stores, and home furnishings stores. But when consumers change where they go to purchase these products, the value of retail sales by industry…

If Florida Legalizes Weed On Election Day, CRE Could Feel The Effects ‘Right Away’

Commercial real estate might be the last thing on the minds of Florida voters on Election Day, but when they cast their ballots and vote on the state’s Amendment 3 referendum, which would legalize recreational marijuana, the outcome will have direct impacts on the industry. Amendment 3 needs 60% approval to pass, at which point state lawmakers, many of whom oppose legalization…

The post Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 31, 2024: W South Beach Sells for $400M+; Amazon Seeks 80k sf in Wynwood; $2B Project Planned for Fort Lauderdale; More… appeared first on Hawkins Commercial Realty.

Powered by WPeMatico

Video: Joe Sarachek Discusses Distressed Real Estate Investing Playbook

Exploring Distress Investing in the Current Real Estate Market

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the show host and guest Joe Sarachek, a managing partner of the Sarachek Law Firm, author of Distress Investing Playbook, and Adjunct Professor at NYU, explored the world of distressed commercial real estate investing. The conversation centered on the current state of the market, key strategies for investing in distressed properties, and the nuances of due diligence in this high-stakes field.

Interest Rates and Market Conditions Fueling Distress

The discussion opened with an analysis of how rapid interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve have impacted the economy and, by extension, the commercial real estate sector. As borrowing becomes more expensive, some property owners are struggling to service their debts, creating opportunities for distressed investors to acquire properties at a discount. Sarachek noted that while opportunities for distressed investing seem to loom on the horizon, there is a prevailing sentiment among investors that the market’s most significant distress phase is yet to come.

Location-Specific Factors Contributing to Distress

The podcast touched on specific urban areas experiencing elevated levels of distress, such as New York City’s multifamily market, which has been hit hard by unique regulations and high property taxes. These factors have created conditions where many properties are underwater relative to their loan values. Sarachek mentioned that New York City judges are overloaded with real estate bankruptcy cases, especially in outer boroughs. On the West Coast, San Francisco faces its own set of challenges, with both markets presenting different kinds of opportunities and risks for distressed investors.

Key Principles for Successful Distress Investing

Sarachek highlighted the importance of careful consideration when entering the distressed real estate market, especially in terms of understanding market cycles, timing, and strategy. He emphasized that, in distressed investing, “it’s all in the buy.” Investors must evaluate potential exits and ensure the property is acquired at a price that offers the potential for substantial returns, typically targeting a 30% or higher ROI within a relatively short time frame.

He also underscored the critical distinction between active and passive investors. Active investors seek hands-on involvement, often overseeing property management and asset improvements, while passive investors prefer to partner with reliable operators who handle the day-to-day operations. For those less experienced or without local knowledge, passive investing may be a safer route.

Sourcing Distressed Properties

When it comes to finding distressed investment opportunities, Sarachek encouraged investors to leverage their personal expertise. Whether one has specialized knowledge in hospitality, healthcare, or retail, understanding an industry provides a competitive edge in spotting underpriced or mismanaged properties. The host added that partnering with knowledgeable brokers can provide access to valuable resources and insight into viable distressed properties.

The Importance of Due Diligence

Sarachek emphasized that due diligence is crucial when purchasing distressed assets, particularly when acquiring notes rather than physical properties. Evaluating these notes requires a deep dive into property histories, tenant quality, and the legal framework. Experienced investors look at every document and consider various potential obstacles, such as liens, code violations, and management issues.

The conversation included a real-world example involving a note purchase on a popular wedding venue in New York. Despite initially appearing as an attractive distressed asset, the venue’s owner was entrenched in complex litigation, significantly complicating the acquisition process. Sarachek’s story illustrates the need for thorough due diligence before any investment, as not all deals lead to ownership or immediate returns.

The Role of Legal and Advisory Support

For those entering distressed markets, building a solid team of brokers, legal advisors, and other professionals is essential. Sarachek emphasized that legal complexities in distressed properties can range from state-specific foreclosure laws to bankruptcy proceedings, each of which has implications for recovery timelines and final ownership outcomes. Having advisors who understand both the market and legal landscape can help investors avoid costly mistakes.

Final Thoughts

The episode concluded with a reminder that distressed investing offers unique opportunities for those willing to navigate its complexities, but it is not without significant risk. With interest rates potentially stabilizing and distressed properties presenting opportunities in key urban markets, the time may be right for some investors to start exploring this investment strategy.

