Industrial availability is opening up in the tight Windsor market where a huge production facility for lithium-ion batteries and a coming resurgence in automotive production are combining to turn around the city’s fortunes.
CBRE’s office in the city, located just across the border from Detroit, is listing three million square feet. That’s leading some, including CBRE associate vice-president Brad Collins, to predict 2023 could be a record year for industrial transactions in Windsor fuelled by companies wanting to be affiliated with the electric vehicle (EV) battery plant.
Properties at 1000 Henry Ford Centre Dr. and 2935 Pillette Rd., totalling 1.7 million square feet, pushed the 1.4 per cent availability rate in the third quarter up to 4.93 per cent to end the year, according to CBRE. The fourth-quarter vacancy rate was 4.55 per cent.
Collins told RENX there were only four or five existing options for industrial users seeking 100,000 square feet or more so land sales and new construction will remain key going forward.
While Windsor experienced a 12.8 per cent year-over-year increase in average net industrial rent, closing 2022 at $9.27 per square foot, that’s still well below many manufacturing markets across Canada. Double-digit rental rate growth is anticipated for this year.
Low rents have attracted some Greater Toronto Area (GTA) manufacturers that were priced out of that market in recent years, which has benefited the Windsor economy.
“We’re really starting to see groups that historically would stick to the GTA on the investment side and the development side really start to flirt down here,” said Collins.
“We think that’s great from a market standpoint in terms of growing our market and improving the sophistication of some of these developments and types of products we have because a lot of our stock is older stock.
“We haven’t had this development boom historically, despite having availability rates near rock bottom.”
Windsor was given a big boost last March with the announcement that Canada’s first lithium-ion EV battery plant — a joint venture between automaker Stellantis and battery-maker LG Energy Solution — would be built in the city.
Stellantis is already the largest private employer in the Windsor area and the $4.9-billion, 4.5-million-square-foot EV battery plant is expected to employ 2,500 and generate more economic activity in a region that had been hit hard by layoffs in the automotive industry.
“Investor confidence in Windsor assets really turned overnight, from a market that historically has been a bit of a boom-and-bust automotive-based, manufacturing-based economy,” said Collins. “There’s always been the threat of losing Stellantis as a major employer for our community.
“With this announcement, and some of the announcements that led up to it from an assembly plant standpoint, that really transformed how people view Windsor and the stability of it going forward.”
“You’ve now got a more diversified supply chain that’s going to be coming in here,” CBRE senior vice-president Brook Handysides told RENX. “Even though it’s aligned with automotive production and manufacturing, it’s basically a new branch off of that tree.
“So you’re dealing with battery production and all of that supply chain that will align as a complement to the automotive manufacturing backbone that’s already here.”
Construction has begun on the EV battery plant, which Collins said is to be operational in late 2024 or 2025.
CBRE is also marketing a 27.58-acre site with two industrial buildings, totalling 342,786 square feet at 9355 Anchor Dr., close to the future EV battery plant. The site includes a fenced 10.56-acre gravel storage yard that could also be used for trailer parking.
Handysides added Windsor’s post-secondary education institutions already offer automotive and engineering programs that attract students from Canada and abroad, and the EV battery plant will enable many graduates to work and live in the community.
In December, Stellantis cancelled plans to eliminate the second shift at Windsor’s 4.4-million-square-foot assembly plant, which will keep almost 4,000 employed. This year the plant will be retooled to accommodate a multi-energy vehicle architecture that will provide battery-electric capability for multiple models.
This will allow maximum flexibility to adjust production volumes to meet changing market demand over the next decade. Once complete, the plant is expected to return to the three-shift operation which ended in July 2020 after 27 years.
“That’s really important for the confidence of the market as well because it allows us to bridge a number of different vehicles, which just leads to stability,” said Collins. “There are a lot of contracts and activities surrounding that as well.”
Users looking to take advantage of synergies with the EV battery and assembly plants should be making land purchase decisions this year to get developments off the ground as soon as possible, said Collins.
“If they think they can roll the bones and try to find something existing, they could wait until 2024 to get something up and running. But that’s at a pretty significant risk, given how tight the market is from an existing availability standpoint.”
