Colliers’ 2013 Market Outlook Breakfast
Thank you to all who attended our annual Market Outlook Breakfast this year, held yesterday morning at the Breithaupt Block. Despite slush and snow, we were happy that so many of our clients and partners were able to attend.
New York Times Praises Waterloo Region
I was pleased to read a very interesting article featuring the Kitchener-Waterloo area in the New York Times, written by Ian Austen. His article portrays the Waterloo region as a creative hub of new technology, praising the University of Waterloo and its co-op programs Read more 
A New Beginning for the Preston Springs Hotel?
The landmark building at 110 Fountain Street in Cambridge is now available for sale through A. Farber & Partners Inc., a member of Farber Financial Group, in its capacity as Receiver of Guelph Financial Corporation.
Read more
Welcome to the Block
We are extremely excited to welcome five new tenants to the Breithaupt Block!
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My First Time at TEDx Waterloo
(Photo: Scott Chantler illustration via www.photography.renjie.ca)I had an amazing experience earlier this week at my first, of what I hope to be many, TEDx events. I have to admit, I went in as a bit of a skeptic and not expecting that I would get anything out of it. How wrong I was! Read more
The Breithaupt Block- Construction Update
One of the main courtyards is already taking shape. Take a look at the rendering below to see what the finished product will look like.
.... and after. Looks great, doesn't it?
LRT for Dummies
In search of some background information and statistics on the new LRT in Waterloo Region, I stumbled upon this great infographic from SnapBlog (hosted by Snapsort in Waterloo). Although the LRT debate was a hot topic before it was approved by council in June of last year, I’ve been a little bit surprised at the lack of marketing I’ve seen (or not seen) coming from the Region in recent months. Read more
Everyone Gives
I intended to post this a month ago because I think it is such a good idea based on the fact that it is cheap, effective and fun.
You only need to donate five dollars to get involved. The money goes directly to the charity of your choice. You will also discover the degrees of separation between you, the weather man, your grade nine gym teacher and the lead singer of your favourite band.
Colliers International’s 3rd Annual Market Outlook Breakfast
This past Wednesday, we held our annual Market Outlook Breakfast at the newly renovated Cambridge Mill restaurant and event space. Quite possibly our best year yet, the event was a great success with many in attendance from a wide variety of backgrounds ranging from; developers, investors, tenants, lawyers, appraisers and City/Regional staff.
The Mill was the perfect venue for the event. What better place to discuss the growth and opportunity of our Region than a recently transformed building that has quickly become a Waterloo Region success story? If you haven’t had a chance to experience The Cambridge Mill, I highly suggest that you do. I’ve been told they have a fantastic Sunday brunch if that helps!
Karl Innanen, our Managing Director began the presentation by discussing the top 5 factors that influenced the commercial real estate market in 2011. The list is as follows:
1. LRT Approval
2. Dundee REIT’s purchase of the Realex Portfolio – now controlling 77% of the office towers in downtown Kitchener
3. RIM – How their recent challenges have affected commercial real estate in Waterloo Region
4. New Zoning Changes – to increase density along the LRT corridors
5. Investments in Infrastructure
The remainder of the presentation was broken up into three sections; The Industrial Market, The Office Market and the Investment Market. Each section focused on developing trends throughout the Region and our industry experts, John Lind (office), Ron Jansen (industrial) and Karl Innanen (investment) shared some excellent insight into how our clients can capitalize on these opportunities.
Later this week, we will be posting an online video of the presentation for those of you who were not able to make it. If you have any questions or comments regarding the material presented, please feel free to post your comments here!
Below are links to some of the coverage our event received in both the KW Record and the Cambridge Times:
“Mill A Reflection of the Region” – Cambridge Times
“Real estate industry still keen on local market despite RIM’s woes” – KW Record
It’s Not All Tech
Waterloo Region’s industrial sector will give Schneider’s employees somewhere to go.
As a lifelong resident of Kitchener-Waterloo, it came as a real punch in the gut when I heard the news that Maple Leaf Foods had decided to close their Schneider’s plant. Read more
