Sperry Van Ness International Corporation’s (SVNIC) 2015 Top Markets to Watch Reports assess the current state of the national commercial real estate market, and identify micro-trends within specific geographic regions and industries for 2015. Today we are delving into the 2015 Top Retail Markets to Watch. Not the largest or the most actively contested markets, the 2015 Retail Markets to Watch are each at an important juncture that presents unique opportunities for investment. Together, they reflect the diversity of trends that is driving the economy and commercial real estate performance in markets across the country.
Top Retail Market to Watch: Nashville, TN
Nashville’s road to recovery has been longer than for most other markets. In the immediate aftermath of the recession, vacancy rates trended above 10%, according to Chandan Economics, and have only recently narrowed the gap. Heading into 2015, the vacancy rate across all retail property subtypes was 6.6%, according to CoStar, approaching the long-term market average of 6.4%.
As property income trends have improved, new development is getting underway. Current projects include mixed-use development with street-level retail, such as developments by local grocer-cum-real estate developer H.G. Hill in Hillsboro Village and Sylvan Heights. Additionally, the opening of First Tennessee Park, the new 10,000-seat ballpark for the Triple-A affiliate Nashville Sounds, is expected to spur new retail investment into the Sulphur Dell neighborhood, just north of the Capitol. As competition for space in established retail hot spots like the Gulch, Green Hills, and Belle Meade intensifies, local retail investors are turning to the Main Street and Gallatin Avenue corridor of East Nashville for lower prices and a burgeoning local retailer scene that could support upside appreciation. Florida-based supermarket chain Publix has reportedly shown interest in a smaller urban concept near Music Row, satisfying growing demand for grocery store options from residents of newly built downtown submarket apartments and condos.
To read more on Nashville and other top retail markets, download the full version of the 2015 Top Retail Markets to Watch report here.
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