As the conversation underscored, knowledge, patience, and professional support are indispensable for navigating the distressed real estate market successfully. Whether an investor’s goal is property acquisition or note-buying, understanding the underlying challenges—and being prepared to face them—will ultimately determine success in this specialized area of real estate.

The post Video: Joe Sarachek Discusses Distressed Real Estate Investing Playbook appeared first on Hawkins Commercial Realty.

Powered by WPeMatico

Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 23, 2024: 505K sf Hialeah Industrial Trades; Record High Miami Industrial Deliveries; Overtown MXU Delivers Retail; More…

Target Opens 50,000 SF Store at Sawyer’s Walk in Miami’s Overtown Neighborhood

Target has opened a new 50,000-square-foot store at Sawyer’s Walk, a 1.5 million-square-foot mixed-use development underway in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood. SG Holdings, a partnership between Swerdlow Group, SJM Partners and Alben Duffie, is the master developer. Construction on the 3.4-acre development began in summer 2021. The project includes a 578-unit…

Sawyer’s Walk Brings New Retail Era to Miami’s Overtown, Featuring Downtown’s First Target Store and More

Sawyer’s Walk (Block 55), the largest mixed-use development in the historic community of Overtown, announces the delivery of the retail component. A brand new Target just opened, and other major retailers are set to open over the coming weeks and months, including a Burlington, Five Below, Aldi supermarket, and Ross Dress for Less, which will serve the immediate…

13-Story ‘Traditional Condo’ Could Replace Closed Truist Bank at 2501 Galiano Street in Coral Gables

The Coral Gables Development Review Committee will review plans for a high-rise mixed-use project. Proposed by 2501 Galiano Street Holdings LLC, the 13-story building would comprise 98,335 square feet of new construction and feature 93 units. Floridian Development notes that 85 would be condos, and the remaining eight would be lodging units. The South Florida…

Race to the top: Developer proposes 1,000-foot-plus mixed-use Brickell supertall

Walter Defortuna, brother of Miami developer and broker Edgardo Defortuna, is proposing a 1,010-foot tall mixed-use tower in Brickell. The plan is the latest in a growing rush of supertall projects in Miami. The 81-story building would consist of 560 residences, 84 hotel keys and a 1,200-space parking podium on the 1.2-acre site at 1414 Brickell Avenue and adjacent lot at 1421 South…

Melo submits $35M stalking horse bid for 16-acre former trailer park in El Portal

Melo Group could expand its development pipeline into El Portal after placing a $35 million stalking horse bid for 16 acres along Biscayne Boulevard. An affiliate of Melo, a Miami-based family run development firm led by brothers Carlos and Martin Melo, made an offer for the former Little Farm Trailer Park at 8500 Biscayne Boulevard that has been managed by a receiver since 2020…

Review targets many changes in Flagler housing project

A developer has plans for a major Miami intersection, bringing new residential housing and a block-long stretch of retail businesses to the area. East Flagler Service Station LLC is the owner-developer of the 27 Flagler project, designed as a 12-story mixed-use building, home to 133 multi-family residential units, about 12,000 square feet of ground floor commercial-retail uses…

OK of 51-story Brickell office tower to fund transit

A 51-story Brickell Avenue office tower with ground-floor retail faces a hearing this week before the county’s comprehensive master plan and zoning board for a general site approval that would add 14% to Class A Brickell office space. If approved, the developer would contribute $1.1 million to improve the Tenth Street Metromover Station and pedestrian uses along….

County OK’s $75 million grant to get convention center hotel going

Miami-Dade has had its foot on a stubborn ground-breaking shovel for a hotel next to the Miami Beach Convention Center for almost a decade. It may just have started to dig in a little last week when commissioners agreed to toss another $75 million into the $500 million-plus project. That could get the 28-month hotel-building task started in early 2025 and opened by 2027.

41-Story ‘Flow House’ Planned for 2025 Unveiling at 697 N Miami Ave in Miami’s CBD

Flow House is an exciting high-rise headed for Miami Worldcenter, a project which its developers call “a nineteen-year secret in the making.” The 41-story tower is currently under construction, having topped off within the past few months. Planned for a 2026 reveal, Flow House will offer 466 fully furnished units, ranging from studios to two-bedroom units.

