Between 2020 and the third quarter of this year, monthly rents across eight major markets surged 103.5% to reach nearly $11,000 per usable acre. Gains have been particularly pronounced in logistics hubs like Baltimore, Houston, and Norfolk due to their critical connections to rail lines, highways, and seaports. Meanwhile, tight supply persists because scarce, properly zoned storage parcels are frequently redeveloped into indoor warehouses. Even so, individual owners still control significant inventory, and well-located sites as small as three to five acres continue to generate lucrative returns.
Key points
Outdoor storage rent growth has outperformed traditional indoor warehouses by a wide marg…: Outdoor storage rent growth has outperformed traditional indoor warehouses by a wide margin over the past four years.
Demand for these specialized yards is heavily supported by equipment needs tied to artifi…: Demand for these specialized yards is heavily supported by equipment needs tied to artificial intelligence expansion and energy infrastructure.
Local operators still retain substantial market share despite major consolidation efforts…: Local operators still retain substantial market share despite major consolidation efforts led by large alternative asset managers.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
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