If you find yourself thinking that the GTA Industrial market is a little bit crazy – that’s because it is.

From over 800 million square feet of space with 0.6% vacancy and rents doubling over the past five years, to industrial land selling for up to $4 million an acre and beyond… What we are currently experiencing is a rare confluence of events.

Industrial occupiers are fighting for space. Investors are repositioning portfolios and pouring billions into the asset class. Meanwhile, developers (and brokers) are scouring planning reports for newly designated parcels of land. Product is most definitely king.

The ironic part of it all is that the frenzy seems to be coming to a head just as inventory dries up and both shortages and inflation make development more costly than ever. Or perhaps I’m wrong and we’re just getting started. Only time will tell.

Does this mean there are no deals out there? No!

Acquiring and developing industrial assets has certainly become more expensive, however, opportunity awaits those who can creatively dig it up. The market is as busy as ever, although it feels as if it is on a never-ending treadmill trying to bring onboard more supply.

Industrial facilities are the backbone of our real (and quickly digitizing) economy. Supply chain shortages have spurred the slow trickle of manufacturing on-shoring. Booming online sales have made logistics and warehousing facilities highly sought-after. The behemoths who have profited the most over the past two years have an insatiable appetite for space and are willing to pay a premium. As a result, and thanks to their relative simplicity, dependability, and low risk, these facilities have attracted enormous amounts of capital.

Which is why – over the next several weeks – we will examine some of the major transactions that have recently occurred in the GTA industrial market.

Investment and portfolio sales. Land transactions. Value-add plays. Proposed developments.

Because, whether you are an investor or occupier looking to buy or sell, it’s important to gauge the market in order to develop the right strategy.

For this week’s newsletter, we’ll continue our conversation with a look at some of the most valuable industrial land transactions that took place across the GTA.

Head-Turning Industrial Land Sales Across the GTA

GTA Central

GTA North

GTA West

GTA East

While not every parcel of industrial land has increased to $3M, $4M, or even $5M an acre – yet – in general, land values have appreciated phenomenally across the board. As long as the asset is zoned, serviced, can be serviced, or is at least designated – or thought to be designated someday soon – for employment zoning, then chances are there is a Party out there willing to pay a premium for it.

This rings especially true if the land in question is proximal to any major transportation routes or nodes, or is within a reasonable distance to a municipality or industrial cluster. However, it must be said that historical trends are not necessarily forward-looking statements that this pattern will continue into the future.

In a sense, industrial land was undervalued for many years, as is reflected by the fact that general industrial land would sell for well under $500,000 an acre; with agricultural land going for as little as $50,000 an acre, or less. It wasn’t until the rise of the logistics, e-commerce, and warehousing sectors – and the subsequent appetite for industrial product – that land became such a prized asset.

That all said, availabilities are at all-time lows and investors are keen to deploy capital. Land can not only provide an avenue to develop a state-of-the-art facility, but it offers an opportunity for private investors to take the first step towards generational wealth.

Many owners who acquired and held onto land over the past 30 to 50 years have an excellent opportunity to partner with capital to develop and generate immense cashflow, or capitalize on the enormous appreciation to exit for retirement or reinvestment opportunities.

Will values keep rising? No one knows, however, there are plenty of institutional buyers looking to get their hands on prime land parcels if you are considering selling or developing.  

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 29 years.

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

Over the past 29 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.

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