GTA REALTORS(R) Release Commercial Market Figures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 7, 2015) - Toronto Real Estate Board President Mark McLean announced that TREB Commercial Network Members reported 5,896,493 square feet of leased industrial, commercial/retail and office space during the second quarter of 2015. This result was little changed from Q2 2014 when a total of 5,806,376 square feet of space was leased. The industrial segment accounted for almost three quarters of total space leased.

The average second quarter industrial lease rate for properties leased on a per square foot net basis with pricing disclosed was $5.42, representing a 6.5 per cent year-over-year increase compared to the second quarter of 2014. The average commercial/retail lease rate was up over the same period by 1.6 per cent to $19.27. The average office lease rate was down by 8.6 per cent to $12.27.

"The fact that second quarter industrial leasing activity remained quite strong on a year-over-year basis, and was coupled with a respectable annual increase in the average lease rate, suggests that many firms in the GTA have taken on new space with the expectation that their businesses will expand moving forward," said Mr. McLean.

Total sales in the second quarter were down by 22.1 per cent year-over-year to 250 from 321 transactions reported in Q2 2014. The number of deals reported were down on a relatively uniform basis across major property classes. Average selling prices on a per square foot basis, where pricing was disclosed, were marginally lower for the industrial and commercial/retail property segments. The average selling price was up considerably for office properties, but this was largely due to a different mix of properties sold this year compared to last, specifically in the City of Toronto.

"The latest results for Canadian gross domestic product suggest that the dip in the oil and gas sector continued to be a drag on the overall economy in the second quarter. Looking ahead, the GTA economy stands to benefit from the decline in value of the Canadian dollar, especially in export-oriented sectors. However, the timing for these benefits to materialize may be longer than originally expected, which may be prompting some would-be property investors to remain on the sidelines," continued Mr. McLean.

Second Quarter 2015: All Commercial Lease Transactions

Total Leased Space for All Lease Transaction Types on TorontoMLS

Total Leased Square Feet
	Q2 2015	Q2 2014	% Change
Industrial	4,387,558	4,245,144	3.4	%
Commercial	719,521	799,714	-10.0	%
Office	789,413	761,518	3.7	%
Total	5,896,493	5,806,376	1.6	%

Second Quarter 2015: Per Square Foot Net Commercial Leasing Summary

Lease Transactions Completed on a Per Square Foot Net Basis with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS

Average Lease Rate
	Q2 2015	Q2 2014	% Change
Industrial	$5.42	$5.09	6.5	%
Commercial	$19.27	$18.96	1.6	%
Office	$12.27	$13.43	-8.6	%

Second Quarter 2015: All Commercial Sale Transactions

Total Number of Sales on TorontoMLS

	Total Sales
	Q2 2015	Q2 2014	% Change
Industrial	110	133	-17.3	%
Commercial	100	132	-24.2	%
Office	40	56	-28.6	%
Total	250	321	-22.1	%

Second Quarter 2015: Commercial Sales Completed with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS

Avg. Sale Price Per Sq. Ft. (Pricing Disclosed)

	Q2 2015	Q2 2014	% Change
Industrial	$97.30	$98.35	-1.1	%
Commercial	$138.98	$142.72	-2.6	%
Office	$235.51	$171.01	37.7	%

Source: Toronto Real Estate Board

NOTE: Some table totals may differ due to conversion and rounding.

Greater Toronto REALTORS® are passionate about their work. They are governed by a strict Code of Ethics and share a state-of-the-art Multiple Listing Service. Over 40,000 TREB Members serve consumers in the Greater Toronto Area. TREB is Canada's largest real estate board.