Broward County Office Market Summary - Q1 2019
Core Content Overview
The Broward County office market experienced notable growth and activity in Q1 2019, driven by strong employment trends, increasing demand for space, and a shift in tenant preferences towards suburban and Class B assets. The market is characterized by a mix of asset classes, with significant activity concentrated in specific submarkets such as West Broward, Sunrise, and Cypress Creek/Commercial.
Economic Indicators
- Broward County Employment: Increased by nearly 14,000 jobs year-over-year (YOY), leading to a 40 basis-point (bps) decline in the unemployment rate to 3.2%.
- Professional & Business Services: Recorded 4.4% YOY growth in employment.
- Finance, Insurance, and Related Activities: Experienced 3.8% YOY growth.
- U.S. Unemployment: Dropped to 3.8% from 4.1%, reflecting a broader national trend.
Market Indicators (Overall, All Classes)
| Metric |
Q1 18 |
Q1 19 |
12-Month Forecast |
| Vacancy Rate |
12.0% |
11.8% |
▼ |
| YTD Net Absorption (sf) |
103k |
88k |
▲ |
| Under Construction (sf) |
255k |
703k |
▲ |
| Average Asking Rent* |
$30.35 |
$31.45 |
▲ |
- Overall vacancy rate dropped 100 bps YOY to 11.8%, the lowest in over 10 years.
- YTD net absorption was 88k sf, with the strongest absorption since Q1 2013.
- Under construction increased to 703k sf, signaling future supply growth.
- Average asking rent rose to $31.45 psf, with Class A rents at $37.53 psf and Class B at $28.19 psf.
Market Highlights
- Demand for suburban Class B assets exceeded that of Class A, indicating a shift in tenant preferences.
- Tenant interest from expanding technology and business services firms is expected to drive further growth.
- Cushman & Wakefield anticipates continued rent increases, prompting developers to proceed with construction projects.
Submarket Performance
| Submarket |
Inventory (SF) |
Sublet Vacant (SF) |
Direct Vacant (SF) |
Overall Vacancy Rate |
Current Qtr Net Absorption (SF) |
YTD Net Absorption (SF) |
YTD Leasing Activity (SF) |
Under Construction (SF) |
Avg Asking Rent (All Classes) |
Avg Asking Rent (Class A) |
| Ft. Lauderdale CBD |
5,203,589 |
40,320 |
741,229 |
15.0% |
-749 |
-749 |
37,337 |
474,521 |
$41.44 |
$46.24 |
| Suburban Broward County |
23,106,155 |
69,921 |
2,493,386 |
11.1% |
89,197 |
89,197 |
364,788 |
228,600 |
$28.19 |
$33.28 |
| Cypress Creek/Commercial |
6,467,844 |
40,544 |
1,073,253 |
17.2% |
22,831 |
22,831 |
169,869 |
0 |
$26.24 |
$31.10 |
| Hollywood/Hallandale |
3,180,997 |
0 |
339,150 |
10.7% |
26,806 |
26,806 |
26,214 |
0 |
$30.01 |
$39.87 |
| West Broward |
7,143,683 |
21,369 |
428,539 |
6.3% |
26,920 |
26,920 |
145,444 |
63,600 |
$28.66 |
$33.70 |
| Sunrise |
3,058,054 |
0 |
190,469 |
6.2% |
10,565 |
10,565 |
123,497 |
0 |
$32.00 |
$32.77 |
| Plantation |
3,246,127 |
19,542 |
213,466 |
7.2% |
15,814 |
15,814 |
18,445 |
63,600 |
$24.97 |
$36.13 |
| Weston |
839,502 |
1,827 |
24,604 |
3.1% |
3,502 |
3,502 |
3,502 |
0 |
$37.10 |
$39.15 |
| Northeast Broward |
1,769,613 |
1,834 |
174,092 |
9.9% |
9,205 |
9,205 |
9,205 |
0 |
$23.83 |
$31.80 |
| Pompano Beach |
654,269 |
350 |
95,367 |
14.6% |
5,419 |
5,419 |
5,419 |
0 |
$20.14 |
N/A |
| Deerfield Beach |
1,115,344 |
1,484 |
78,725 |
7.2% |
3,786 |
3,786 |
3,786 |
0 |
$28.23 |
$31.80 |
| Southwest Broward |
2,896,522 |
xxx |
307,695 |
10.8% |
-8,493 |
-8,493 |
5,089 |
165,000 |
$33.82 |
$35.97 |
| Pembroke Pines/Cooper City |
848,918 |
1,500 |
95,443 |
11.4% |
0 |
0 |
0 |
165,000 |
$30.85 |
$38.34 |
| Miramar |
2,047,604 |
3,674 |
212,252 |
10.5% |
-8,493 |
-8,493 |
5,089 |
0 |
$35.16 |
$35.72 |
| Northwest Broward |
1,647,496 |
0 |
170,657 |
10.4% |
8,965 |
8,965 |
8,967 |
0 |
$27.17 |
$31.00 |
| Tamarac/Margate |
458,868 |
0 |
36,376 |
7.9% |
1,048 |
1,048 |
1,048 |
0 |
$18.44 |
N/A |
| Broward Total |
28,309,744 |
110,241 |
3,234,615 |
11.8% |
88,448 |
88,448 |
402,125 |
703,121 |
$31.45 |
$37.53 |
Key Trends
- Class B assets saw the strongest YOY rent growth, particularly in Sunrise (5.8%) and Weston (7.7%).
- Suburban areas attracted more tenants due to affordability, with Class B suburban vacancy dropping nearly 400 bps to 10.8%.
- CBD Class A vacancy remained stable at 11.4%, but Class A overall vacancy is expected to rise slightly in the second half of 2019.
- Investment sales volume totaled 1.8 million sf, with Class B dominating the activity at 1.3 million sf, reflecting a 54% increase compared to Q1 2018.
Key Lease Transactions Q1 2019
| Property |
SF |
Tenant |
Transaction Type |
Submarket |
| 2100 N Commerce Parkway |
133,503 |
General Services Administration |
Renewal* |
Weston |
| 1340 Concord Terrace |
100,710 |
Ultimate Software Group |
New |
Sunrise |
| 5341 NW 33rd Avenue |
45,778 |
Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Co. |
New |
Cypress Creek / Commercial |
| 4620 N State Road 7 |
29,706 |
Infinity Behavioral Health Services |
New |
Cypress Creek / Commercial |
Key Sales Transactions Q1 2019
| Property |
SF |
Seller/Buyer |
Price / $PSF |
Submarket |
| Sawgrass Technology Park |
649,676 |
Fifteen Group/Bridge Investment Group |
$74,250,000/$114 |
Sunrise |
| Hillsboro Center I-V |
238,065 |
TriGate Capital/Grover Corlew |
$32,363,000/$136 |
Deerfield Beach |
| Lakeshore Business Center |
234,954 |
Morning Calm Management/YMP RE Mgmt |
$29,250,000/$124 |
Cypress Creek / Commercial |
| Trade Center South |
216,000 |
DRA Advisors/Cardinal Point Mgmt |
$41,675,000/$193 |
Cypress Creek / Commercial |
Conclusion
The Broward County office market demonstrated resilience and growth in Q1 2019, with strong employment and leasing activity, particularly in suburban and Class B assets. While Class A rents and vacancy rates remained relatively stable, the shift in tenant behavior and investment activity highlights a growing preference for cost-effective suburban spaces. As new construction and tenant expansion continue, the market is expected to see further absorption and rent increases, especially in key submarkets like West Broward and Cypress Creek/Commercial.