MIAMI—There's been some talk about Miami office users moving north. Is the real and perceived increase in rental rates causing businesses to move out of Miami's CBD to other emerging South Florida submarkets? After all, some have said that Miami is the most expensive office market.

It's definitely true that some office users are moving outside the urban core. Some are moving to Coral Gables. Others to Airport West. Still others are moving to Fort Lauderdale or even Boca Raton. We also know that rental rates are impacting renewals.

But Donald Cartwright, senior vice president of JLL, tells GlobeSt.comrental rates by themselves are not the primary cause for tenants that choose to remain or move out of Miami's CBD or to other markets for that matter. So, then, what is?

“The locational decisions are mostly influenced by the preferences of and conveniences catering to customers, employees, senior management, associated businesses, etc.,” Cartwright says. “Also, the quality of the workspace to motivate and retain employees may be a more compelling reason to stay or move from any particular location.”

Cartwright and JLL vice president Nicole Vassilaros are the exclusive leasing agents for Southeast Financial Center, a 1.225 million-square-foot tower known for attracting law firms and just inked another significant renewal and expansion. His conclusion: “The new dynamics of Downtown Miami are, however, causing more and more businesses to make the decision to remain in the market.”