Real estate firm Knight Frank noted improved activity in all sectors of the Hong Kong property market during March in its latest Hong Kong Monthly research report.
The Grade ‘A’ office leasing market witnessed robust relocation activities, while residential sales in rebounded, with more units launched in the primary market and more deals closed in the secondary market. Prices, however, continued to fall. Meanwhile the drop in retail sales and visitor arrivals continued to put pressure on retail property rents.
Office
The lack of available space continued to limit Grade ‘A’ office leasing activities in core business areas last month. To avoid the high office rents in Central, some firms with a long presence in the area relocated to non-core areas.
The Kowloon Grade ‘A ‘office leasing market saw a number of relocation deals involving insurance and sourcing companies. Office rents in Kowloon East, however, have been under pressure from the increasing supply coming on line.
Despite the economic uncertainties in Hong Kong and the Mainland, David Ji, Director, Head of Research and Consultancy, Greater China, expected office rents on Hong Kong Island to increase by 5 percet this year given extremely low vacancy rates. Office rents in decentralised areas, however, could drop by 5percent in 2016 given abundant supply in the pipeline.
Residential
According to the Land Registry in March, residential sales volume rebounded 45 percent month-on-month from the lowest level in 25 years, reaching 17,106 sales.
With potential buyers expecting increasing supply and a further drop in home prices, residential sales are expected to fall to around 50,000 units this year. Although luxury home prices overall are expected to drop 5 percent this year, prices of super-luxury houses and apartments should remain firm. Mass-market prices could drop by up to 10 percent during 2016, the real estate firm predicted.
Retail
Amid deteriorating visitor number and retail sales, Hong Kong’s retail industry is seeking new elements and new angles to rebalance business.
The art atmosphere has been well-cultivated in the city, particularly in the SoHo and NoHo neighbourhoods, meanwhile landlords are also bringing elements of art into their malls.
One successful example is K11 Hong Kong. Another is H Queen’s, a gallery-featured commercial building at 80 Queen’s Road Central which is scheduled to open mid-2017, providing an interesting alternative to the city’s shopping scene.
Looking ahead the retail market is likely to continue going through a period of readjustment to reduce its dependency on Mainland visitors spending. As rents drop, it is becoming more affordable for lifestyle brands to take up space in core shopping areas.