Commercial Real Estate News Toronto – August 2010

The market has been busy for me over August.  I didn’t get to take a holiday!  If you would like additional information on the Toronto commercial real estate market reach out to me.

Artis REIT targets expansion in Toronto area – Artis REIT

Artis REIT is moving east, buying C$116.5 million ($114 million) worth of Toronto real estate after years of focusing nearly exclusively on Western Canada. Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Artis is part of a wave of Canadian real estate investment trusts targeting acquisitions this year, betting on Canada’s economic recovery and renewed demand for office space.

Reuters Wed Aug 04 2010 – Canada News Wire – Globe and Mail

Whiterock REIT’s Q2 operating profits rise – Whiterock REIT – WRK.UN-T

Whiterock REIT, a Toronto-based property owner, reports its operating profits in the second quarter rose to nearly $9.6 million from $9 million. The company said Tuesday its funds from operations, a widely used measure that reflects the financial health of publicly traded real estate companies, jumped to just over $6 million or 41 cents a diluted unit from $3.4 million or 39 cents.

Winnipeg Free Press Wed Aug 04 2010 – Canada News Wire

TREB Commercial REALTORS® Report Monthly Commercial Figures

In July, TREB Commercial Members reported 724,590 square feet of leased space – a 132 per cent increase from the 312,771 square feet of leased space recorded in July of 2009. By category, TREB Commercial Members leased 644,830 square feet of industrial space, up 176 per cent over last July’s total of 233,342 square feet. In addition, they leased 47,406 square feet of commercial space, up 20 per cent over July 2009’s 39,575 figure.

Market Wire Mon Aug 09 2010

$3.5-million, 125 metre flagpole planned for North York

Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti and one of his struggling North York neighbourhoods are on the verge of building the tallest flagstaff in North America. The 125-metre pole would bear a Canadian flag the size of a football field. Mr. Mammoliti and the Emery Village BIA approved in May a one-time special levy that will see the BIA’s 2,500 business owners pay the full $3.5-million cost of the flagpole.

Globe and Mail Fri Aug 13 2010

HST has greater impact than interest rates, says survey

A survey conducted by Royal LePage Real Estate Services says that people in Ontario and B. C. have misconceptions about how the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) affects real estate transactions. When respondents were asked to provide examples of comments heard from buyers and sellers regarding the HST and its effect on the housing market, almost half of the comments indicated that confusion about HST remains more than one month after its introduction.

REM Online Mon Aug 16 2010

Commercial real estate rebounds in first half of 2010

The Canadian commercial real estate market rebounded sharply in the first half of 2010, with the value of deals increasing by 60 per cent as the debt markets recovered from the recession. CB Richard Ellis said in its Midyear National Investment Report that there were $7.8-billion of deals done from January to June, compared to $4.9-billion during the same period in 2009.

Globe and Mail Wed Aug 18 2010 – Financial Post – Market Wire

Office-Leasing Rebound Could Be Deceiving

Companies that sat on the sidelines during the darkest days of the economic downturn are increasingly making leasing commitments. In the 12 months that ended June 30, office tenants signed 161.3 million square feet in leases nationwide, according to Studley, a commercial real-estate brokerage firm. That is a 5.7% increase over the 12-month period ended in March.

Wall St. Journal Wed Aug 18 2010

Connect bike lanes through downtown, cyclist says

It’s a chance to finish an “incoherent patchwork” of bike lanes downtown, says a passionate cycling advocate, who is bringing a petition to do that to Toronto’s public works and infrastructure committee Wednesday. Alan Heisey wants city council to ensure there’s at least one more continuous north-south route between Bloor St. and the lake, and at least one complete east-west route south of Bloor St. for downtown cyclists.

Toronto Star Wed Aug 18 2010

Waterfront Toronto unveils plan for 1,700 condos, 2,400 jobs – Waterfront Toronto

Waterfront Toronto unveiled plans to build a massive $800 million neighbourhood Thursday. Developers have dubbed the new neighbourhood Bayside. Waterfront Toronto chose Hines, an American development company based in Houston, to build the project from a field of four finalists. Plans include 1,700 condominiums, office space for 2,400 jobs, a boardwalk and public access to a green roof overlooking the water.

Toronto Star Fri Aug 20 2010 – National Post – Globe and Mail

Combining the CNE and Ontario Place: Urban renewal on the lake

Once again we are about to experience the annual hand-wringing about the Ex: What will attendance be? Is it still relevant? And could this valuable site be better used? Coincidently, the province has just issued an RFI (Request for Expressions of Interest) seeking new ideas for its fading 39-year-old neighbour, Ontario Place.

Toronto Star Fri Aug 20 2010

Commercial real estate investment up in Toronto – Avison Young

Commercial real estate investment in Toronto in the first half of the year well exceeded its 2009 totals, new data from brokerage firm Avison Young shows, however the impact of the HST introduced in July remains to be seen. Overall investments in the Greater Toronto Area over the first six months of the year totalled $3.5-billion, more than double the $1.4-billion invested in the first half of 2009.