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and the Windsor-Essex region is home to almost 400,000. Some 4.5 million Americans live within an hour’s drive and approximately 2.6 million trucks carrying more than $100 billion worth of goods cross the border between Detroit and Windsor annually.
Billions of dollars have been spent and will continue to be spent on such infrastructure projects as the realignment of Highway 401 and the six-lane Gordie Howe International Bridge being built across the Detroit River to improve trade and boost supply chains between Canada and the United States.
Excluding the EV battery plant, there were 174,040 square feet of space under construction in Windsor’s 58.3-million-square foot industrial market — either through additions to existing buildings or new projects — in Q4. All of it is pre-leased.
Windsor still hasn’t seen any major speculative development. That’s been the norm in the past and a more difficult lending environment of late has kept it that way.
“There have been some groups that have been flirting with the notion of that, but there’s not really one development we can point to,” Collins said of spec buildings.
“But there are land deals happening that in the future would contemplate those types of things and you’ve seen these older users and investors really start to look hard at quality land sites for speculative development in the future just because of some of the underpinnings.”
Most development in the Windsor area is done by local companies and there’s no dominant player — and not much institutional ownership — in the somewhat fragmented market.
A substantial increase in owner-user demand and construction costs, combined with a shortage of sale listings, resulted in the average asking industrial sale price increasing by 27.1 per cent year-over-year to a record of $156.81 per square foot.
A substantial portion of the Windsor user market prefers to own versus lease.
Collins said industrial land prices in Windsor have risen substantially, from about $150,000 per acre five years ago to close to $500,000. Despite higher interest rates and borrowing costs, he expects land to continue to increase in value.
Source Renx.ca. Click here to read a full story
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Toronto Commercial Properties
Stephen & Mariya Lilly
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Riverdale Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
630 Danforth Ave
Toronto, ON M4K 1R3
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Fax: (416) 462-3135
Leslieville Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
785 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4M 1H5
Office: (416) 465-7850
Fax: (416) 463-7850
Bayview Village Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
685 Sheppard Avenue East
Suite 401
Toronto, ON
M2K 1B6
Office: (416) 494-7653
Fax: (416) 494-0016
The Beach Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
2277 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4E 1G5
Office: (416) 699-9292
Fax: (416) 699-8576
College Street Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
968 College Street
Toronto, ON
M6H 1A5
Office: (416) 531-9680
Fax: (416) 531-0154
Merton Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
170 Merton Street
Toronto, ON
M4S 1A1
Office: 416-486-5588
Fax: 416-486-6988
Richmond Hill Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
9555 Yonge Street, Suite 201
Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 9M5
Office: (905) 883-4922
Fax: (905) 883-1521
Newmarket Office
RE/MAX Hallmark York Group Realty Ltd.
25 Millard Ave West Unit B
Newmarket, ON
L3Y 7R5
Office: (905) 727-1941
Fax: (905) 841-6018
Ajax Office
RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty
314 Harwood Ave. South, Suite 200
Ajax, ON
L1S 2J1
Office: (905) 683-5000
Fax: (905) 619-2500
Pickering Office
RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty
1154 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1B4
Office: (905) 831-3300
Fax: (905) 831-8147
Whitby Office
RE/MAX Hallmark First Group Realty
304 Brock Street South, 2nd Floor
Whitby, ON
L1N 4K4
Office: (905) 668-3800
Fax: (905) 430-2550
Oakville Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.
