Los Angeles, 2017-Mar-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Hong Kong is the world’s highest-priced office market, according to CBRE Group, Inc.’s new Global Prime Office Rents survey. European markets showed the most consistent growth in prime office rent, mostly due to a lack of supply. Belfast (up 25 percent year-over-year) led the way among the 121 cities surveyed.
Hong Kong had two of the top three most expensive office markets. Hong Kong’s (Central) held the top spot with prime office rent of US$264 per sq. ft. per year and Hong Kong (West Kowloon) (US$163 per sq. ft.) was third. Rounding out the top five were two Chinese markets — Beijing (Finance Street) (US$179 per sq. ft.) at #2 and Beijing (Central Business District (CBD)) (US$156 per sq. ft.) at #4 — and London’s West End (US$146 per sq. ft.). The most expensive market in North America was New York (Midtown Manhattan), number six on the global list, with a prime office rent of US$144 per sq. ft.
Global prime office rents—which reflect rent, excluding local taxes and service charges for the highest-quality, “prime” office properties—rose 2.3 percent compared with a year-earlier for the 12 months ended [December 31, 2016], with EMEA up 3.7 percent and Asia Pacific and the Americas each up 1.8 percent.
Four of the top five fastest-growing (prime office rents) markets were in Europe, with Stockholm, Berlin and Dublin joining Belfast on the list. Chicago (Downtown), with rent growth of 19.9 percent was the top market in the Americas and was number two on the global list. Hong Kong (West Kowloon) with a rent rise of 9.3 percent was the top growth market in Asia.
“We expect the global economy to pick up momentum with growth boosted by fiscal expansion in the U.S.,” said Richard Barkham, global chief economist, CBRE. “Growth was underpinned by positive monetary conditions in Europe and increased government spending in China, both of which are expected to continue.”
CBRE tracks office rents for prime office space in 121 markets around the globe. Of the top 50 “most expensive” markets, 20 were in Asia Pacific, 19 were in EMEA and 11 were in the Americas.
Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA)
Europe has seen the strongest rent increase due to low supply and high demand. Stockholm, Berlin and Dublin had significant rent growth. However, rents in London’s West End fell by 6.3 percent as activity waned in the wake of the Brexit referendum. In Istanbul, rents fell by 11.1 percent, largely due to political instability in the area.
30 of the 56 EMEA markets recorded a year-over-year increases in prime office rents.
Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific led the list of most expensive prime office rents with seven of the top 10 most expensive markets—Hong Kong (Central), Beijing (Finance Street), Hong Kong (West Kowloon), Beijing (CBD), Tokyo (Marunouchi/Otemachi), Shanghai (Pudong) and New Delhi (Connaught Place – CBD).
Prime rent growth in Asia Pacific averaged 1.8 percent and was strongest in gateway cities. Hong Kong (West Kowloon) led the way at 9.3 percent due to strong demand from Chinese companies for premium locations and very tight supply conditions. Technology start-ups have played a key role in the fastest-growing markets in Asia Pacific, such as Bangalore, Sydney, Bangkok and Auckland.
The most expensive market in the global ranking from the Pacific Region was Sydney (US$78 per sq. ft.), in 20th place.
Americas
In the Americas, three markets—Chicago (Downtown), Seattle (Suburban) and Seattle (Downtown) showed double-digit growth in prime office rents year-over-year, due to a lack of new construction in Chicago and technology growth in Seattle.
Several markets dependent on the oil and gas industry experienced lowered prime office rents, including Calgary (Downtown and Suburban), Houston (Downtown) and Denver (Downtown).
Overall, office rents increased in 19 out of 34 U.S. markets covered in this survey.
Mexico City was the most expensive market in Latin America, with prime office rent of US$50 per sq. ft. and ranking as the 40th most expensive market globally. Prime office rents in São Paulo declined but Buenos Aires saw a modest increase.
Note: The full Top 50 Most Expensive Markets chart is located at the end of this press release.
Notes
1. The Global Prime Office Rents report is a survey of office rents for prime office space in 121 cities worldwide.
2. The survey provides data on office rents as of December 31, 2016.
3. The Largest Annual Changes rankings are based upon occupancy costs in local currency and measure. The Most Expensive ranking is based upon occupancy costs in US$ per sq. ft. per annum.
4. The figures given in this release refer to office rents. This represents rent on a net-basis (exclusive of service charges and taxes). The office rent figures have also been adjusted to reflect different measurement practices from market to market.
5. Due to methodology changes, comparisons with figures in previously released reports are not valid.
6. To obtain a full copy of the report or to arrange to speak with a CBRE expert, please contact Robert McGrath (robert.mcgrath@cbre.com).
CBRE’s Global Prime Office Rents survey is performed semi-annually.
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2016 revenue). The company has more than 75,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate investors and occupiers through approximately 450 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers a broad range of integrated services, including facilities, transaction and project management; property management; investment management; appraisal and valuation; property leasing; strategic consulting; property sales; mortgage services and development services. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
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Source: CBRE Group, Inc.