Industrial real estate has gone from an overlooked asset class to one of the most closely watched sectors in commercial real estate. But as warehouse demand evolves, investors are paying closer attention to smaller industrial spaces, industrial outdoor storage (IOS), and the features that make properties attractive to tenants. Which trends are creating opportunities, and what should owners and investors be watching?
In this episode, Aviva Sonenreich and Chad Griffiths, Partner and Commercial Real Estate Agent at NAI Commercial Real Estate, discuss the trends shaping industrial real estate across the United States and Canada.
Chad shares how e-commerce and supply chain changes transformed warehouse demand over the past two decades, why industrial vacancy has increased in certain markets, and how tariff uncertainty has affected leasing and investment decisions. They also examine the growing interest in small-bay industrial properties and industrial outdoor storage, two segments attracting attention from investors seeking functional, well-located industrial assets.
Aviva and Chad compare their ideal warehouse investments, discussing tenant sizes, building configurations, loading access, outdoor storage, and the operational features that support long-term demand. Drawing on their experience as industrial real estate brokers and property owners, they explore what makes an industrial property competitive and how investors can position themselves for changing market conditions.
Key Topics Discussed
- How e-commerce transformed industrial real estate and warehouse demand
- Industrial real estate trends across the United States and Canada
- How tariffs and economic uncertainty affect industrial leasing decisions
- Why industrial vacancy rates have increased in certain markets
- How changing supply chains influence warehouse and distribution requirements
- Why small-bay industrial properties continue to attract investor interest
- The advantages of multi-tenant industrial buildings and smaller warehouse units
- Growing investor demand for industrial outdoor storage (IOS)
- How zoning, yard space, and site coverage influence industrial property value
- What makes an industrial property attractive to tenants and investors
- Chad’s ideal 50,000-square-foot multi-tenant industrial development
- Why flexible unit sizes and efficient loading configurations matter
- How warehouse design, parking, and truck maneuverability affect functionality
- What industrial investors can learn from major industrial REITs like Prologis
- How brokers can build stronger relationships through market knowledge and meaningful outreach
About the Guest
Chad Griffiths is a Partner and Commercial Real Estate Agent at NAI Commercial Real Estate, specializing in industrial properties across Canada. With extensive experience in industrial sales, leasing, and investment, Chad helps businesses and investors navigate warehouse, distribution, and industrial real estate opportunities. He is also an author and content creator who shares practical insights on industrial market trends, property evaluation, and investment strategies. Known for his engaging and often humorous approach, Chad makes complex industrial real estate topics accessible to brokers, investors, and business owners.
About the Host
Aviva Sonenreich is the Managing Broker and Owner of the Warehouse Hotline, a Denver commercial real estate brokerage specializing exclusively in industrial properties. She leads the firm’s brokerage operations, negotiates industrial sales and leasing transactions, advises clients on acquisition and disposition strategies, and oversees the company’s marketing and business development efforts. Through Commercial Real Estate Secrets, she interviews leading investors, brokers, developers, and industry experts to provide actionable insights on commercial real estate investing, brokerage, leasing, development, and market trends.
Looking to Buy, Sell, or Lease Industrial Real Estate in Denver?
As industrial real estate trends evolve, understanding tenant demand, property functionality, and local market conditions is essential to making informed real estate decisions.
Whether you’re evaluating a small-bay industrial investment, considering an industrial outdoor storage property, or searching for warehouse space, having the right brokerage representation can help you identify opportunities and navigate the market.
The Warehouse Hotline specializes in industrial real estate throughout the Denver metro area, helping property owners, investors, buyers, landlords, and tenants with industrial property acquisitions, sales, leasing, and tenant representation.
From evaluating warehouse investments to marketing industrial properties and negotiating leases, our team combines local market knowledge with specialized industrial real estate experience to help clients achieve their real estate goals.
