Strong Demand But Not Much Product

Strong Demand But Not Much Product

2014 ended on a strong note at year end.  All my listings are either leased or sold and it confirms the space shortage that is looming throughout Los Angeles. Tenants should be looking six months prior to lease expiration and be prepared to pay double rent as soon as they find a space they like. Not only has there been very limited new construction over the past several years, but high sale prices have taken a lot of buildings off the lease market. This has put upward pressure on lease rates for functional distribution type warehouses.   Most new developments are exceeding their proformas with deals being struck during construction, especially on the sale side. The predominance of cash buyers, both from foreign investors and funds is dramatic even as the march of higher prices and lower yields continue.

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Looking at US Industrial with the US Cluster Mapping Project

Looking at US Industrial with the US Cluster Mapping Project

The Cluster Mapping Project (CMP) was pioneered by Michael E Porter of Harvard University. He is just as well known for his works on Competitive Advantage. His work is a necessary foundation for US Industry and business organizations. I reprint his Value Chain diagram below for company diagnostics, which has been repurposed to examine the competitiveness of regions. To understand the implications of location and clustering, you can read an article Professor Porter published in 1995 about the strategic location of inner cities which is just as relevant today.


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