Richmond continues to attract companies based on its centrality within the Metro Vancouver region, as well as its accessibility to transit and the Vancouver International Airport. The outlook for the Richmond office market remains optimistic due primarily to two factors which have only recently affected the area:

There has been no new supply in the Richmond submarket since the introduction of 211,000 square feet of supply in 2008. Furthermore, no new supply is anticipated over the next 2 years. Given ongoing population and employment growth, Richmond’s relatively affordable office rents will appear increasingly attractive.

The completion of the Canada Line in 2009 greatly increased Richmond’s accessibility not only to the City ofmVancouver, but within the entire region. With 4 centrally located stations, the line is an important piece of infrastructure that will benefit the Richmond office market, particularly those buildings located in and around the City Centre area.

Richmond’s overall office vacancy rate was 21.2% in Q1 2011, down slightly from the previous quarter. Ongoing vacancy has persisted in large part due to low levels of leasing activity combined with new suburban product.

For strata office sales, there are basically two markets: suburban office parks, and urban office buildings in the City Centre area. These two groups exhibit very different pricing, but both are increasing at a steady rate.

Simon Lim and David Taylor are pleased to have acted on behalf of the Vendor in the sale of 3900 & 3971 Bayview Street in Richmond, B.C.

The property comprises a newly constructed open-format retail centre on leasehold land on Steveston’s renowned waterfront. The property is fully leased and includes the adjacent parking lot. Riversong has a leasable area of 9,681 sq ft.

The purchase price was $3,300,000, representing $341 per sq ft. The cap rate was 7.5%.

The Sutton Place Hotel in Downtown Vancouver has been sold to Northland Properties Corporation for $163,625,000. The transaction includes the La Grande Residence building that had been operated as long-term stay units. Those units will likely be sold as strata-titled hotel units.

The hotel was built in 1986 and renovated in 2005. It comprises 561 units overall including 350 hotel rooms and 47 suites. The overall price per room is $291,667.

Allied REIT has acquired 948 Homer Street, a 4-storey office building located in Yaletown. The building is 45,321 square feet and was built in 1931. It features high ceilings and openable windows. The purchase price was $18,500,000, representing $408 per sq ft.

This is Allied REIT’s second office building acquisition in Vancouver after acquiring 840 Cambie Street earlier this year.

Source

520 10th Street, a 3-storey, 50 unit walkup apartment building in New Westminster has sold for $5,500,000, representing $110,000 per unit and a capitalization rate of 5.6%. The building is woodframe and was built in 1967.