Correction: This version corrects 2013 third quarter results and updates top market producers.

Area commercial brokers continue to post retail leasing gains during the third quarter of 2013, according to a recent report.

The report from Realtors Commercial Alliance of Southeastern North Carolina showed 23 commercial transactions during the third quarter of 2013 in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties – up from 18 unit transactions leased during the third quarter of 2012, according to the group’s commercial MLS data.

But the amount of space leased to retailers and businesses throughout the region is down from 72,285 square feet in the third quarter of 2012 to 60,212 square feet last quarter, according to the report – a sign of unit tightening in the market and a possible need for additional retail space in the region.

The average rate was also up slightly at $13.30 per square foot last quarter compared with the $12.29 per square foot in the third quarter of 2012.  Year-to-date, area brokers have leased more than 165,000 square feet of commercial retail space across greater Wilmington. 

Since brokers are not required to record all of their transactions quarterly, the regional commercial MLS data does not reflect all of the area’s transactions. It does, however, pinpoint parts of the region that are seeing heavy retail leasing activity, along with what properties have been leased.

A number of transactions recorded occurred in the Mayfaire and midtown areas of Wilmington – an area experiencing a wave of new housing and apartment unit starts and increased commercial interest. Ogden, Porters Neck, Leland and the University of North Carolina Wilmington areas also posted retail lease gains. 

Three shopping centers in New Hanover County, University Centre, Williow Woods and Market Street Station, experienced a number of new lease transactions, according to the report.

The largest transactions reflected in the report were completed by Nicholas Silivanch, vice president of retail leasing and acquisitions with Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners and principal broker with Team Silivanch, whio leased two units totaling 14,325-square-feet of commercial space in University Centre along South College Drive.

Garry Silivanch, vice president of Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners and principal broker of Team Silivanch, also leased 6,000 square feet of standalone retail space at 7718 Market St., according to the report.

Mike Brown, vice president of development services and broker with Wilmington-based Cape Fear Commercial, leased 5,047 square feet of retail sapce in the Willow Woods Shopping Center at 5424 Oleander Drive.

Mike Nadeau, president of Wilmington-based Creative Commercial Properties, said his firm recently inked a lease for a 5,000-square-foot standalone retail building at 15916 U.S. Highway 17 to Down East Athletics – a gym dedicated to intense workouts and exercises.

Overall, Coldwell Banker Commercial Sun Coast Partners secured 53 percent of completed lease transactions reflected in the commercial MLS report. Cape Fear Commercial followed with 18 percent of total closings.