Financial Post Fri Aug 20 2010 – Canada News Wire

HST blamed for drop in sales across the country

Housing sales were down 30% in July from a year ago, and the Canadian Real Estate Association blames the drop on the new harmonized sales tax in Ontario and British Columbia. The Ottawa-based group, which represents 100 real estate boards across the country, said July sales fell 6.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous month, a decline “almost entirely the result of fewer sales in B.C. and Ontario.

Financial Post Sun Aug 22 2010

Goodbye office, hello ‘desk on demand’

Few rooms invite envy like your boss’s corner office. It has a desk that’s bigger than your cubicle, a great view and a nameplate on the door. The room is ridiculously big, and that’s the point – the extra space marks her status. One might expect a traditional hierarchy of offices at the Wellington St. W. offices of IBM, in the classic TD Waterhouse Tower.

Toronto Star Fri Aug 27 2010

TTC meets to discuss new head office

The Toronto Transit Commission will decide at a special meeting Friday whether to proceed with the lease of a new headquarters at Yonge St. and York Mills Rd. The new office space, being developed by Build Toronto, the city’s arm’s-length real estate corporation, would be located on TTC property and replace the transit agency’s Davisville headquarters.

Toronto Star Fri Aug 27 2010

Downtown Toronto – Landlord listings – Brick and Beam West – August

Please note the attached office space is not listed with OfficeSearchToronto.com but call us first at 416-992-9869 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              416-992-9869      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email us here!

Office Survey – 1,500 to 3,000 square feet – Downtown East Toronto

OfficeSearchToronto.com tracks available office space across the GTA. Want a survey or availability report somewhere else in Toronto? Are these space too big? Call us at 416-992-9869 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              416-992-9869      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or E-mail Me!

Downtown West Toronto Commercial Real Estate – July 2010

For floor plans or a survey of available office space in Toronto provide your contact info here and I will be in touch with a custom survey of office space tailored to your needs. It can’t get any easier that that!

Downtown East Office Space for Lease – July 2010

View more documents from Chris Fyvie.

We provide free custom surveys of available office space including a price list and floor plans. Simply reach out to us here!

Commercial Real Estate News – June 2010

Toronto’s tower renewal program promotes energy efficiency

With energy costs projected to increase, existing multi-tenant buildings will come under increased pressure to retrofit to save on energy costs while maintaining a ‘livable’ building. ‘If water, air, cold or heat can get in, these conditions will cause real damage and your energy dollars are going out your building’s envelope,’ said Brian Shedden, a senior project manager with GRG Building Consultants of Newmarket, Ont.

Journal of Commerce Tue May 25 2010

An oasis at the top of Toronto City Hall

A sylvan oasis has opened on the podium roof of Toronto City Hall. The views are fantastic, the plantings are lush and there’s nary a dandelion in sight. The downtown public garden – a stunning overhaul of the long-abandoned podium roof – is so impressive in its landscape detail and magnetism that it warrants the drop command: Drop everything and go directly to it.

Globe and Mail Wed Jun 02 2010 – Inhabitat

Build Toronto Lists First Property – Build Toronto

Today, Build Toronto, the City of Toronto’s newly formed arms-length real estate development corporation, is pleased to announce the listing of its first property, 154 Front Street East. The sale of this site is part of the Build Toronto’s mandate to bring growth, value and results to the City of Toronto’s billion dollar real estate holdings, improving and rejuvenating neighborhood infrastructure, and delivering real financial returns.

Canada News Wire Thu Jun 03 2010

TREB reports 27% decline in leased space in May 2010 compared to 2009

In May 2010, TREB Commercial Members reported 472,278 square feet of leased space – a 27 per cent decline from the 644,130 square foot figure recorded in May 2009. “May was the first month in 2010 when the amount of commercial space traded was below year-ago levels,” said Commercial Council Chair Garry Lander. “On a monthly basis, the commercial market is sometimes volatile. …”

Market Wire Thu Jun 03 2010

G20 summit forces Bay Street to move house

The heart of Canadian finance will shift from the gleaming towers of downtown Toronto to a series of non-descript buildings around the city’s fringes to keep markets pumping during the G20 summit. Banks and law firms that negotiate and broker deals are concerned less with G20 protesters causing violence during the June 26-27 leaders’ summit, and more with the troubles for employees getting to work.

Globe and Mail Fri Jun 04 2010

The beauty of operating without an office

I recently met with an entrepreneur I’ll call Steve, who is building a successful market research company. I asked him about his goals for the coming year, and he explained that he wanted to launch two new offices. I understand the process is often necessary to capture new opportunities, but I found it strange that he defined his aspiration in number of offices instead of revenue or profit goal.

