JLL's 2016 review of the market highlights the major economic factors affecting the office, residential, retail and hotel sectors in the Kingdom's three largest real estate markets of Riyadh, Jeddah and the DMA

 

Riyadh/Jeddah, KSA, January 12 2017 

2016 saw the release of the Saudi Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program (NTP), both major initiatives in response to the 2015 challenges of declining oil prices and resulting need to cut government spending.

In JLL’s ‘2016 Year in Review’ report of Saudi Arabia’s highlights the impact of the ‘new age of austerity’ and other macroeconomic challenges of weakened spending power, new tax law establishments and the introduction of new real estate investment traded funds on the real estate sector.

Despite a decline in KSA’s GDP growth from 3.5 per cent in 2015 to just 1.6 percent in 2016, liquidity in the market was eased by the major first time raise of a SAR 39.7 billion international sovereign bond sale.

According to the report, the more positive outlook for the real estate sector began with the resulting government release of payments totalling USD 10.6 billion to contractors and the SAR 20 billion injected into the banking system.

The recent OPEC meeting has paved the way for a more positive 2017 economic outlook, with markets eased by an agreement to reduce oil production and more stable prices with an expected average of USD 50.3 / barrel according to Oxford Economics.

 “The real estate market in Saudi Arabia has inevitably followed in the wake of macro-economic effects brought about by fluctuating oil prices. The government’s major plans to energise the market have resulted in a more positive outlook for 2017 in line with measures to counteract reduced government and consumer spending,” said Jamil Ghaznawi, Country Head of JLL, Saudi Arabia.

In an effort to diversify the economy and open the real estate market to smaller investors, the Capital Market Authority introduced new rules in 2016 allowing the formation of the Real Estate Investment Traded Funds (REITs) on the local stock exchange.

 “The market is optimistic that by introducing REITs, the National Transformation Program’s (NTP) goal to increase real estate contribution to GDP from 5% to 10% annually will be achieved in addition to creating more transparency in the market.

“In addition these funds could help provide an exit strategy for those developers seeking to create income producing assets rather than developments for sale” commented Jamil Ghaznawi.  

The report also highlights 2016 as an active year for white land tax and home financing which both have implications for the real estate market in 2017 as the changes start to come into effect. 

The annual report highlights the office, residential, retail and hotel markets across Saudi Arabia with detailed analysis of these sectors in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA). 

Riyadh Market – Office, residential, retail and hotel summary

The 2016 office market in Riyadh has been relatively inactive in terms of project materialization given the number of projects under construction. In 2017, the majority of office space will be delivered from one project; the first phase of ITCC (160,000 square metre.) Year-on-year office rents increased marginally by 1% due to an increase in rents outside of the CBD area for grade A and B buildings. Market wide quarter-on-quarter rents decreased by almost 4%. Vacancies also affected by the economic slowdown.

In the residential market, approximately 4,000 units entered in Q4 2016. A further 25,000 units are expected to enter the market in 2017. In an effort to increase housing supply in the Kingdom, the government has taken initiatives to work with the private sector this year. Apart from Year-on-year rents for both villas and apartment, both of which decreased by 4%, residential performances remained relatively stable across the board in Q4 2016. This has been largely the case in sale and rent prices throughout 2016.

In the retail market there were no further completions in Q4 2016 however, looking ahead to 2017, there are a number of regional and super regional centers in the pipeline. Community center rents remained unchanged both Quarter-on-quarter and Year-on-year. Super regional centers on the other hand continue to show marginal decreases both Quarter-on-quarter (-1%) and Year-on-year (-2%). A trend which is likely to continue throughout 2017. Vacancies increased marginally Year-on-year and reached 9% as of Q4 2016.

In the hotel market there were no changes to the Riyadh hotel supply during the last quarter of the year and the total number of rooms was 11,800 at the end of the year. A further 4,300 keys are initially expected for 2017, among them several projects postponed from 2015 and 2016. The decline in demand from the business and public sector segments of the market highlights the need for Riyadh’s hospitality to diversify and to reduce its reliance on business tourism.

Jeddah Market - Office, residential, retail and hotel summary

The beginning of 2016 saw office rents soften before marginally decreasing over the remainder of the year reflecting the contracting economic conditions in the market. Current supply of office space in Jeddah reached almost 984,000 square metre in Q4 2016. The most notable completion in 2016 was Emaar Square, which added almost 24,000 square metre to the market and was the largest completion in Jeddah since the Headquarters which entered the market in 2014.  Year-on-year vacancy rates remained stable in Q4 2016 at 6% despite a number of vacancies over the last two quarters. Further declines in lease rates and occupancies are expected over 2017.

In the residential market, although there were limited notable completions in 2016, the projects which did complete were part of a growing concept of quality lifestyle developments. A total of approximately 4,000 units were added to the market over the last quarter. The first half of 2017 is expected to see a number of developments enter the market which were delayed from 2016. Following the continuous growth witnessed in 2015, apartment rental growth slowed over 2016 and Q4 2016 saw a further slowdown in Year-on-year apartment rents which increased marginally by less than 1%. Sales prices decreased across the board in Q4 2016 for both apartments and villas. Sales prices may decrease further in 2017, given the decrease in residential transactions by 16% in 2016, compared to 2015, according to the Ministry of Justice.

