A new category of buildings, multi-story warehouses, is beginning to take hold in the U.S. and their potential is strong.
A handful of such facilities, also called “urban logistics buildings” have been built over the past five years, notes a new report by JLL. Multistory warehouses have loading docks and truck ramps on multiple levels. Some facilities employ hydraulic and gantry cranes when truck parking is limited.
“While the U.S. multistory and urban logistics landscape is currently very much in its infancy, there is tremendous potential in the future of multistory and urban logistics in both the established urban logistics markets and emerging logistics markets,” JLL says.
Land availability and zoning ordinances are the primary challenges for growth. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, and Philadelphia are the most promising markets, JLL says. Emerging markets include Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, and Seattle.
Due to a shortage of available land, developers are likely to look for existing buildings for conversions. To offset the carbon footprint of urban logistics buildings, developers can include EV charging stations, rooftop solar panels, and greener delivery methods.
Related Stories
Industrial Facilities | Jul 21, 2017
Ridge breaks ground on two industrial buildings at Charleston Logistics Center
The buildings will total 686,300 sf, with each building accounting for 343,150 sf.
Market Data | Apr 13, 2017
2016’s top 10 states for commercial development
Three new states creep into the top 10 while first and second place remain unchanged.
Warehouses | May 19, 2016
Report finds that e-commerce and new tech is changing warehouses
Companies are integrating new technology and planning to build new warehouses in order to serve customers faster than before.
Warehouses | Mar 8, 2016
Big box warehouse construction continues to increase
As online shopping becomes more popular, many retailers are rushing to build big box warehouses to store and ship items in an effort to keep up with demand.
Market Data | Feb 9, 2016
Cushman & Wakefield is bullish on U.S. economy and its property markets
Sees positive signs for construction and investment growth in warehouses, offices, and retail
Market Data | Jan 20, 2016
Nonresidential building starts sag in 2015
CDM Research finds only a few positive signs among the leading sectors.
| Jan 14, 2016
How to succeed with EIFS: exterior insulation and finish systems
This AIA CES Discovery course discusses the six elements of an EIFS wall assembly; common EIFS failures and how to prevent them; and EIFS and sustainability.
Contractors | Jul 29, 2015
Consensus Construction Forecast: Double-digit growth expected for commercial sector in 2015, 2016
Despite the adverse weather conditions that curtailed design and construction activity in the first quarter of the year, the overall construction market has performed extremely well to date, according to AIA's latest Consensus Construction Forecast.
Office Buildings | Jun 1, 2015
Can you make a new building as cool as a warehouse?
Just as we looked at that boarded up warehouse and thought it could be something other, office towers can be reborn, writes CannonDesign's Robert Benson.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2015
$100 billion 'city from scratch' taking shape in Saudi Arabia
The new King Abdullah Economic City was conceived to diversify the kingdom's oil-dependent economy by focusing more in its shipping industry.
