Looking at the current inventory numbers, we have over 800M SF of industrial space across the GTA; yet Ajax’s share is just shy of 9M SF (about 1.1%). In 2021, however, Ajax had a disproportionately higher amount of absorption (8.35%) and new supply (12.1%) – with the total being net negative.

The availability rate in Ajax sits at just 0.4% and should further tighten with the broader market. Furthermore, rental rates are at a considerable discount to other submarkets, yet these too will catch up as supply further diminishes and businesses look to the GTA East for opportunity.

Ajax Industrial Properties Available for Lease – 20,000 SF+

Ajax Industrial Properties Available for Sale – 20,000 SF+

Interesting Facts about Ajax’s Industrial Market

Blackwood/Crestpoint Development (GTA East Industrial Park)

2. H&M Set to Occupy Approximately 716,000 SF at GTA East Industrial Park

Joining Amazon in the GTA East Industrial Park, Swedish retailer H&M will occupy the 716,000 SF, Building B. The facility will have 40’ clear heights, 113 truck-level and 4 drive-in doors, as well as parking for 187 trailers and 342 vehicles. The building is expected to be completed in early Q4 2022.

GTA East Industrial Park, Building B, Rendering. Source: Blackwood/Crestpoint via Renx.

Conclusion

If we keep at our current pace, it’s conceivable that we may get to a 0% availability across the GTA, aside from brief periods between Tenants, design-build projects, or speculative construction (which are themselves often pre-leased well in advance). For those businesses looking to purchase or lease existing space, things will only become more challenging and competitive.

These points underscores the tremendous value of land. While land is becoming increasingly expensive, municipalities such as Ajax are hungry to attract investment from developers and businesses, and offers both incentives and a relative discount to other submarkets. Land also offers a level of predictability in cost and assurances in occupancy, should you get your hands on some.

It is for these reasons that we believe Ajax’s industrial real estate market is poised for further growth in the coming years, provided the municipality brings more employment land onboard. Not only that, but its access to transportation routes and the labour pool further position it as an up-and-coming submarket (a title we feel it has already earned but that will be widely accepted).

In the coming weeks, we will continue our examination of various submarkets with the aim of uncovering potential opportunities and strategies for industrial Owners and Occupiers. In the meantime, if you are an owner of industrial land or property with redevelopment potential, there are plenty of institutional and private buyers who would be willing to pay a premium to take it off your hands.

For a confidential consultation or a complimentary opinion of value of your property please give us a call.

Until next week…

Goran Brelih and his team have been servicing Investors and Occupiers of Industrial properties in Toronto Central and Toronto North markets for the past 30 years.

Goran Brelih is a Senior Vice President for Cushman & Wakefield ULC in the Greater Toronto Area.

Over the past 30 years, he has been involved in the lease or sale of approximately 25.7 million square feet of industrial space, valued in excess of $1.6 billion dollars while averaging between 40 and 50 transactions per year and achieving the highest level of sales, from the President’s Round Table to Top Ten in GTA and the National Top Ten.

Goran is a Past President of the SIOR ‐ Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, Central Canadian Chapter.

Specialties:
Industrial Real Estate Sales and Leasing, Investment Sales, Design-Build and Land Development

About Cushman & Wakefield ULC.
Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 53,000 employees in 400 offices and 60 countries.

In 2020, the firm had revenue of $7.8 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation and other services. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.

For more information on GTA Industrial Real Estate Market or to discuss how they can assist you with your real estate needs please contact Goran at 416-756-5456, email at goran.brelih@cushwake.com, or visit www.goranbrelih.com.

Connect with Me Here! – Goran Brelih’s Linkedin Profile: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/goranbrelih