Tate proposes 348-unit apartment project on its North Miami HQ site, as redevelopment in city’s western side ramps up

Tate Capital proposes a 348-unit apartment project in North Miami, as redevelopment plans for the long-overlooked western side of the city ramp up. The firm, led by brothers Jimmy and Kenny Tate, wants to build a 17-story building with 39,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a 636-space garage on the site of the company’s headquarters, according to records…

OKO Group, Cain International Deliver 57-Story Office Tower in Miami

OKO Group and Cain International have completed the development of 830 Brickell, a 57-story office tower located in Miami. Totaling 640,000 square feet, the fully leased building has now received its temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) from the City of Miami. Tenants — which include Microsoft, Citadel, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Marsh Insurance, Sidley Austin LLP…

Alan Faena heads to the Miami River: Fortune, KAR to launch Faena-branded condos

Developers Edgardo Defortuna and Shahab Karmely plan a Faena District along the Miami River, The Real Deal has learned. Defortuna’s Fortune International Group and Karmely’s KAR Properties are working with Alan Faena on Faena Residences, a planned 440-unit luxury condo development, Defortuna said. The two-tower project will be built on the site at 90 Southwest Third…

JEM Sky Villas with Interiors by FENDI Casa Unveiled at JEM Private Residences in Downtown Miami

Naftali Group has unveiled two luxury penthouses, JEM Sky Villas, with interiors designed by the renowned Italian brand FENDI Casa. Positioned at the top of the 67-story JEM Private Residences, these units showcase FENDI Casa’s signature design collections. Rising over 700 feet at 1016 Northeast 2nd Avenue in Miami Worldcenter, JEM Private Residences is designed…

FPL drops $60M for 350 acres in south Miami-Dade. Could a solar farm be in store?

Florida Power & Light bought nearly 350 acres of land in south Miami-Dade County near a solar panel facility owned by the energy company. Juno Beach-based FPL bought the site between Krome Avenue and Southwest 187th Avenue, south of the Black Creek Canal NO C-1W, in an unincorporated area of the county, according to records and real estate database Vizzda.

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami expanding show space, pays $25M for building on same block

The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami is nearly doubling its show space, paying $25 million for the former home of the de la Cruz Collection. Backed by high-profile Miami developers, the museum acquired a 30,765-square-foot building at 23 and 31 Northeast 41st Street, records and real estate database Vizzda show. The 36,388-square-foot institute, also known as ICA…

Industrial Supply in Miami-Dade Outpaces Absorption for First Time in 4 Years

South Florida is seeing some mixed results for the industrial sector, with Miami-Dade County seeing a big change in supply versus demand. This is based on three separate insight market reports from JLL, which not only evaluated the third quarter performance in Miami-Dade but in Palm Beach and Broward counties too. While Miami-Dade finished the third quarter…

Miami’s Industrial Sector Sees Record High Deliveries

Miami’s industrial sector is currently dealing with a surplus of supply, according to an analysis by Avison Young of the area’s third-quarter performance for the asset class. It found that the city has received more than six million square feet of new inventory, setting a new record, according to the CRE firm. But construction development in the pipeline has eased…

Sale of New 505,518 SF Industrial Property Miami Midway Park in Hialeah Arranged

CBRE has arranged the sale of Miami Midway Park, a four-building industrial park in Hialeah spanning 505,518 square feet. A real estate fund managed by Ares Management purchased the property from a joint venture partnership between Greystar and Butters Construction & Development for an undisclosed price. Jose Lobón, Frank Fallon, Trey Barry, Royce Rose, Devin…

Yes, chef: Terra, Lion Development launch sales of Jean-Georges condo tower Near Midtown Miami

French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is looking to cash in on Miami’s branded condo boom. The Michelin-starred chef is working with David Martin’s Terra and Michael Simkins’ Lion Development Group on Vongerichten’s first residential project, according to a press release. The developers launched sales of Jean-Georges Miami Tropic Residences at 3501 Northeast First…

Developers Hold Topping-Off Ceremony for NoMad Residences Wynwood

The NoMad Residences Wynwood, a new nine-story condominium tower located in the Wynwood Arts District, has officially topped off. Developed by Miami-based Related Group and Manhattan-based developer Tricap, the project is the first residential concept by the NoMad Hotels brand, under parent company Sydell Group. Over 80% of the building’s residences are…

