Wanchai/Causeway Bay records the strongest monthly rental growth in 3 years

Office rents in Wanchai/Causeway Bay rose by 1.5% m-o-m in July 2018, their fastest pace in three years.

August 20, 2018

HONG KONG, 19 August 2018 – Rents in Wanchai/Causeway Bay rose by 1.5% m-o-m in July, their fastest pace in three years, according to JLL's August Propert Market Monitor released today. The relatively strong growth in the submarket was underpinned by an extremely tight vacancy environment, which dropped to a record low of 1.6% last month.

Against this backdrop, the average monthly rent of Grade A offices in Wanchai/Causeway Bay rose to HKD 68.7 per sq ft in July. Monthly rents in Tsimshatsui grew by 1.0% m-o-m to HKD 51.5 per sq ft, led by a 1.3% m-o-m increase in the office buildings along Canton Road. Rents in the overall market continued to rise, up 0.8% m-o-m.

New lettings in Central surged 109% m-o-m on the back of expansion requirements from banks and financial firms. Among the more notable, Oriental Patron leased 13,900 sq ft at One Exchange Square while Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing leased 13,000 sq ft at Two Exchange Square; both expanding in-house.

Alex Barnes, Head of Markets at JLL, said: "Leasing activity outside of Central remained active last month. Tenant decentralisation supported leasing demand and contributed to net take-up amounting to 250,700 sq ft in July.  With space at a premium in Central, tenants are shifting to new office buildings in Wong Chuk Hang and Quarry Bay.  This has been a very active summer, with tenant demand fueled in part by the change of ownership in The Center and redevelopment of Hutchison House"

Denis Ma, Head of Research at JLL, said: "Hong Kong's property market continues to charge forward despite the escalating trade war between the US and China. For commercial property, demand for office space from both tenants and investors remains strong while the recovery of the retail sector remains largely intact with retail sales recording growth for the fifth consecutive month in July. In the residential sector, buyers remain upbeat despite the heightened uncertainty around the economy's outlook. In the warehouse sector, which is likely to be most affected by the trade war, demand remains firm with a number of 3PLs expanding their operations in July. All-in-all, we believe that Hong Kong's property market will likely stand tall this year though growth may ease slightly in the second half"


About JLL

JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. Our vision is to reimagine the world of real estate, creating rewarding opportunities and amazing spaces where people can achieve their ambitions. In doing so, we will build a better tomorrow for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.3 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 90,000 as of December 31, 2018. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com