General Architecture of an Industrial Real Estate Building

The key features of some industrial real estate are buildings with an open box, high ceilings and multiple loading docks. These buildings lend themselves to users who need to manufacture goods or store large quantities of products.

Loading docks are an especially key feature of industrial real estate and are essential when offloading large volumes of product or materials. Most loading docks are equipped with a load leveler, a steel plate that moves straight up and down. There is a lip on the leveler to ensure the driver of the forklift does not fall in the space between the truck and the floor of the building. Most docks are exactly four feet high to match the height of over-the-road trucks. If the products cannot be easily moved in and out of an industrial building via loading docks, the building is essentially useless to many end users.

Generous ceiling heights, ranging from 20’ to 44’ high, are also very important. High ceilings are essential for companies who need to stack large amounts of inventory.

The following topics in this lesson provide insight into the most common types of industrial real estate properties and their utilizations. As you review each industrial property type, consider the functionality of that property and how its use benefits, supports, and contributes to our everyday lives and societal framework.