Commercial Market Figures in Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Real Estate Board President Tim Syrianos announced that TREB Commercial Network members reported 503,891 square feet of combined industrial, commercial/retail and office space leased through the TREB MLS® System, on a per square foot net basis with pricing disclosed, in February 2018. This result was up from 467,247 square feet of leased space reported in February 2017. The industrial market segment accounted for 85 per cent of space leased. The average industrial lease rate was $6.61 per square foot net – up by 2.8 per cent compared to
February 2017. Average lease rates were also up for the commercial/retail and office segments, but more so due to a change in the mix of properties leased this year compared to last.
“The Canadian economy and GTA economy therein have been performing well. The unemployment rate in the GTA dropped by a full percentage point over the past year.
With this in mind, it makes sense that the demand for industrial space was up strongly on a year-over-year basis. However, looking forward, it will be important to closely monitor
trade discussions taking place between Canada and the United States. The outcome of these discussions will certainly impact goods producing sectors and, by extension, the
demand for industrial space,” said Mr. Syrianos.
The number of commercial property sales were down on a year-over-year basis in February. Total industrial, commercial/retail and office property transactions amounted to
28 – down from 60 a year earlier. The number of sales was down for all major market segments. It is important to note that the timing of transactions can be quite volatile. One
month does not necessarily point to the emergence of a discernable trend. Year-over-year annual growth rates for selling prices, reported on a per square foot basis
for transactions with pricing disclosed were mixed. In all cases, changes in the mix of properties sold this year compared to last played a large role in average price changes.