Publications

Modernization drivers: High-tech, build-to-suit warehouses are driving growth in U.S. logistics
- January 1, 2026: Vol. 38, Number 1

To read this full article you need to be subscribed to Institutional Real Estate Americas

Modernization drivers: High-tech, build-to-suit warehouses are driving growth in U.S. logistics

by Aasif Bade

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading occupiers have been strategically rethinking their supply-chain operations in an effort to more effectively meet the sustained global demand for ecommerce products. A primary component of this new operational strategy, for firms such as Amazon, UPS, Walmart and others, is investing heavily in high-tech equipment and processes, including robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and other forms of automation within their warehouse facilities. To support these modern requirements, many large-scale occupiers are turning to build-to-suit (BTS) development where they can fully customize properties to support a faster, more complex and more automated supply-chain infrastructure.

These tenants prioritize specific design features, including higher clear heights, high-capacity floor loads, a robust power infrastructure and even floor flatness to the degree of millimeters to accommodate today’s advanced robotics. They are also focuse

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, Click Here.

Forgot your username or password?