New Jersey Developer Squeezes 378 Apartments Into Downtown Miami Proposal

A 50-story apartment tower with workforce housing is being proposed in Downtown Miami, four blocks west of the Adrienne Arsht Center. The 378-unit project at 1315 NE Miami Court was submitted in a preapplication to the county by Optimum Properties, a Jersey City-based developer and property manager. Optimum is looking to use rapid transit zoning rules…

Thousands of new apartments are here in South Florida (and more are coming)

One out of every 26 new apartments built nationwide since just before the pandemic have been built in South Florida. Over 14,000 new units open just this year. It is a brisk pace for a rental market that was squeezed by few apartments and a spike in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic migration to Florida. Over the past five years, over 74,000 new apartments have been…

Lease roundup: Korean restaurant Bonchon on tap at Moxy South Beach; More…

Korean fried chicken restaurant Bonchon will open at the Moxy Miami South Beach hotel. Bonchon leased 2,900 square feet at 915 Washington Avenue, according to a news release from landlord broker Comras Company. The restaurant is expected to open by year-end. Ryan Brodsky of Colliers represented the tenant, and Vicki Freeman of Comras represented…

How Sunshine, Palm Trees And Tropical Modernism Define Miami Design

Tourists flock to Miami Beach to stroll the streets lined with the city-defining art deco design. But the wave of permanent transplants to the city is staying for the tropical modernism that has for decades underpinned the city’s design ethos. Defined in part by its fondness for wide-open interiors, embrace of indoor-outdoor spaces and commitment to using locally sourced…

Brazilian Firms Target South Florida

Brazilian firms are targeting the South Florida regions to operate their businesses, as they look for opportunities that they wouldn’t get in their own country. According to a report from the state’s commerce organization, SelectFlorida, Brazil ranks as Florida’s second-biggest Latin America investor. Also, more than 100 Brazilian firms operate 115 locations in The Sunshine State.

Miami’s Office Leasing Is At A 4-Year Low As Pandemic-Era Deals Dry Up

Miami is on track to have its worst year of leasing activity since at least 2020 with a dearth of large deals and the average size of a new lease down to 3,682 SF. The 780K SF of third-quarter leasing activity puts Miami at 2.5M SF year-to-date, according to Avison Young. That’s on par with 2020, the worst-performing of the last five years. Large deals that helped propel Miami’s…

Plans Filed for 5-Story Condominium Development at 90 Isle of Venice Drive in Fort Lauderdale

Plans have been filed with Fort Lauderdale’s Development Review Committee (DRC) for the Adria Condominiums, a five-story, roughly 55-foot-tall residential project at 90 Isle of Venice Drive along the Rio Cervante Waterway. Designed by Adache Group Architects, with civil engineering by Craven Thompson and landscaping by EcoPlan, the development is proposed…

Eight-Story Affordable Housing Venture Could Replace Walgreens at 6105 W Sunrise Blvd in Sunrise

Affiliated Development hopes to get approval for an affordable housing venture that would replace a now-shuttered Walgreens in Sunrise, FL. The development would measure eight stories above grade and comprise 415 apartments. One-third of the units (about 138) would be designated as workforce housing, reserved for those earning up to 120 percent of the area median…

Developer Revises Plans for Mixed-Use ‘University Village’, Located at 555 Northwest Spanish River Road in Boca Raton

Boca Raton-based Penn-Florida Cos. has plans for a massive mixed-use venture in Palm Beach County. For starters, University Village will comprise 710 homes. According to the South Florida Business Journal, residences will be an array of apartments, single-family homes, and townhomes, along with options for senior living. They would average 1,007 square feet.

$75M Construction Loan Secured for 201-Room Hotel in West Palm Beach’s NORA District

BD Hotels has secured a $75 million construction loan to develop a 201-room hotel, the Nora Hotel, in the emerging NORA District of West Palm Beach. Metropolitan Commercial Bank provided the loan, which JLL’s Steven Klein and Mark Fisher arranged for financing. BD Hotels is working with NORA District master developers NDT Development, Place Projects…

Richard Born lands $75M construction loan for Nora hotel

BD Hotels, led by New York boutique hotelier Richard Born, and its partners landed a $75 million construction loan for a hotel at downtown West Palm Beach’s Nora District. BD, in partnership with Nora District master developers Place Projects, NDT Development and Wheelock Street Capital, landed the financing for the six-story, 201-key The Nora Hotel, according…

