Before the lack of product both in investment as well as for the use of logistics operators both in Madrid and in Barcelona, the consultant remarks that the secondary markets remain the focus of interest for investors and that the activity within the terrain market has intensified. Investment, without taking into account corporate operations, has surpassed 875 million euro during the first nine months of 2018, 3% above the total volume of 2017.
Concerning the accrued contracting during the first nine months of the year, the total for Madrid and Barcelona reached 1.127.000 sqm, which represents an increase of 22% yoy from 2107, spreadout through 107 operations (55 in Madrid and 52 in Barcelona), which add up 39% more than in 2017.
Contracting increase in Madrid
During the first three months of 2018, the contracting of logistic spaces in Madrid reached 637.000 sqm, 4 % more yoy, for a total of 55 operations. Specifically in the third quarter demand surpassed 185.000 sqm in 19 operations undertakn. The prediction from Savills Aguirre Newman is that 2018 will close with contracting nearing 920.000 sqm, similar to the numbers of 2017.
Record numbers in Barcelona
The accrued contracting of logistic spaces has surpassed 490.000 sqm during the third quarter, which represents 56 % yoy increase, and the number of operations has increased to 52 compared to the 31 of the same period in 2017, among which stand out contractings of large areas by operators such as Amazon or UPS. The excellent behaviour of the market until the third quarter predicts an annual volume of contracting near the peak of recorded history, registered in 2016, with 755.000 sqm.
In the Barcelona market, the centre of the city and the first surrounding ring are the areas which generate more interest due to their proximity to the great urban areas and respective connections. The centre of the city in particular has a significant reserve of terrains to develop new logistics projects that meet the demands and where the rents have reached the highest levels during 2018.