Retail, Industrial, & Investment Property Advisor

What is a flex building? Can I buy an industrial building? What is a commercial condo?

Are you searching for the coveted small industrial space in Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, or San Ramon? Can’t figure out the difference between all these different types of space? You aren’t alone… but search no more! I have compiled a list of industrial and industrial flex spaces that are sure to go fast. Along with what differentiates the types of warehouse and distribution buildings you can find in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Incubator Industrial Warehouse: Testing the market under 1,000 SF

These small incubator spaces are extremely hard to find and only come as a lease option. Currently there is just one space on the market at 650 Square feet with a roll-up door. These are typically part of a larger building that may consist of office and warehouse or even retail and warehouse. With just a handful of these small incubator industrial parks, the current availability is in west Livermore, near the airport.

Flex Office/Industrial Condo’s: Most popular for those who owner-occupy

Generally you will see these listed for sale, think of this as the townhouse for commercial real estate. These are perfect first time ownership of a commercial building, and if your business intends to occupy, you may even qualify for SBA financing with just 10% down payment. HOA’s often maintain exterior areas and parking lots leaving you as an owner responsible for your own building structure. A condo building could consist of just two units or many units within one building. We call these “flex” space because they often have a office component along with a warehouse (and roll-up door loading door). Pleasanton ranks first in having the most inventory of flex office/warehouse, Dublin has some lease product and Livermore has a mix of both sale and lease product that caters to flex users.

Currently available, a 5,200 square foot condo with office and warehouse in Valley Business Park in Pleasanton.

Free-standing Industrial Buildings: The Unicorn!

If you are looking for a building under 10,000 square feet, good luck. Just kidding. But in all seriousness, the inventory of a true free-standing industrial buildings under 10,000 square feet is extremely limited. These buildings are mostly found in Livermore with a few scattered in Dublin, Pleasanton and San Ramon. If you need yard space, the hot bed for these buildings is west Livermore, near the airport and Isabell Avenue. There are 3-4 blocks of free standing buildings with yard near the airport. These can be found both as sale and lease product, and again, if you are an owner occupant, potential SBA financing.

Currently listed at $375 per square foot — a west Livermore gem with retail frontage, 6,000 square foot building with a small secure yard area. This area is known for great access via 580 and highway 84 and NO hoa.

Warehouse with dock high loading: The start size for ecommerce distribution and 3PL’s

If you need dock high loading and under 10,000 square feet, these are few and far between, and almost always part of a larger building. These types of spaces occasionally pop up in Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore (but don’t really exist in San Ramon). They are off the market quicker than they came on the market. Most coveted recently by small 3PL’s and expansion for larger distribution companies.

What’s available? Just one space currently available with a dock loading, located on west side of Livermore at 9,000 square feet.

Flex Retail and Warehouse: A growing Sector

Often called a “showroom”, these are the buildings that offer a retail frontage with warehouse in the rear. They can offer the best of both retail and industrial and are incredibly utilitarian. Most are part of a larger retail or industrial park, that just so happen to have the premier frontage and/or a roll-up door in the back. This type of space has gained popularity over the past 24 month as many businesses have combined their manufacturing or distribution needs with the retail storefront. Rarely available for sale, primarily these are found for lease in Dublin, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Livermore.

Currently available

4,800 Square feet on Dublin Boulevard in Dublin, endcap with excellent retail front, rear loading

2,800 square feet on First Street in Livermore, include retail front and roll-up loading

Need more info on any of these? Have more questions? Feel free to contact me jmasuer@lee-associates.com