After a couple of years of stagnant performance, the market and technology jitters of 2000 continue to create solid returns for publicly traded real estate stocks.

“It’s evidence of investors’ desire to diversify their portfolios with proven income generation, intrinsic value and the potential for long-term growth,” said Steven Wechsler, president and CEO of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT).

So far this year, REITs and publicly traded real estate companies have outpaced most other market indexes, proving its value as a hedge for savvy investors. Through June 30, the NAREIT Public Equity 100 Index rose 15 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 all lost ground.

Only utilities have rivaled REITs and publicly traded real estate so far during 2000.

“Year-to-date returns of the other major indexes were more subdued as the outlook for inflation, Federal Reserve interest rate policy and corporate earnings became more uncertain, and as investors appeared to become less comfortable with the valuations of at least some high-flying technology stocks,” said Michael Grupe, NAREIT vice president and director of research. “The REIT rebound is now in its eighth month and, with strong and stable earnings growth, that bodes well for the remainder of the year.”

In other news, real estate powerhouse Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (NYSE: JLL), has created a Web-based solution that allows clients to quickly and easily search for and outfit new commercial space. Gazelle @ Jones Lang LaSalle provides turnkey occupancy solutions, as well as offering unique space amenities that work to attract and retain talent. Its goal is to allow start-ups and quickly growing companies to easily leverage the firm’s real estate capabilities through a simple, electronic interface.

“This is a unique value proposition for emerging companies. By applying our expansive, hands-on capabilities with our global resources, the Gazelle @ Jones Lang LaSalle service platform will deliver diverse and immediate occupancy solutions,” said Earl Webb, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle in the Americas.

Webb contends that the market hasn’t seen a solution as complete as the Gazelle platform. Other real estate firms that claim to have a high-tech real estate service team are repackaging their usual corporate services and giving them a new name, he said. In contrast, the Gazelle platform is an entirely new approach designed to meet the distinct needs of speed-to-market sensitive clients with limited internal real estate resources.

With the solution, clients have Internet-based project tracking, accelerated “design-build” fit-out, and comprehensive office operations support services. Clients will be able to interface and gauge real estate services progress through a web-based communication and project tracking system.

“Resources within start-ups or accelerated e-commerce initiatives of legacy companies are stretched to the limit,” said Don Polishuk, managing director, who is leading the Jones Lang LaSalle Gazelle platform. “Emerging companies will gain the competitive advantage of a strategically planned and effectively implemented corporate real estate department.”

Published: July 11, 2000

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Lesley Hensell covers commercial real estate and financial issues for Realty Times. Based outside of Dallas, Lesley works with high-tech and real estate clients as an independent marketing and public relations consultant. She also writes for several publications, including the Dallas Morning News. E-mail Lesley at: lhensell@earthlink.net