The $94.1 Million Shift: 5 Key Reasons Colliers International Columbus Ohio Is Dominating The 2025 CRE Market
The commercial real estate (CRE) landscape in Central Ohio is undergoing a significant transformation, and Colliers International Columbus Ohio is at the forefront of this dynamic shift. As of late 2025, the firm is leveraging robust industrial growth, a gradually improving office sector, and strategic leadership to guide investors and tenants through a complex yet opportunity-rich market. The Columbus region, often dubbed the 'Crossroads of America,' is proving its resilience, with Colliers’ recent market reports highlighting key areas of growth, particularly in large-scale logistics and specialized submarkets.
The current market data, updated through the third quarter of 2025, paints a picture of measured optimism, driven by sustained demand for modern bulk space and strategic capital investment. This deep dive explores the fresh insights, major transactions, and key personnel that define Colliers’ influential role in the Columbus commercial property ecosystem today.
The Colliers Columbus Power Players and Market Entities
Exceptional results in the Columbus commercial real estate market require more than simple transactional expertise; they demand an integrated team of local experts. Colliers International Columbus Ohio has cultivated a deep bench of professionals, researchers, and brokers who are instrumental in shaping the region's property landscape. These individuals and the entities they represent form the core of the firm's topical authority and market presence.
- Paul Krimm: A key addition to the leadership team, having recently been welcomed as a Managing Director for the Columbus office.
- Michael Linder, SIOR: A prominent broker in the Columbus market, holding the prestigious SIOR designation, indicating high levels of experience and ethical standards in commercial real estate.
- Kyle Ghiloni, SIOR: Another SIOR-designated professional, active in significant leasing and sale transactions across the Columbus area.
- Collin and Stephanie: Specialized researchers who provide essential support for the firm's Office, Industrial, and Retail groups, ensuring data-driven market updates.
- West Shell Commercial: The entity that combined operations with Colliers earlier in the year, expanding the global real estate services footprint in the Columbus market.
- VanTrust Real Estate: A major developer and seller, recently involved in a high-profile industrial transaction brokered by Colliers.
- W. P. Carey: A New York-based investment firm that acted as the buyer in one of the most significant industrial deals of the year.
- HanesBrands: The prominent tenant securing the major distribution facility in the Rickenbacker area.
- Diamond Properties: A New York-based commercial real estate firm that purchased a 221,736-square-foot industrial portfolio in the Columbus West submarket.
The $94.1 Million Industrial Blockbuster and Logistics Dominance
The Columbus industrial market remains the strongest performing sector, characterized by a continued appetite for modern logistics space. Colliers' role as a leading broker in this sector was underscored by a massive, high-value transaction that closed recently, highlighting the region's appeal to national and international investors.
Case Study: The Rickenbacker Exchange Building 2 Sale
Colliers successfully negotiated the sale of the Rickenbacker Exchange Building 2, a monumental deal that injected significant capital into the Columbus logistics market. This transaction serves as a prime example of the firm's capacity to handle complex, large-scale commercial property sales:
- Asset Type: Class A, 1.2 million-square-foot industrial distribution facility.
- Location: 521 Exchange Way in Commercial Point, Ohio, within the high-demand Rickenbacker logistics submarket.
- Transaction Value: The property was sold for a remarkable $94.1 million.
- Parties Involved: Colliers brokered the sale from the seller, VanTrust Real Estate, to the buyer, W. P. Carey Inc..
- Tenant Status: The facility is leased to a major anchor tenant, HanesBrands, ensuring stable, long-term returns for the new owner.
This deal, along with other transactions like the sale of a 221,736-square-foot industrial portfolio in the West submarket, demonstrates the robust health of the Columbus industrial sector. The market continues to see positive net absorption and a declining vacancy rate, even as new construction projects like the Britton Flex Center in Hilliard and 33 Commerce Center in Marysville signal a measured return of developer sentiment.
The 2025 Office and Multifamily Market Outlook: Resilience and Opportunity
While the industrial sector shines, Colliers’ research also provides critical insights into the evolving office and multifamily markets, guiding clients through the nuances of each asset class in Central Ohio.
Navigating the Office Market Crossroads
The Columbus office market, as outlined in Colliers’ Foresight 2025 report, stands at a "crossroads of resilience and opportunity". Through the first half of 2025, the market has shown signs of gradual improvement, though overall vacancy rates remain elevated, a common trend in major metropolitan areas.
The return-to-office wave is gaining momentum, but the landscape is being reshaped by major corporate decisions. For instance, a significant shift in the return-to-office strategy by a large employer like AEP in Central Ohio has impacted roughly 2,400 employees across offices in downtown, Gahanna, and New Albany. This movement underscores the importance of flexible office space solutions and the growing demand for Flight-to-Quality assets. Investment activity in the office sector remains subdued, with buyers seeking discounts and sellers hesitant to accept major losses, leading to a cautious environment for investment sales. Colliers’ data, including statistics for submarkets like Dublin, helps tenants in the market (with over 27 office tenants actively seeking space) find tailored solutions.
The Multifamily Momentum
The multifamily sector in Columbus is a key driver of the broader Ohio real estate boom. Colliers projects continued strength for this asset class, forecasting a 3.2% rent growth and a stable 95% occupancy rate over the coming year. The growing population and strong employment base in Central Ohio underpin this positive outlook. However, the market is closely watching the "flood of new inventory" that could test the market's capacity for absorption. This balance between high demand and increasing supply is a critical factor for investors considering new development or acquisitions.
Strategic Entities and Topical Authority in Columbus CRE
Colliers’ research resource provides continuous, up-to-date knowledge articles and real estate trends, solidifying their position as a source of topical authority in the Columbus, Ohio market. The firm’s comprehensive coverage extends to every major sector and submarket, ensuring that clients have access to the most granular data for informed decision-making.
Key Market Entities and LSI Keywords:
- Rickenbacker Logistics Market: The hub for massive industrial deals and distribution centers.
- Columbus West Submarket: A focus area for industrial portfolio transactions.
- Dublin Submarket: Critical for office statistics and tenant-in-the-market data.
- New Albany: A key location mentioned in the context of major corporate office strategy shifts.
- Commercial Point: The specific village housing the Rickenbacker Exchange Building 2.
- Industrial Net Absorption: A key metric showing positive momentum in the logistics sector.
- Flight-to-Quality: The prevailing trend in the office sector, favoring premium, modern spaces.
- Commercial Property Sales: The core of the firm's transactional business, including the $94.1 million deal.
- Real Estate Trends: The continuous analysis provided by the Colliers | Columbus research team.
- Multifamily Rent Growth: A forecast of 3.2% for the coming year.
In conclusion, Colliers International Columbus Ohio is not merely reacting to market conditions but actively shaping them through strategic transactions and authoritative research. The successful brokering of the $94.1 million Rickenbacker sale, coupled with their detailed 2025 market updates across the industrial, office, and multifamily sectors, confirms their status as a dominant force in Central Ohio’s commercial real estate future.
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