Market Intelligence

GTA Industrial Vacancy — Q2 2025

Published Q2 2025 · Ghatan Commercial

Executive Summary

Industrial vacancy across the Greater Toronto Area remained elevated in Q2 2025 relative to the historic lows of 2021–2022, though corridor-level divergence is significant. Submarket selection is the primary driver of acquisition risk.

Overall GTA Vacancy Rate

The GTA industrial vacancy rate tracked at approximately 4.8% entering Q2 2025, up from sub-1% levels observed at the peak of the 2021–2022 cycle. This represents a structural normalization rather than a fundamental deterioration in demand. Net absorption remains positive on a trailing twelve-month basis across most 400-series corridors, though new supply completions have outpaced take-up in certain submarkets.

Corridor-Level Divergence

Vacancy is not uniformly distributed. The Highway 7/Highway 50 corridor (Vaughan, Brampton North) continues to absorb new Class A inventory at a stronger pace than the 401/Mississauga corridor, where several large-format completions remain in lease-up. The 427 corridor (Etobicoke, North York) shows the tightest conditions given constrained land supply and limited pipeline.

Tenant Demand Profile

Third-party logistics operators, e-commerce fulfillment, and light manufacturing continue to drive the majority of new lease activity. Requirements in the 50,000–150,000 sq ft range represent the deepest pool of qualified tenants. Big-box requirements above 300,000 sq ft have softened materially from peak levels. Small-bay industrial (under 10,000 sq ft) remains essentially fully occupied across all submarkets.

Rental Rate Trajectory

Net asking rents stabilized in the $18–$22 per sq ft range across most Class A GTA product, with premium achieved for proximity to Highway 427 and Highway 410. Incentive packages — including free rent and tenant improvement allowances — have returned to the market for the first time since 2019, particularly on larger format vacancy. Effective rents are 8–12% below headline asking on new leases.

Investment Implications

For buyers underwriting income-producing industrial assets in Q2 2025, vacancy assumptions in the 5–7% range over a five-year hold period represent a defensible baseline for most GTA submarkets. Assets in the 427 and 400/Vaughan corridors warrant tighter vacancy assumptions given structural supply constraints. New GTA industrial acquisitions should be stress-tested against a rental rate scenario 10% below current market to account for lease rollover risk.

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Data compiled from publicly available sources and proprietary brokerage observations. All figures are approximate and subject to revision. Not investment advice. Kamyar Ghatan, Broker & Branch Manager · HomeLife/Cimerman Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage* · Independently Owned & Operated.