Globe and Mail Thu Jun 03 2010

First Canadian Place dismantled, one panel at a time

For 506 years, 369 of them outdoors, Michelangelo’s David has endured as a masterpiece carved from soft Italian stone. First Canadian Place, just 35, hasn’t aged quite as gracefully. Canada’s tallest corporate tower might boast some of the best bones on Bay Street, but the 72-storey building – clad in the same Carrara marble that produced David – has a serious skin problem.

Globe and Mail Mon Jun 07 2010

GE Capital to Cut Commercial Real Estate

The head of General Electric Co.’s finance arm said the company aims to cut its holdings of commercial real estate by half, detailing plans to reduce the scale of a business that has proved a huge headache in the wake of the credit crisis. GE Capital holds an $80 billion portfolio of assets like office and apartment buildings, as well as loans secured by commercial property.

Wall St. Journal Mon Jun 07 2010

77 King Street West Toronto awarded 1st CaGBC LEED Gold EB: O&M Certification

The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited is proud to announce its 77 King Street West tower at the Toronto-Dominion Centre has attained LEED Gold Certification under the Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance category, the first of its kind presented by the Canada Green Building Council.

Market Wire Mon Jun 07 2010

Open atrium design chosen for new St. Lawrence Market building

The new incarnation of St. Lawrence Market’s north building is a breezy, bisected contrast to the closed-off concrete structure now occupying the site. The city announced the winner of its design competition Monday morning, with Adamson Associates Architects and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners given the green light to build the new $76-million structure.

Globe and Mail Tue Jun 08 2010

Goodman establishes A$1.3 billion relationship with CB Richard Ellis Realty Trust

Goodman Group announced the establishment of two new co-investment vehicles (The Co-Investment Vehicles) with CB Richard Ellis Realty Trust in the United Kingdom (UK) and Europe. The Co-Investment Vehicles will invest in pre-committed logistics development opportunities sourced through Goodman and will be funded on an 80/20 basis, with CB Richard Ellis Realty Trust holding the majority share.

Canada News Wire Mon Jun 14 2010

Toronto Office Space for Lease – Downtown East – June 2010

OfficeSearchToronto.com tracks available office space across the GTA. Want a survey or availability report somewhere else in Toronto? Are these space too big? Call us at 416-992-9869 or E-mail Me!

Toronto – King Queen Spadina Dufferin Loft Space for Lease – June 2010

OfficeSearchToronto.com tracks available office space across the GTA. Want a survey or availability report somewhere else in Toronto? Are these space too big? Call us at 416-992-9869 or E-mail Me!

Small Office Units Available for Rent Downtown West – Brick and Beam Office Toronto – June 2010

Address	Available Space (sf)	Asking Gross Rental Rate (psf)	Asking Monthly Rate
1 Atlantic Avenue	1,586	$22.50	$2,973.75
110 Spadina Avenue	2,252	$30.25	$5,676.92
116 Spadina Avenue	1,608	$25.40	$3,403.60
129 Spadina Avenue	2,000	$30.00	$5,000.00
130 Spadina Avenue	2,775	$28.25	$6,532.81
147 Liberty Street	3,062	$55.50	$14,161.75
147 Spadina Avenue	1,911	$24.40	$3,885.70
171 East Liberty Street	3,225	$29.10	$7,820.63
171 East Liberty Street	1,835	$29.10	$4,449.88
179 John Street	1,771	$33.18	$4,896.82
20-30 Maud Street	1,991	$26.40	$4,380.20
214 King Street W	2,719	$33.72	$7,640.39
217 Richmond Street W	1,537	$30.00	$3,842.50
219 Dufferin Street	2,530	$27.74	$5,848.52
219 Dufferin Street	1,590	$27.74	$3,675.55
317 Adelaide Street W	2,700	$29.00	$6,525.00
326 Adelaide Street W	3,020	$22.00	$5,536.67
33-35 Fraser Avenue	1,937	$27.55	$4,447.03
33-35 Fraser Avenue	2,851	$27.55	$6,545.42
366 Adelaide Street W	1,600	$29.00	$3,866.67
425 Adelaide Street W	1,669	$25.06	$3,485.43
460 Richmond Street W	3,723	$31.50	$9,772.88
487 Adelaide Street W	1,788	$26.75	$3,985.75
49 Spadina Avenue	2,600	$20.00	$4,333.33
555 Richmond Street W	3,400	$26.85	$7,607.50
555 Richmond Street W	1,747	$25.85	$3,763.33
57 Spadina Avenue	2,780	$25.93	$6,007.12
67 Mowat Avenue	2,640	$28.44	$6,256.80
96 Spadina Avenue	1,834	$30.36	$4,640.02
99 Atlantic Avenue	1,545	$26.92	$3,465.95

Please note the attached office space is not listed with OfficeSearchToronto.com but call us first at 416-992-9869 or email us here!

Downtown East Toronto Office Space for Lease – June 2010

OfficeSearchToronto.com tracks available office space across the GTA. Want a survey or availability report somewhere else in Toronto? Are these space too big? Call us at 416-992-9869 or E-mail Me!

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