Industrial

By Cliff Booth, founder & chairman, Westmount Realty Capital Shallow bay industrial, often defined as product with suites between 2,000 and 30,000 square feet, has proven to be a resilient and attractive commercial real estate investment for the past four decades. Today, a combination of persistent tenant demand, flexible space configurations, favorable lease structures and limited new supply continues to drive investor interest in this subcategory of industrial product, including increased institutional capital flows. Shallow bay industrial remains a standout in commercial real estate portfolios — here’s why. Consistent Tenant Demand, Diversification Shallow bay industrial properties cater to a broad spectrum of users, ranging from local contractors and logistics providers to regional distributors and e-commerce firms. These tenants are drawn to highly functional suites that support frequent changes in business operations, from manufacturing to last-mile delivery. Research from JLL shows that over the past decade, the annual average leasing volume in the shallow bay category has been about 250 million square feet, evidencing stable demand through multiple economic cycles.​ The multi-tenant structure of shallow bay buildings reduces single-tenant risk and enhances asset stability. A project might host five to 50 tenants, with no single occupant accounting for more than 10 percent …