In the retail sector the largest completion in 2016 was Al Yasmin Mall, the first quality shopping center to open in the area, which added over 58,000 square metre of quality retail space. Current supply of retail space in the market stands at 1.15 million square metre.  Expansion plans within Jeddah seem to be put on hold until there is more economic clarity. The second half of 2016 witnessed the beginning of the impact of weakening household spending retail performance in Jeddah. Year-on-year rents decreased by 2% and 3% for regional and super regional centers respectively. Quarter-on-quarter lease rates for regional centers remained unchanged but decreased by 2% for super regional centers.

The hotel sector in Jeddah has been active over 2016 with six hotels opening throughout the year. The materialisation of several projects in 2016 has increased the supply of quality hotel keys in Jeddah by around 1,200 keys which is a 14% increase compared to last year. Looking ahead, further completions are expected in 2017. Weaker spending power amongst Saudis is likely to see the number of outbound tourist trips decrease from Saudi households and the development of the entertainment and tourism sectors in the already popular tourist city. Year to November occupancy rates in Jeddah were 68%, down by almost 7% compared to the same period last year and which can be largely explained by the decrease in business tourism. Average daily rates (ADRs) however, have increased by 4% to USD 264 year to November; the highest in KSA and the region.

Damam Metropolitan Area (DMA) Market Summary - Office, residential, retail and hotel summary

There was positive news for the current b with the delay in the materialisation of large master planned projects in the Damam Metropolitan Area, such as the Marina development and Al Rashed City. Al Mahmal Commercial Center, which added approximately12,000 square metre of office space, was the only major completion in the second half of 2016. Looking ahead to 2017, a large area of office space is expected to enter an already oversupplied market including Abdul Karim Tower and Al Hajri Tower. Out of the three main cities in Saudi, the Damam Metropolitan Area (DMA) has the lowest average rents for office spaces which currently stand at SAR 970. Vacancies in Q4 2016 averaged 39%.The high occupancy rates are due to oversupply in the market caused by the completion of a number of mid-scale projects.

In the residential market the supply of units in the DMA was approximately 340,000 units at the end of the year. Approximately 9,000 units entered the market over the year. There were no major completions in the second half of 2016. Future supply may face some delays in materializing as some large scale projects, such as the remaining phases of Al Khobar Lakes, face delays. Rents increased by 3% and 4% respectively over the second half of 2016. This is expected to slow further in 2017. Sales prices remained unchanged over the last six months. Prices are expected to show signs of decreasing in 2017.

In the retail sector there were no major completions in the second half of 2016. Current supply of retail space in the DMA in Q4 2016 was 1.024 million square metre. Only one neighbourhood center is expected to complete in 2017. Weaker spending power amongst local residents may actually benefit the Damam Metropolitan Area unlike Jeddah or Riyadh where the effects of weaker spending have begun to emerge. Given the limited supply entering the market and the likely delay in the delivery of some of the planned and under construction centers in the DMA; rents are likely to plateau over the next year.

In the hotel market the second half of 2016 witnessed the opening of two internationally branded hotels in the DMA. Although a number of hotels are currently in advanced stages of construction, only one hotel is expected to open in 2017. The contraction in the oil and gas sector had a direct impact on the DMA hospitality market due to its reliance on business tourism. Year to November occupancy rates in the DMA have dropped significantly (-12%) to 55% compared to 67% over the same period in 2015. Unlike Jeddah, where ADRs remained high despite decreasing occupancies, ADRs in the DMA have decreased by almost 3% to reach USD 165.

Construction Cost Outlook

Insert section on the construction cost data – major points

-          JLL have included new data / first time this has been included in our annual review

-         Construction costs expected to remain largely unchanged in 2017 due to competition between contractors that will keep increases below the overall level of inflation.

2017 and beyond – opportunities and risks

JLL’s annual review also reviews the major opportunities and risks facing the real estate sector in Saudi Arabia in 2017 and beyond.

Among the major opportunities in 2017 are the opening of the Saudi stock exchange to foreign investment, white land tax and the introduction of REITs. There is also expected to be continued investor interest in the affordable housing sector and alternative asset classes such as healthcare and education.

The report also highlights a number of potential risks to the real estate market, including continued tensions in the region leading to more resources being dedicated towards security and defence, which will likely mean cutbacks in spending for other sectors.

Other risks include the restriction in the number of pilgrims, weakened oil prices and delays in infrastructure projects which are all highlighted by the report to potentially impact the real estate market in 2017.

-Ends-

The full report can be downloaded here. 

Contact: 
Kathryn Athreya
+ 971 4 426 6999
kathryn.athreya@eu.jll.com

Halima Islam
+971 55 985 3382
Halima.islam@fourcommunications.com

About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a professional services and investment management firm offering specialized real estate services to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying and investing in real estate. A Fortune 500 company with annual fee revenue of $5.2 billion and gross revenue of $6 billion, JLL has more than 280 corporate offices, operates in 80 countries and has a global workforce of approximately 60,000. On behalf of its clients, the firm provides management and real estate outsourcing services for a property portfolio of 4.0 billion square feet, or 372 million square meters, and completed $138 billion in sales, acquisitions and finance transactions in 2015. Its investment management business, LaSalle Investment Management, has $58.3 billion of real estate assets under management. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated.

About JLL MENA
Across the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, JLL is a leading player in the real estate market and hospitality services market. The firm has worked in 30 Middle Eastern and African countries and has advised clients on real estate, hospitality and infrastructure projects worth over $1 trillion in gross development value. JLL employs over 300 internationally qualified professionals embracing 35 different nationalities across its offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Cairo. Combined with the neighbouring offices in Casablanca, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi, the firm employs more than 1,100 staff and provides comprehensive services in the wider Middle East and African (MEA)

© Press Release 2017