FEDEX FIELD (via Peachtree Street, ATLANTA) - On paper, it's no contest. Washington handily beats Atlanta.
In office market stats, that is.
Let's go to the numbers, or second-quarter stats courtesy of Cassidy Turley, a Wilbert News Strategies client. (Wilbert is a public relations and communications firm with several real estate clients.)
OFFICE VACANCY RATE: No even close: Washington 10.4% - Atlanta 20.7% (The lower the better.)
NET ABSORPTION: Atlanta scores here: Atlanta 419,340 square feet - Washington 203,000 square feet
DELIVERIES OF NEW SPACE - Another blowout: Washington 386,000 sq. ft. - Atlanta 13,822 sq. ft.
ASKING RENT - A runaway here, too: Washington $49.59 (full service) - Atlanta $18.72 (full service)
OK, so Washington wins in the CRE arena, but what about on the more-important football field.
The Falcons are 4-0 for the first time in forever. They've scored 124 points, third in the NFL, behind the Patriots and Texans. Matt Ryan is having an MVP year in which he'll win his first NFL playoff game ever. Tony Gonzalez is playing like a man who wants to win his first playoff, too, and perhaps a Super Bowl.
The Falcons' last-minute victory against the fumbling Pathers was the type of win of which special seasons are made. The team has taken its marketing department's "Rise Up" theme to heart.
But what about the Redskins, a team that lost 10 of its final 12 games in 2011? They're 2-2 this year and have a boatload of hope, thanks to rookie QB Robert Griffin III. The offense looks good and is only a point behind the Falcons in scoring with 123.
The Redskins' defense, however, is having a terrible year. That means Matt Ryan should have a FedEx Field Day. The Redskins' only hope is that RGII has a huge day and hangs tight in a shootout.
Either way, Washington always will have the office market. And a kick-ass fight song.
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