Urbanexus Update - Issue #95

H. Pike Oliver compiles this weekly update of real estate and community development news focused primarily on the USA. The inclusion of an article does not imply endorsement. And please note that some links may lead to items that are behind a paywall.

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Investment activity

Global CRE investment reached $800 billion in 2019

Global property consultant JLL reports that worldwide commercial real estate investment volumes increased by 10% in the fourth quarter of 2019, to $245 billion. This brought full-year activity to $800 billion.

Retail

U.S. retailers off to a sluggish start in 2020

Retail sales in the U.S. rose modestly in January as Americans spent more money eating out and furnishing their homes, but spending was relatively soft at the start of the new year. About half of the January increase, however, was generated by home centers such as Home Depot and Lowe’s that sell lots of building supplies to small businesses. Sales were soft in most other segments of the retail industry that largely cater to households.

A peek inside Amazon Groceries

The e-commerce giant’s facility in the Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) neighborhood looks remarkably similar to a conventional supermarket.

Pier 1 Imports files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The home-furnishings chain has filed for bankruptcy with plans to sell the company, less than two months after it said it planned to close up to 450 stores and cut costs to slow down its cash burn.

Housing

Housing has a solid start in 2020

Total housing starts posted a 3.6 percent decline in January (1.57 million units) compared to an upwardly revised December estimate of 1.63 million units according to the joint data release from the Census Bureau and HUD. Relative to January 2019 (during the housing soft patch), total starts are 21.4 percent above the annual pace of 1.29 million units.

Single-family starts posted a monthly decline of 5.9 percent to a still strong seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,010,000. The December annualized pace for single-family starts was revised up to 1,073,000. The three-month moving average for single-family in January is an annual rate of 1,008,000 units, which is the highest pace since the Great recession.

Single-family permits, a useful indicator of future construction activity, was 6.4 percent higher at 987,000 annual pace in January compared to December and have registered a 20.2 percent gain compared to a year ago. This is in line with the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, which held builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes at a solid level of 74 in February.

Phoenix luxury units for renters 55 and older

Three new luxury apartment complexes plan to open next year in metro Phoenix’s growing western suburbs. Metro Phoenix is known for its age restricted master-planned communities from Sun City to Sun Lakes, but this concept gives seniors a chance to try it out on a rental basis.

The three projects are planned as active-adult apartment complexes for residents looking to downsize but keep the amenities of a master-planned community. They will have pools, dog parks, gyms and free events such as wine tastings and cooking classes.

A portfolio of small Seattle rental units

The 201-unit, five-building UW Studio Portfolio is located in an evolving neighborhood a short walk from the University of Washington. The units average 180 sq. ft. in size. The portfolio is priced at $31 million.

Luxury apartments and nearby rents — www.nytimes.com Economists say rents would fall. Neighbors fear rents would rise. New research tries to find the answer.

Regional and metropolitan dynamics

Animated map of USA growth — fleetlogging.com The animated map above shows the growth of the United States by the railways and then the Interstate System. It's well worth a watch and full of interesting facts such as:

Community development

Ed Logue and unexpected urban renewal lessons

A biography of the forgotten "master rebuilder" of the 20th Century east coast cities of the USA challenges established truths about city planning and urban redevelopment.

Inside a Barcelona 'Superblock' A short film reveals the inner workings of Barcelona’s celebrated—and controversial—street revamps.

Construction

Seven tips for building modular

Rick Holliday had to build his own factory. His lessons make it easier for others to make the plunge.

Environment

How cat videos could cause a 'climate change nightmare' — www.thisisplace.org

Data centers processing and storing data, from sending emails to streaming videos, could account for up to 8% of the world's total power demand by 2030, warn experts.

Around the world

Areas in the UK with one Airbnb for every four homes

‘Out-of-control’ dominance of rentals in some communities depriving locals of homes, critics say.