Types of Industrial Warehouse Space for Lease
Commercial Industrial properties can be categorized in many different ways as they have different features designed for different business uses. It’s important for every company or business owner to have a basic understanding of the differences and be able to articulate their needs to their commercial real estate agent.
The basic descriptions of industrial properties are:
Warehouse & Distribution
Typically used for storage and distribution of materials, products, or equipment. They will generally have one or more loading docks (either dock high for trucks to back up to or grade level which allow trucks to drive into the facility). These buildings generally have less than 15% office. 18 wheeler access is almost certain and some even have rail. Ceiling heights vary between 20 to 30 feet high. Average sizes range from 10,000 to 50,000 sf or more.
Flex-Warehouse
Large versatile buildings that can be broken down into smaller units. Tend to be one-story, concrete tilt-wall buildings with windows on one side. They provide use flexibility between office, warehouse, light manufacturing, laboratory, research & development, showroom, and some retail. Users will generally have their own exterior entrance, private restrooms, and sometimes overhead doors at the rear entrance. Ceiling heights maybe 20 feet or less and the office portion will probably have a dropped ceiling. You typically find these in nicer industrial business parks with nice parking areas and landscaping.
R&D Buildings
Widely used by tech industries (computer, biotechnology, electronics, etc) since they fulfill a number of needs such as warehouse, manufacturing, and office. These are typically located in Semi-Industrial business parks with a lot of parking.
Manufacturing
Widely used by tech industries (computer, biotechnology, electronics, etc) since they fulfill a number of needs such as warehouse, manufacturing, and office. These are typically located in Semi-Industrial business parks with a lot of parking.
Warehouses for Retail Operations
The growth of online retail has increased the need for fulfillment, logistics, & distribution warehousing. They also use these locations for showroom, customer support, & training.