BH, Related add West Palm Beach dev site to growing portfolio

BH Group and Related Group snatched up another development site, paying $34 million for a waterfront lot in West Palm Beach nearby another project the duo are working on. The frequent partners acquired a 0.8-acre property at 2001 North Flagler Drive, which is less than half-a-mile from where Aventura-based BH and Coconut Grove-based Related are co-developing…

West Palm Beach board approves BH, Related’s Ritz-Carlton Residences project

BH Group and Related Group, two of the most prolific development partners in South Florida, can move forward with the first branded luxury condo project along West Palm Beach’s waterfront. On Wednesday, the West Palm Beach Planning Board voted 5-0 to approve the joint venture’s Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach, a planned 26-story high-rise with 138 condo…

Integra picks up 317-unit West Palm apartment complex for $56M

Integra Investments picked up a 317-unit apartment complex in West Palm Beach for $55.5 million, in an otherwise sluggish multifamily investment market. The Miami-based firm bought Monaco Isles at 800 The Pointe Drive from New York-based Axonic Properties, according to Vizzda records. Integra took out a $41 million Freddie Mac loan originated…

Palm Beach County to vote on Vanderbilt campus

Palm Beach County is slated to vote on Vanderbilt University’s proposal for a $520 million graduate school campus. The Board of County Commissioners will consider the creation of a development and conveyance agreement (DCA) for the proposed West Palm Beach campus at its Oct. 22 meeting. Vanderbilt, nicknamed “the Harvard of the South,” presented its vision for a graduate…

Silverstone sells Palm Beach County senior living facility for $24M in deed in lieu of foreclosure deal

Silverstone sold a senior living facility in Palm Beach County for $23.5 million, as part of a three-way deed in lieu of foreclosure deal. The Dallas-based firm sold the two-story, 136-unit building at 8785 Lake Worth Road in an unincorporated area of the county to Walton Street Capital, according to records and real estate database Vizzda. The facility was rebranded Alamar…

Video: First American Economics Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder Discusses Retail Property Outlook, Expectations for 2025

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the discussion delved into the evolving state of the retail real estate market. The featured guest, Xander Snyder, Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist at First American Economics, provided valuable insights into the trends shaping the retail sector, which remains a crucial part of the U.S. economy.

Workforce Stress, Insurance and Resilience Innovations are Key Themes from Climate Week 2024 

Last month in New York City, organizations of all types hosted events as part of Climate Week. In addition to Moody’s event, Climate and Capital: Bridging the Gaps on the Path to Net Zero, I attended events focused on addressing insurance gaps, catalyzing resilience investment, advancements in physical risk data and innovations to address heat stress.  Among the many…

Regional Economy Cooling Slightly, Beige Book Shows

The new Beige Book from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta showed economic activity in the Southeast has continued the slight slowdown that began in July into the current reporting period of September and the first half of October. Contacts reported declines in tourism in the wake of Hurricane Helene, in manufacturing output and commercial real estate, and also…

Protected: Financial Losses of the Florida “Self-Insured” May Be Near a Tenth of State’s GDP

Insurance is an issue in Florida. As a commercial real estate broker, I run into it all the time. It is either decreasing net operating income for an investor or increasing association fees on an industrial condo for an owner user or something. Its effect is everywhere. I’ve found owners can look at insurance as an expense, a requirement with no perceived benefit. I don’t view it this…

Florida Industrial Still Hasn’t Run Out of Gas

Four years after the global pandemic, Florida’s industrial real estate market continues to boom, fueled by a combination of demographic shifts, strong economic fundamentals, limited supply and increasing investment activity. The following analysis explores the key factors behind why the Sunshine State’s capital markets show no signs of slowing down…

Measuring labor market tightness with FRED

Economists measure labor market tightness as the number of job vacancies per unemployed worker, which is a key factor in monetary policymakers’ decisions. In the FRED graph above, the blue line shows the seasonally adjusted number of job openings as a fraction of the number of workers in the labor force since January 2020, just before the pandemic. The red line shows…

New Residential Construction Nationally in 5 Graphs

Table 1: Monthly New Residential Construction, September 2024 Last Friday, the Census Bureau released it New Residential Construction report for September 2024. For today’s article, I pulled together five charts (and one table) to help explain what’s going on in the housing market. In Table 1, you can see that permits, starts, and completions all softened during…

The post Miami Commercial Real Estate News October 23, 2024: 505K sf Hialeah Industrial Trades; Record High Miami Industrial Deliveries; Overtown MXU Delivers Retail; More… appeared first on Hawkins Commercial Realty.

