Retail Real Estate Set for Rebound

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Fueled by luxury retailers and discount retailers such as dollar stores, the retail real estate sector is poised to experience increased leasing and improving fundamentals in the second half of 2012.

Thats the take of Hartman Simons, an Atlanta-based national commercial real estate law firm that represents both tenants and landlords in retail leases as well as developers in retail developments. The firms attorneys provided their analysis of the sector as the 2012 ICSC RECon convention got underway in Las Vegas. The convention runs from May 20 through May 23.

The amount of leasing activity were involved in is 10 times what it was a year ago, said Peter Hartman, a partner with the firm. Of course, its all relative. Its not yet close to where it was in 2006 or 07.

Retail real estate is certainly healthier and moving in the right direction, Hartman said. There have been fits and starts, but overall the entire sector from our perspective is greatly improved.

The return of some large and important retailers such as Target to new developments and the growth of discount retailers like Dollar General are two of the trends fueling the sectors increased development and leasing activity, according to Hartman. The firm has recently represented developers in the development of Target-anchored centers in the Southeast.

As for store performance, luxury and discount retailers are thriving, Hartman said. Its the mid-level space that seems to be pretty flat, he added.

Retail developers have grown selectively aggressive in pursuing new opportunities in part because financing has become easier to obtain, Hartman said. And those new opportunities usually incorporate residential and sometimes office uses, he said.

Hartman Simons is representing North American Properties in its development of Avalon, a $600 million, mixed-use project in suburban Atlanta.

About Hartman Simons

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Retail Real Estate Set for Rebound