Commercial Properties, Inc., Arizona’s largest locally owned commercial real estate brokerage, released a brief overview of Phoenix’s commercial real estate activity, and reports on the top five transactions in June from second quarter.

Jeff Hays, Sr. vice president Corporate Services
Jeff Hays, Sr. vice president Corporate Services

Jeff Hays, senior vice president of Corporate Services commented on the Phoenix industrial sector”  “In general, the industrial market continues to improve in deal velocity, especially in the 25,000-100,000-square-foot range.”

Hays has accumulated over 30 years of experience in Industrial sales, leasing and investments.

“There have been several new cross-dock and maintenance facilities recently constructed in the Southwest Submarket, including Old Dominion Freight Line at 79th Avenue and Van Buren Street, and R+L Carriers at 43rd Avenue and Gibson Lane.  The Phoenix leasing market ranges from $350-$500/door, depending on the age, size (number of doors/site), and general condition of the terminal,” Hays added.

 

Eric Butler
Eric Butler, vice president of Sales and Leasing

Eric Butler, vice president of Sales and Leasing in CPI’s Scottsdale Office Group said on the second quarter office activity for Phoenix:  “Demand for office space continues to improve, which has provided some lift, resulting in higher rental rates in most segments.  We are observing increased competition between tenants. Landlords are receiving multiple bids on suites and offering less free rent up front compared to last quarter.  Outside broker commissions in some areas are starting to return to pre-recession levels, helping Landlords with their bottom line profitability.  Location and quality space continues to be the priority for users; however, there are fewer choices for those types of space, which is driving up competition for nicer properties.”

Thomas K. Semancik
Thomas K. Semancik

Thomas K. Semancik has been actively involved in the sale of commercial real estate in Arizona since 1993. Semancik said on the Phoenix second quarter retail sector activity: “The greater Phoenix retail investment market is experiencing higher prices as vacancy drops.  Class “B” and “C” properties are finally filling up after the great recession. Overall capitalization rates have risen slightly possibly due to the sale of these “B” and “C” properties to late comers to the marketplace. This trend is coupled with a divergent trend toward quality at the top; investors are aggressively paying for retail properties that meet all the right criteria for location, age and tenant mix.

“Many of these buyers are coming from California and the Pacific Northwest where prices have skyrocketed, making Phoenix prices appear more affordable.  A final influence in the current retail market is the re-emergence of investors completing IRS Section 1031 exchanges, which had diminished greatly in the downturn,” Semancik added.

Donn Kinzle, vice president of CPI’s Land Group
Donn Kinzle, vice president of CPI’s Land Group

Donn Kinzle, vice president of CPI’s Land Group, commented on the Phoenix land sector:  “By projecting out the current demographic trends in Arizona over the next ten years, the data shows that land will be a very strong investment for the future. The primary driving force for all land sales in the second quarter of this year was the sale of single-family land parcels. Strengthening home prices and increased permitting continues to add a strong foothold for the local land markets. One interesting side note to the current Arizona land market is the addition of water rights. We are seeing investment groups that are investing in farm properties for water rights and certificates.”

In total, the firm completed 185 transactions in June for a total of 6,587,370 square feet.

Some of the firm’s transactions of note include:

Trent Rustan and Josh Gosnell represented the buyer in the purchase of the 108,040-square-foot Corporate Center at Kierland. This Class A office property is located at 14635 N. Kierland Blvd., in Scottsdale.  Kierland Sky, LLC purchased the property for $24.35 million.

Brandon Koplin and Dave Nash represented the seller of a 25,994-square-foot office building located at 4811 N. 7th St. in Phoenix. The buyer, WDF – 4 Wood Camelback Owner, LLC purchased the property for $4.65 million in total consideration.

Ken Elmer and Ron Schooler completed a sale for the owner of the 19,132-square-foot, Class B office building at 13845 N. Northsight Blvd. in Scottsdale that sold for $3.8 million. Elmer and Schooler also sold represented the buyer in the purchase of The Links in Scottsdale.  The 15,816-square-foot fully leased office building is located at 15615 N. 71st St. and sold for $3.3 million in total consideration.

Tyson Breinholt and Shane McCormick represented the buyer in the purchase of Gilbert Cove, an office medical center originally built in 1983.  The 26,654-square-foot complex was 89.5 percent leased and is located at 1400 N. Gilbert Rd. in Gilbert just south of the U.S. 60 freeway.  Community Investments, LLC., purchased the property for $3.22 million in total consideration.