Sector Remains Ablaze with Rent Growth in Five Major Markets Topping 20%
February 02, 2022
HOUSTON – The national industrial market continues to shatter records across key metrics, according to Transwestern’s fourth quarter U.S. Industrial Market report. Vacancy dropped to 4.3% during the quarter, its lowest rate in almost 25 years – a result of unrelenting demand and delivery of less than 100 million square feet of space nationally. Net absorption registered 650 million square feet for 2021, obliterating the occupancy growth record set in 2018 (431 million square feet) and more than double 2020’s figure.
“The industrial sector continues its tear, evidenced by yet another remarkable quarter,” said Matthew Dolly, Research Director at Transwestern. “Rents grew in every market, even those that have historically commanded rates well above the national average. Economic conditions, consumer behavior and supply chain snarls all play a role: More investors are looking to real estate as a hedge against rising inflation, and logistics firms need the space.”
The U.S. average asking rent ended the year at $7.20 per square foot, increasing at the fastest pace for a calendar year since the start of the pandemic. Over 75% of tracked markets saw rents rise by more than 5% throughout 2021, with five markets – Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Baltimore, New Jersey and Philadelphia – exceeding 20%.
Many coastal markets continue to report the lowest availability as a percent of stock. Over the course of the year, markets experiencing the largest decreases in availability included Las Vegas, Cincinnati, and San Diego.
Product under construction skyrocketed to 713 million square feet at year end, just three quarters after bulldozing through the 500-million-square-foot barrier. Growth is most pronounced in the Sun Belt, with Savannah, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Charleston, South Carolina, reporting under construction stock exceeding 10% of total inventory.
“There remains a great deal of optimism surrounding industrial real estate from both a warehouse/distribution and manufacturing perspective, as well as from an investment standpoint. We expect continued strong performance for the sector for the foreseeable future,” Dolly said.
Download the full fourth quarter 2021 U.S. industrial market report here.
Insight from Transwestern CEO Larry Heard on industrial real estate can be found here.
About Transwestern Real Estate Services
Transwestern Real Estate Services (TRS) adds value for investors, owners and occupiers of all commercial property types through a comprehensive perspective and by providing solutions grounded in sound market intelligence. Part of the Transwestern companies, the firm applies a consultative approach to Agency Leasing, Asset Services, Tenant Advisory + Workplace Solutions, Capital Markets, and Research & Investment Analytics.
The privately held Transwestern companies have been delivering a higher level of personalized service and innovative real estate solutions since 1978. Through an integrated, customized approach that begins with good ideas, the firm drives value for clients across commercial real estate services, development, and investment management. Operating from 33 U.S. offices, Transwestern extends its platform capabilities globally through strategic alliance partners whose unique geographic, cultural, and business expertise fuels creative solutions. Learn more at transwestern.com and @Transwestern.
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