Fall 2020 Manhattan Retail Report

On March 7, 2020, New York State Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency due to COVID-19, placing restrictions on mobility and the operations of non-essential businesses. Since then, both property owners and retailers have been adjusting to new challenges posed by the pandemic, which are reflected in the Fall 2020 Manhattan Retail Report.

During the Fall 2020 Manhattan Retail reporting period, all 17 corridors experienced a decrease in average asking PPSF rents since Fall 2019, ranging from 1% to 25%. These decreases are historic, with 8 corridors experiencing their lowest price per square foot averages in at least a decade. While asking rents dropped significantly, taking rents are reported to be much lower, with some brokers citing average differences between asking and taking rents around 20%.