Greater Toronto REALTORS® Report Commercial Market Figures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 7, 2016) - Toronto Real Estate Board President Larry Cerqua announced that TREB Commercial Network Members reported a combined 423,206 square feet of leased industrial, commercial/retail and office space in August 2016. This result was up from 317,157 square feet of leased space in August 2015.

Year-over-year changes in average lease rates on a per square foot net basis, where pricing was disclosed, were mixed. The average industrial lease rate was $6.51 per square foot net compared to $4.21 a year earlier. The change was largely due to the fact that fewer larger properties were leased this past August compared to last year. Larger properties generally lease for less per square foot, all else being equal.

Similarly, the average commercial/retail lease rate was down considerably in August 2016 compared to the same period last year. This was largely due to some larger properties changing hands relative to August 2015. The average office lease rate was $13.92 per square foot net - up from $12.53 last year.

"The year-over-year uptick in leased space this past August is an encouraging sign and points to the fact that the GTA benefits from one of the stronger regional economies in Canada. The fact that we are seeing growth in average earnings above the rate of inflation suggests that a broad array of skillsets is in demand by employers. A relatively tight labour market may also mean that an increasing number of businesses will be looking to take on more space," said Mr. Cerqua.

Total industrial, commercial/retail and office sales amounted to 48 in August 2016, down slightly from 56 in August 2015. Average sale prices on a per square foot basis were up for all market segments, but largely due to a change in the mix of properties sold over the past year.

August 2016: Per Square Foot Net Commercial Leasing Summary
Lease Transactions Completed on a Per Square Foot Net Basis with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS
		Leased Square Feet									Average Lease Rate
											Aug.			Aug.			%
		Aug. 2016		Aug. 2015		% Change					2016			2015			Change
Industrial		208,770		234,128		-10.8	%		Industrial		$	6.52		$	4.21		55.1	%
Commercial		153,809		44,661		244.4	%		Commercial		$	14.91		$	22.82		-34.7	%
Office		60,627		38,368		58.0	%		Office		$	13.92		$	12.53		11.1	%
Total		423,206		317,157		33.4	%

August 2016: Commercial Sales Completed with Pricing Disclosed on TorontoMLS
		Sales (Price Disclosed)							Avg. Sale Price Per Sq. Ft. (Pricing Disclosed)
																	%
		Aug. 2016		Aug. 2015		% Change					Aug. 2016			Aug. 2015			Change
Industrial		9		18		-50.0	%		Industrial		$	147.29		$	102.30		44.0	%
Commercial		28		31		-9.7	%		Commercial		$	172.90		$	141.24		22.4	%
Office		11		7		57.1	%		Office		$	494.08		$	357.93		38.0	%
Total		48		56		-14.3	%
Source: TREB
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 45,000 residential and commercial TREB Members serve consumers in the Greater Toronto Area. TREB is Canada's largest real estate board.

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