E-commerce currently accounts for only 20% of all retail sales, giving the industry lots of room for growth. With the growth in this industry comes the need for more industrial warehouse spaces.
Industry continues to show growth in nearly all sectors coming out of the pandemic, and the demand for all types of industrial buildings is high.
Are you looking to buy or sell an industrial building in Orange County? Take a look at the different industrial buildings in demand in this market. Read on to learn more about the industrial real estate market.
Types of Warehouses
Many industrial building types fall under the category of warehouse. Yet, a warehouse has many different functions, depending on what they’re housing.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the types of warehouses you’ll find here in Orange County.
General Warehouse
A general warehouse is, as the name suggests, a warehouse for storage. These buildings often act as just storage for inventory or manufactured goods.
A business might have a manufacturing facility (more on this type of industrial building shortly) and then also have an on-site warehouse.
The square footage and how the warehouse is equipped will depend significantly on the product it’s housing.
Distribution Warehouse
A distribution warehouse goes beyond the function of a general warehouse. This warehouse type is used to ship goods and products from it.
Because it’s a shipping hub, location is a critical factor in a distribution warehouse. Access to airports and other shipping hubs is critical for efficiency in moving products.
If a company distributes, then easy access to major roadways is key for this type of property.
Specialized Warehouse
A specialized warehouse handles out-of-the-ordinary product storage. In some cases, the warehouse holds unusual products. In other cases, the specialized warehouse might be a rental facility for people with unique storage needs.
A specialized warehouse might hold barrels and cases of wine that need to age before distribution. This type of facility might hold antique and vintage cars or art.
Hazardous Material Warehouses
Hazardous material warehouses are much different because of the things stored in them.
There are many considerations for this type of warehouse. It must be secure to ensure the materials don’t get into the wrong hands. The warehouse must also have the right storage inside to ensure materials don’t mix or combust.
Workers’ safety in these facilities is also important because the materials are likely flammable, corrosive, or otherwise dangerous.
Cold Storage Warehouse
Another type of warehouse is one that stores items that must be kept cool or refrigerated.
A cold storage warehouse might store food, flowers, or medications that need to be kept cool.
Inside the warehouse, you’re likely to find huge refrigeration units that are big enough to manage the storage, too.
Heavy Industrial Buildings
Another industrial space you might need is for heavy industry. These are typically huge locations with ample space for heavy equipment to move and function.
This type of facility will have big storage areas to hold all the materials needed for manufacturing. They will also house abundant heavy equipment used while manufacturing and after.
It is likely to be retrofitted with the exact needs of the occupant for things like user-specific drainage, ductwork, ventilation systems, and chemical lines.
Light Manufacturing Buildings
Another form of industrial real estate is a facility used for light manufacturing. This type of building is typically smaller than one used for heavy industry.
It may have fewer needs to make the facility functional in the manufacturing process.
Data Centers
One newer type of industrial facility is one used as a data center. Companies with many computer servers and equipment might use this type of building off-site from their main location to hold the computer equipment.
Often computers, servers, and other telecommunications equipment must be in a cool environment, so a temperature-controlled warehouse is key for this use.
Research and Development Facilities
It might surprise you how many industrial sites are actually used by companies for research and development.
An industrial location is good for R&D because it has plenty of space to set up research and then use it to develop products or prototypes.
Showrooms
Another type of commercial real estate is a showroom. A business with products or materials that need display but might not function well in a traditional storefront will often use more industrial, commercial spaces to showcase a product.
Sometimes these showrooms are attached to a light industrial location or a warehouse that displays the materials.
A business that wants a commercial showroom will want to consider a location that gets more traffic in an effort to bring in the customer.
Truck Terminal
A business that works in the distribution of products or a company that handles its own trucking might also need a trucking terminal for its fleet of trucks.
A truck terminal should include:
- Parking spaces for trucks
- Service bays for maintenance
- Repair areas and tool storage
- Fueling stations
These facilities may partner with other industrial buildings and include places to load and unload cargo.
Know Your Options With These Types of Industrial Buildings
Now that you know about the different types of industrial buildings, you can decide what best meets your industry’s needs. There’s a host of available industrial real estate waiting for you in Orange County.
Let us help you find the right property for you. If you’re in the market to sell, we’ll help you get the best buyer. Call us today at (877) 775-9625 or contact us through our website and see available properties.
