Greater Toronto REALTORS(R) Report Commercial Market Figures

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 7, 2015) - Toronto Real Estate Board President Paul Etherington announced that TREB Commercial Network Members reported 5,776,322 square feet of leased industrial, commercial/retail and office space during the first quarter of 2015. This result represented a substantial 28.2 per cent year-over-year increase in space leased, which was driven by a 33.4 per cent increase in leased industrial space. The industrial segment accounted for 78 per cent of total space leased.

The average first quarter industrial lease rate for properties leased on a per square foot net basis with pricing disclosed was $5.39. This result was up by 4.8 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2014. The average commercial/retail lease rate was down over the same period by 4.9 per cent to $19.46. The average office lease rate was up by 2.8 per cent to $12.64.

"The economic situation in Canada remained uncertain through the first quarter of 2015, but the consensus view is that economic growth during the past three months was subdued. However, against this backdrop, the industrial leasing news for the Greater Toronto Area was certainly a positive. The fact that industrial firms were taking on more space adds credence to the argument that Ontario, including the GTA, may be one of the key beneficiaries of the lower Canadian dollar. Many of these firms may have experienced an actual increase in sales or are anticipating increases moving forward," said Mr. Etherington.

Total sales in the first quarter were down by 28.9 per cent year-over-year to 187 from 263 transactions reported in 2014. Declines in the number of deals were noted across all three major market segments. While the number of transactions was down, average selling prices on a per square foot basis (where pricing was disclosed) were up for industrial and office properties, and down for commercial/retail properties.

"As we move through the spring, we should have a better indication of how Canadian economic conditions will unfold and ultimately effect commercial real estate markets in the GTA. It is quite possible that we will see some period-to-period volatility in leasing and sales figures, but it would appear that the GTA economy and commercial real estate market is comparatively well-positioned within Canada," continued Mr. Etherington.

First Quarter 2015: All Commercial Lease Transactions

Total Leased Space for All Lease Transaction Types on TorontoMLS

Total Leased Square Feet
	Q1 2015	Q1 2014	% Change
Industrial	4,525,318	3,393,108	33.4	%
Commercial	619,713	521,238	18.9	%
Office	631,291	590,781	6.9	%
Total	5,776,322	4,505,127	28.2	%

Source: TREB Commercial Division

First 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
	Q1 2015		Q1 2014		% Change
Industrial	$	5.39	$	5.14	4.8	%
Commercial	$	19.46	$	20.47	-4.9	%
Office	$	12.64	$	12.30	2.8	%

Source: TREB Commercial Division

First Quarter 2015: All Commercial Sale Transactions

Total Number of Sales on TorontoMLS

Total Sales
	Q1 2015	Q1 2014	% Change
Industrial	80	103	-22.3	%
Commercial	72	113	-36.3	%
Office	35	47	-25.5	%
Total	187	263	-28.9	%

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

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

	Q1 2015		Q1 2014		% Change
Industrial	$	95.81	$	83.82	14.3	%
Commercial	$	172.55	$	216.13	-20.2	%
Office	$	225.82	$	184.02	22.7	%

Source: TREB Commercial Division

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.