515 Dundas Street West
Oakville, ON
L6m 4M2
Office: 905-257-7500
Bayfield Head Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
152 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B5
Office: (705) 722-7100
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 722-5246
Caplan Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
112 Caplan Avenue
Barrie, ON
L4N 9J2
Office: (705) 722-7100
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 735-6980
Caplan Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
112 Caplan Avenue
Barrie, ON
L4N 9J2
Office: (705) 722-7100
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 735-6980
Innisfil Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
2095 Thompson Street
Innisfil, ON
L9S 1T1
Office: (705) 431-7100
Toll Free: (888) 822-2606
Fax: (705) 431-7667
Alliston Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
20 Victoria St W Box 108
Alliston, ON
L9R 1T9
Office: (705) 435-5556
Toll Free: (866) 936-3500
Fax: (705) 435-5356
Tottenham Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
22 Queen St S Box 636
Tottenham, ON
L0G 1W0
Office: (905) 936-3500
Toll Free: (866) 936-3501
Fax: (905) 936-5356
Bradford WG Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty
4-450 Holland Street
Bradford, ON
L0G 1W0
Office: (905) 778-0292
Toll Free: (866) 606-2429
Fax: (705) 722-5246
Innes Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
Unit# 200 4366 Innes Road
Ottawa, ON
K4A 3W3
Office: (613) 590-3000
Carling Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
Unit# 101 2255 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7Z5
Office: (613) 596-5353
Ottawa Downtown Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
344 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1W1
Office: (613) 563-1155
Ottawa Central Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S 4E6
Office: (613) 236-5959
Kanata Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
700 Eagleson Road
Ottawa, ON
K2M 2G9
Office: (613) 663-2720
Fax: (613) 592-9701
Richmond Office
RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
6159 Perth Street
Ottawa, ON
K0A 2Z0
Office: (613) 838-4040
Fax: (613) 596-4495
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RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Group
100-1073 Greenbank Rd
Ottawa, ON
K2J 4H8
Office: (613) 596-5353
Fax: (613) 596-4495
Ajax
513 Westney Road South
Ajax, ON
L1S 6W8Office: 905-683-5000
Fax: 905-619-2500
Alliston
20 Victoria St W Box 108
Alliston, ON
L9R 1T9Office: 705-435-5556
Fax: 705-435-5356
Angus
2 Summerset Place
Angus, ON
L0M 1B2Office: 705-424-7200
Fax: 705-424-6940
Re/Max Hallmark Trends Group Realty
15004 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
L4G 1M6Office: 905-727-1941
Fax: 905-841-6018
Aurora
15004 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
L4G 1M6Office: 905-727-1941
Fax: 905-841-6018
Re/Max Hallmark Lind Group Realty Ltd.
15105 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON
L4G 1M3Office: 905-841-0000
Fax: 905-727-2230
Re/Max Hallmark Peggy Hill Group Realty
374 Huronia Rd.
Barrie, ON
L4N 8Y9Office: 705-739-4455
Fax:
Bayfield
152 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B5Office: 705-722-7100
Fax: 705-722-5246
Caplan
112 Caplan Avenue
Barrie, ON
L4N 9J2Office: 705-722-7100
Fax: 705-735-6980
Chilton Team
152 Bayfield Street
Barrie, ON
L4M 3B5Office: 705-722-7100
Fax: 705-722-5246
Bradford WG
450 Holland Street Unit 4
Bradford, ON
L3Z 0G1Office: 905-778-0292
Fax: 705-722-5246
Innisfil
2095 Thompson Street
Innisfil, ON
L9S 1T1Office: 705-431-7100
Fax: 705-431-7667
Re/Max Hallmark Ciancio Group Realty
190 Main Street Suite 203
Markham, ON
L3R2G9Office: 647-247-6000
Fax: 647-429-6100
Bayview Village
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401
North York, ON
M2K 1B6Office: 416-494-7653
Fax: 416-494-0016
Innes
4366 Innes Road Suite 200
Ottawa, ON
K4A 3W3Office: 613-590-3000
Fax: 613-590-3050
Carling
2255 Carling Avenue Suite 101
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7Z5Office: 613-596-5353
Fax: 613-596-4495
O'Connor
344 O'Connor Street
Ottawa, ON
K2P 1W1Office: 613-563-1155
Fax: 613-563-8710
Bronson
610 Bronson Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S 4E6Office: 613-236-5959
Fax: 613-236-1515
Richmond
6159 Perth Street
Ottawa, ON
K0A 2Z0Office: 613-838-4040
Fax: 613-596-4495
Greenbank
100-1073 Greenbank Rd
Ottawa, ON
K2J 4H8Office: 613-596-5353
Fax: 613-596-4495
Kanata
105-700 Eagleson Rd.
