The Orange County commercial real estate market, like all other markets, fluctuates. Sometimes, investors should build, but at other times they should rest. This year, it seems that Orange County is an area for construction, particularly for light manufacturing, distribution, and warehouse properties. This is according to this year’s Mansfield Commercial Real Estate analysis.
Orange County, NY’s total inventory of prime industrial space increased to 22.5 million square feet as of year-end 2017. The amount of space that was added to inventory in 2017 exceeded 1.3 million square feet, the most for the County in at least two decades.
The vacancy rate for industrial spaces, meanwhile, dropped from 4.9%, already low, to just 3.3%.
Why Developers Love Orange County Commercial Real Estate
Many developers love Orange County because of how connected it is to highways and other forms of infrastructure. This is why heavy investments are being made in industrial properties. Developers and investors alike feel the market will become even more tight across 2018.
One recent development was completed by Matrix Development Group, who constructed an industrial warehouse in Orange County that is now shared by Amscan, one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of party goods in the country, and AmerisourceBergen, one of the largest pharmaceutical distributors in the country. Meanwhile, companies such as Aurorchemicals have also moved into the area. They stated that access to airports and highways, the welcome from local politicians, and support from the Orange County Partnership were driving factors in their move.
From site selection assistance, financing options, and employment training to marketing, the Orange County Partnership is your premier (no-cost) resource for economic development support.
Development Trends in Orange County Commercial Real Estate
In 2017, the focus was more on build to suit properties. Indeed, 80% of all square feet in Orange County are made up of such properties. This trend is also set to continue. The aforementioned Matrix Development Group wants to redevelop a property to turn it into a 1.2 million sq/ft distribution center. The land they have eyed for this was originally earmarked for the Ridge retail project but this failed and was abandoned by the developer.
The developer proposing to build a 700,000-square-foot retail, dining and entertainment complex on Route 300 in the Town of Newburgh officially announced it is abandoning the project, two months after the Newburgh school board rejected a 20-year tax-break deal.
While abandoning this project was a significant blow, not in the least due to the loss of potential jobs, it was almost instantly decided that the land could serve other purposes and it seems such a purpose has now been found. There is huge confidence in the market and developers like Matrix, including Frassetto, are rapidly meeting demands.
In 2018, Bluewater Industrial Partners aims to develop a 1 million sq/ft warehouse where routes 17K and 747 intersect in Montgomery. Just last year, a similarly huge property was developed in the same area, which is now the FedEx Ground Distribution Center. Last year, only the Matrix Business Center and the McKesson’s project were larger in 2017.
The year 2017 also saw the expansion of Steris Corp’s Chester. About 60,000 sq/ft was added to the building and is now used to disinfect medical supplies. People continue to have confidence in the market and there is even a concern that some businesses have to be turned away from Orange County simply because there is no space.
Indeed, even smaller stores, such as internet distribution companies and ready-made meal developers are looking for space in Orange County. So far, they seem particularly interested in a Sol Eckstein development, who will offer a triple-net lease at $7.50 per square foot.
Investors know that there are vast opportunities in Orange County commercial real estate and that it’s a market that will continue to thrive. Therefore, it’s important for investors to keep the city of Orange County in focus when considering places to invest.
