Are you thinking about starting a new business in Orange County, CA? Or, do you plan to expand your current operations into a new location around this area?
If so, it’s important to know what kind of buildings are available. From small storefronts to large-scale warehouses, there are many different options to consider.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at the types of commercial real estate you’re most likely to find in Orange County, and how we can help you find the exact space you need.
Retail Properties
Let’s start with retail.
A retail property is a type of commercial property that’s specifically zoned to be one of three entities:
- A service business
- A store
- A shopping center
If you’re a retail business owner looking to open a storefront in Orange County, your space must be zoned for retail use. This means that the local government has established an ordinance that dictates the building can only be used for that purpose.
In some of the more populated areas of our region, you’ll often find mixed-use zoning. This means that both residential and commercial properties can exist in the same location. In this case, the government instates zoning overlaps to allow joint use to occur.
What happens if you fall in love with a space, only to find that it’s strictly zoned for residential use? In that case, you can submit a request asking for the government to rezone the property into a retail property. After the relevant agencies review your application, they can decide whether or not to grant your request.
While this can lead to a positive outcome, most requests are not successful. That’s why it’s so important to work with a commercial real estate agent while exploring different properties. Our team can show you properties that are already zoned for retail use, so there’s no legal legwork to contend with.
Where to Find Retail Properties
There are retail properties all around Orange County. However, certain areas tend to attract specific types of businesses. For instance, if your store sells convenience goods, then you’ll likely start your search in a heavily-traveled area that’s zoned for multiple retail properties.
Then, there are niche-style businesses that are more strategically located based on the clientele they want to attract. For instance, beauty salons are often located near residential areas, so they have access to a wide range of nearby customers. Similarly, you’ll find technology companies and insurance companies in designated business parks, which are less accessible to the public.
As you begin your search, think about where your clients will be, and how they’ll interact with your business. Then, choose a retail property that allows you to cater to them as naturally as possible.
Industrial Properties
Industrial properties are very wide-ranging and nuanced. There isn’t one type of property that will appeal to every single manufacturer or business owner. The type that you need will depend on a range of factors, including the type of industry that you’re in, the size of your team, and more.
Some managers lease an industrial property because they want direct access to it. They want to rent it for their own business and plan to move their operations to that location. Other times, they’ll purchase it outright as a short-term or long-term investment.
Let’s take a look at the different types of real estate that fall into this sector.
Heavy Manufacturing
Buildings zoned for heavy manufacturing use are usually very big, with machinery and special features designed specifically for large-scale manufacturers. These locations are customized to fit the needs of each manufacturer, and new tenants often perform extensive renovations any time they move into a different space.
Light Assembly
While heavy manufacturing buildings are large and complex, light assembly buildings are much simpler and smaller. This means they’re also easier to reconfigure if you need to change something about the previous tenant’s layout.
Business owners can use a light assembly space to:
- Assemble products
- Store goods
- Set up office spaces
Bulk Warehouses
As its name implies, a bulk warehouse is very large. Most contain between 50,000 and 1 million square feet and are designed to be easy for trucks to enter and leave. Due to this requirement, they’re often located close to major highway systems.
Bulk warehouses are ideal for companies that perform regional distribution activities and require space for large amounts of product and team activity.
Flex Warehouses
Flex warehouses are smaller than their bulk counterparts. These buildings pull double-duty, combining industrial spaces with office spaces.
Like light assembly spaces, they’re simple and relatively easy to convert. You can arrange them to fit the needs of your company without major modifications.
Office Spaces
If you need a light manufacturing area plus office space, then a flex warehouse might be just what you need. However, some individuals are interested solely in offices when investigating Orange County commercial real estate.
If that’s you, then let’s talk briefly about office building classifications.
Class A Properties
Class A office buildings feature excellent construction. They’re also located in highly desirable locations, which makes them especially popular with real estate investors.
Class B Properties
Class B office buildings are also well-constructed and designed to meet the highest possible industry standards. However, the one drawback is that their location isn’t as ideal as a Class A property.
Class C Properties
Class C office buildings are ones that do not fall into either of the above two categories. While these won’t have as desirable construction or location, they can be suitable for many businesses, especially those operating on a strict budget.
Browse Our Available Types of Commercial Real Estate
As you can see, there are many different types of commercial real estate located in and around Orange County, CA. Do any of these sound good for your business?
If so, we’d love to help you find the building of your dreams. We’re a full-service commercial real estate company with a great history and reputation in this community. Whether you want to buy or lease your next property, our experienced agents are here to help.
Browse our available properties to learn more about what’s out there, and contact us to connect today!