Ottawa, ON
K2M 2G9Office: 613-663-2720
Fax: 613-592-9701
RE/MAX Hallmark Pilon Group Realty
4366 Innes Road Suite 200
Ottawa, ON
K4A 3W3Office: 613-909-8100
Fax: 613-590-3079
RE/MAX Hallmark Jenna & Co. Group Realty
2255 Carling Avenue, Suite 101A
Ottawa, ON
K2B 7Z5Office: 613-596-4300
Fax: 613-596-4495
Re/Max Hallmark Jacki Lam Group Realty
1154 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1B4Office: (905) 831-3300
Fax: (905) 831-8147
Pickering
1154 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON
L1V 1B4Office: 905-831-3300
Fax: 905-831-8147
Richmond Hill
9555 Yonge Street, Suite 201
Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 9M5Office: 905-883-4922
Fax: 905-883-1521
Riverdale
724 Pape Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4K 3S7Office: 416-462-1888
Fax: 416-464-3135
The Beach
2277 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4E 1G1Office: 416-699-9292
Fax: 416-699-8576
Yonge
3434 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON
M4N 2M9Office: 416-489-3434
Fax: 416-489-5445
College
968 College Street
Toronto, ON
M6H 1A5Office: 416-531-9680
Fax: 416-531-0154
Mount Pleasant
723 Mount Pleasant Road
Toronto, ON
M4S 2N4Office: 416-486-5588
Fax: 416-486-6988
Leslieville
785 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4M 1H5Office: 416-465-7850
Fax: 416-463-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Batori Group Inc.
357 Eglinton Ave W
Toronto, ON
M5N1A3Office: 416-485-7575
Fax: 416-484-4448
Re/Max Hallmark Ari Zadegan Group Realty
3434 Yonge Street Suite 101
Toronto, ON
M4N2N9Office: 416-489-4287
Fax: 416-352-0118
Re/Max Hallmark Estate Group Realty Ltd
2277 Queen Street East Suite A
Toronto, ON
M4E1G5Office: 416-699-2992
Fax: 416-699-8576
Re/Max Hallmark Bibby Group Realty
723 Mount Pleasant Road Suite 105
Toronto, ON
M4S2N4Office: 416-481-0888
Fax: 416-486-6988
Re/Max Hallmark Corbo & Kelos Group Realty Ltd
785 Queen St. East Suite 301
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-462-4787
Fax: 416-463-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Elite Group Realty
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401-11
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: 416-494-8557
Fax: 416-494-7653
Re/Max Hallmark Emerson Group Realty Ltd
2277 Queen Street East Suite 104
Toronto, ON
M4E1G5Office: 416-690-2727
Fax: 416-699-8576
Re/Max Hallmark Francis Group Realty
785 Queen St. East Suite 7
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-466-1888
Fax: 416-463-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Fraser Group Realty
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401-47
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: 416-494-7686
Fax: 416-494-0016
Re/Max Hallmark Joy Verde Group Realty
723 Mount Pleasant Road Suite 104
Toronto, ON
M4S2N4Office: 416-481-5666
Fax: 416-486-6988
Re/Max Hallmark Kathy McLachlan Group Realty Ltd
723 Mount Pleasant Road Suite 103
Toronto, ON
M4S2N4Office: 416-486-6565
Fax:
Re/Max Hallmark Montano Group Realty
785 Queen St. East Suite 201
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-424-3038
Fax: 416-465-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Pierre Carapetian Group Realty
785 Queen St. East
Toronto, ON
M4M1H5Office: 416-424-3434
Fax: 416-465-7850
Re/Max Hallmark Richards Group Realty Ltd
2241 Queen Street East
Toronto, ON
M4E1G1Office: 416-699-0303
Fax: 416-699-8576
Re/Max Hallmark Yu Group Realty Ltd
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401-19
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: 416-494-9858
Fax: 416-494-0016
Muskoka
C/O Yonge St. Office (3434 Yonge Street)
Toronto, ON
M4N 2M9Office: 416-489-3434
Fax: 416-489-5445
Re/Max Hallmark Jamie Dempster Group Realty
685 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 401
Toronto, ON
M2K1B6Office: (416) 494-7653
Fax: (416) 494-0016
Tottenham
22 Queen St S Box 636
Tottenham, ON
L0G 1W0Office: 905-936-3500
Fax: 905-936-5356
Re/Max Hallmark Lino Arci Group Realty
3420 Major Mackenzie Dr Suite 103
Vaughan, ON
L4H4J6Office: 416-479-1550
Fax: 416-913-2044
Whitby
304 Brock Street South
Whitby, ON
L1N 4K4Office: 905-668-3800
Fax: 905-430-2550
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