38 S C T / F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 5
he big box is back, baby — big time. generally savaged
as "dinosaurs" after a succession of large-format national retailers
went belly-up in the recession, these buildings are now not just off
the critical list, they are actually thriving again, with rapidly improv-
ing fundamentals and new occupancies by frequently unconven-
tional tenants.
"the stock of vacant boxes has come back to prerecession levels, and
vacancy rates are now pretty consistent with overall vacancies," said
todd caruso, the senior managing director who heads cbre's retail
owner/agency practice in the americas. "We no longer have this mas-
sive disparity; the segment is growing with the strengthening economy,
T
big comeback
big boxes are in high demand again, and not just by retail chains
By Steve McLinden
LaSt year totaL Wine over a forMer ULtiMate eLectronicS Store in arLington, texaS, vacant Since 2005.