Mr. Gordon Hampson

Gordon Hampson, vice president in Grubb & Ellis' Office Services Group, said the Twin Cities office market will experience "positive but slow growth" during the next year.

Economic uncertainty and layoffs will result in less demand for office space, although the impact of this year's layoffs likely will not be felt until mid-to-late 2002, he said.With approximately 3.7 million square feet of office space under construction in the metro area, vacancy levels could rise from the current 6.7 percent to 14 percent in the next year, Hampson predicted.

Still, he said, it's important to note that the Twin Cities has a "resilient" economy and that local office space has historically recovered more quickly than most people predicted over the past two down cycles.

Gordon Hampson, vice president in Grubb & Ellis' Office Services Group, said the Twin Cities office market will experience "positive but slow growth" during the next year.

Economic uncertainty and layoffs will result in less demand for office space, although the impact of this year's layoffs likely will not be felt until mid-to-late 2002, he said.With approximately 3.7 million square feet of office space under construction in the metro area, vacancy levels could rise from the current 6.7 percent to 14 percent in the next year, Hampson predicted.

Still, he said, it's important to note that the Twin Cities has a "resilient" economy and that local office space has historically recovered more quickly than most people predicted over the past two down cycles.

"We would like to forge bonds between us," Gordon Hampson, the society's president says."We have a lot in common."

The Hamilton society was founded in 1843 and was a leading influence in the city for decades.

"At one time it was a very elitist organisation," Mr. Hampson said in an interview.
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Hampson said, "and we're hopeful we are going to grow."

He said he would like to see increased links between the societies in Hamilton and Toronto with members attending each others events.