Powered by WPeMatico

Video: First American Economics Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder Discusses Retail Property Outlook, Expectations for 2025

In a recent episode of America’s Commercial Real Estate Show, the discussion delved into the evolving state of the retail real estate market. The featured guest, Xander Snyder, Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist at First American Economics, provided valuable insights into the trends shaping the retail sector, which remains a crucial part of the U.S. economy.

Retail’s Resilience and Consumer Spending
The conversation began with an overview of the retail real estate market’s resilience. Contrary to predictions of retail’s decline during the pandemic, the sector has made a strong recovery in many areas, although challenges persist for certain shopping centers. Snyder emphasized that consumer spending continues to drive the retail sector, but inflation-adjusted figures paint a different picture. When adjusted for inflation, retail sales growth has stagnated, signaling potential headwinds for the future.

Snyder highlighted the importance of separating nominal retail sales from real, inflation-adjusted sales. While nominal sales figures suggest growth, inflation has eroded much of this growth, leaving retail sales flat or even declining in real terms. He pointed out that rising credit card debt and increasing delinquency rates indicate that consumers may face challenges sustaining their current spending levels, especially in light of higher interest rates.

Retail Vacancy and Supply-Demand Dynamics
A critical point in the discussion was the impact of rising interest rates on the retail real estate market. While interest rates have affected all asset classes, Snyder noted that retail has been somewhat insulated due to limited new supply. The lack of new retail space, combined with demolitions of outdated properties, has helped keep vacancy rates low in many markets. Shopping malls, however, remain an exception, with vacancy rates steadily increasing since 2017.

Retail vacancy rates currently range between 2% and 5.5%, which is lower than many other asset classes. The limited availability of retail space has put upward pressure on rents, as tenants have fewer options. This dynamic has helped stabilize retail property prices, even as other commercial real estate sectors have faced more significant price declines.

Future Performance and Investor Opportunities
Looking ahead, Snyder predicted that retail rents might face pressure due to stagnating consumer spending, but the ongoing supply shortage will likely limit any significant declines. He expressed optimism for certain types of retail, particularly experiential retail—businesses that provide services or experiences that cannot be replicated online. These types of properties have proven resilient, and Snyder expects them to continue performing well in the face of consumer spending challenges.

Snyder also discussed geographic variations in retail performance, pointing out that suburban, car-dependent retail locations have fared better than urban core retail properties. He sees potential opportunities for investors in urban retail spaces, where prices have declined, creating opportunities for value-add investments.

Transaction Volume and Cap Rates
As for transaction volume, Snyder noted that retail, like most commercial real estate sectors, has seen a slowdown in recent years due to rising interest rates. However, he expects transaction activity to pick up as interest rates stabilize and buyers gain confidence in their underwriting. The show host and Snyder both observed that sellers have become more realistic about property values, recognizing that the low-interest-rate environment of recent years had inflated prices.

In terms of cap rates, Snyder expressed cautious optimism. He believes cap rates for retail properties are stabilizing and could even begin to decline as the market reaches an inflection point. This stabilization would provide a boost to property values, offering investors renewed confidence in the retail sector’s potential.

Distress and Development Opportunities
The discussion also touched on distress opportunities in the retail market, particularly in the shopping mall sub-sector. While Snyder doesn’t foresee widespread distress across the retail landscape, he does see potential for creative investors to capitalize on struggling mall properties by converting them into mixed-use developments or other innovative uses.

For new development, Snyder acknowledged that the high cost of financing and construction has limited new retail supply, but he sees potential for new projects in the future as the supply-demand imbalance continues. Developers who can navigate these challenges may find opportunities in markets with strong demand and limited retail space.

Conclusion
The episode concluded with a reminder that retail real estate remains a fascinating and resilient sector. Despite the challenges posed by inflation, rising interest rates, and shifting consumer behavior, opportunities abound for investors, developers, and tenants who can adapt to the evolving landscape. Whether through creative reuse of mall spaces or investments in well-located retail properties, the retail real estate market offers a dynamic and promising future.

The post Video: First American Economics Senior Commercial Real Estate Economist Xander Snyder Discusses Retail Property Outlook, Expectations for 2025 appeared first on Hawkins Commercial Realty.

Powered by WPeMatico