TORONTO, ONTARIO, October 5, 2018 – Toronto Real Estate Board President Garry Bhaura
announced commercial leasing and sales statistics reported through TREB’s MLS® System during
the third quarter of 2018.
TREB Commercial Network Members reported nearly seven million square feet of industrial,
commercial/retail and office space leased through TREB’s MLS® System in Q3 2018. This
represented an increase of 24.9 per cent in comparison to the 5.6 million square feet reported
leased in Q3 2017. Industrial space accounted for nearly 75 per cent of total space leased.
There were gains in average lease rates reported on a per square foot net basis for transactions
with pricing disclosed. The average industrial lease rate was up 11.3 per cent from $7.01 in Q3
2017 to $7.80 in Q3 2018. The average office lease rate was also up in Q3 2018 to $15.20,
representing an 8.2 per cent increase from Q3 2017. The average commercial/retail lease rate in
Q3 2018 was up substantially compared to Q3 2017. Much of this large increase was due to a
number of higher end lease transactions reported in the City of Toronto. Generally speaking,
average lease rates can change on a year-over-year basis due to changing market conditions and
changes in the mix of properties leased, in terms of size, location and quality.
“The regional economy in the Greater Toronto Area continues to be strong, as indicated by very
low unemployment. This suggests that businesses are continuing to expand and/or relocate to the
GTA to take advantage of a large and diverse talent pool with experience across many different
industries, including the tech sector, financial and professional services, construction and
manufacturing,” said Mr. Bhaura.
“I believe the Greater Toronto Area is well-positioned to be a North American hub for trade,
innovation and economic development. We have recently seen a number of technology
companies commit to investments totalling over one billion dollars in our region. On top of the tech
sector, the GTA also continues to be a leader in other key sectors, including finance, professional
services, construction and manufacturing. This is obviously important as it relates to the future
demand for commercial space,” added Mr. Bhaura.
Combined industrial, commercial/retail and office sales reported by TREB Commercial Network
Members totalled 189 in Q3 2018, down from 270 in Q3 2017. Average selling prices, on a per
square foot basis for transactions with pricing disclosed, were similar to last year for industrial
space. The average selling price for office properties was down year-over-year. There was a
significant jump in commercial/retail selling prices due to some very high dollar value transactions.
Changes in average selling prices from one year to the next can be due to a combination of
changing market conditions and changes in the mix of properties sold, in terms of size, location
and quality.