Investment returns from Irish commercial property continue to show steady growth in 2016, albeit at a slower pace than was seen in 2015. The latest IPD/SCSI Ireland Quarterly Property Index shows total returns for Q2 to have closed at 3.1%, bringing the 12-month return to 19.5% – over double the UK’s 8.9% growth over the same period. Despite a slight slowdown in headline performance this year, Irish commercial property investment is still far outperforming both Irish bonds, which returned 2.6% in the twelve months to June 2016, and Irish equities, which saw a 7.7% decline in returns during that period.
Industrial property remains the strongest performing asset class with Q2 returns up 5% driven by strong growth in capital and rental values of 3.2% and 3.1% respectively.
Industrial property in South West Dublin performed particularly well in Q2, with returns up 6.7% in Q2 or 21.1% year-on-year.
Total returns from office investments closed at 3.1% in Q2, an improvement compared to the 2.8% returned in Q1, but substantially lower than the 7.6% returned in the same period in 2015. Unsurprisingly, the Dublin 4 office market was the strongest performer, registering total returns of 5.2% in Q2 driven by strong capital value appreciation of 4.6%. The expectation that the office sector may benefit from Brexit has meant that demand for office investments is holding up. This is reflected in the current stability of both Hibernia and Green REIT’s share price, both heavily weighted to this sector and a stark comparison to their UK counterparts who have suffered heavy losses.
Retail property is now seeing sustained growth, with returns up 2.9% in Q2, slightly below the 3.3% seen in Q1, bringing the 12-month return to 20.2%. Performance remains steady on Dublin’s two main high streets; Grafton Street returns were up 2.5% on quarter, or 26% year-on-year, while Henry Street saw stronger quarterly growth of 3.4%, bringing 12-month returns to 21.7%. Most importantly, the data suggest that the recovery is now gaining momentum outside of Dublin, with total returns from retail property in provincial locations closing at 5.4% in Q2, or 15.9% year-on-year. This has been driven by impressive provincial rental value growth of 5.5% in Q2.
While continued growth in the commercial property sector in the first half of 2016 is welcomed, the 6.3% return for the first six months of the year does represent a slowdown when compared to the 11.2% return recorded during the same period in 2015. Muted returns could be a sign of uncertainties among Irish and overseas investors alike surrounding the Brexit referendum, the consequences of which on the Irish economy are unclear as yet. Indeed, we are now seeing the postponement of a number of sales that were due to come on-stream as the situation is assessed. Stability will be crucial to maintaining confidence in the sector and ensuring the recovery continues to spread nationally.
Despite the well documented shortage of prime industrial accommodation throughout Dublin, Bannon are pleased to have advised the purchaser of this modern warehouse facility at Unit J Aerodrome Business Park, Rathcoole. The 20,000 sq ft detached building is situated on a 1.1 acre site with 9.2m eaves height within the warehouse. The acquisition, which progressed successfully throughout Covid restrictions, was concluded on behalf of a company operating in the importation and distribution sector. Niall Brereton advised the purchaser, the price paid was in excess of €2.5m. Philip Harvey and Kieran Casey of HARVEY were the selling agents.
Trade data for the first five months of 2014 show that exports volumes grew by 4.3% on the same period in 2013. Indicators suggest that the Irish manufacturing sector has benefited from stronger external demand, particularly from the UK.
Barclays Bank has won the £335m whole loan financing mandate for Oaktree Capital Management and Patrizia Immobilien’s joint acquisition of the three-strong MEPC UK business parks portfolio.
