Ceiling heights are no longer just a design detail. They are redefining industrial competitiveness.
What was considered “modern” in the early 2000s, with 30 to 32 feet of clear height, is quickly becoming functionally obsolete. Today’s logistics users are targeting 36 feet as a baseline and, in many cases, pushing toward 40 feet to support automation, higher racking systems, and greater cubic efficiency.
In Noah Zucker’s latest coverage in Bisnow, Matt Schlindwein, PE, Juan Arias of CoStar Group, Rob Marek of Raise The Roof Logistics, and Erik Foster of Avison Young all weigh in on how automation, power capacity, and capital considerations are reshaping demand for older industrial buildings.
One example highlighted in the article is Greek Design|Build’s project at 35 Kimberly Road in East Brunswick, where LIFTEX Roof Lifting raised the ceiling height from 22 feet to 28 feet to accommodate Colavita USA’s storage requirements, along with a significant power upgrade to support operational needs.
Owners are evaluating creative solutions, including physically raising the roof, to remain competitive in a market where functionality drives occupancy.
Obsolescence in industrial is 𝙣𝙤𝙩 about age.
𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.
📰Read more: https://www.bisnow.com/national/news/industrial/raise-the-roof-low-clear-heights-2000s-warehouse-133188