Industrial Insights V1 2025 FINAL 4.28.25 - Flipbook - Page 10
WHAT DEVELOPERS SAW IN 2020
In 2020, the industrial market was marked by ultra-low vacancy, record absorption, and one of the
most active construction pipelines in the Southeast. For developers, the signals couldn’t have been
stronger: modern port infrastructure was coming online, access to a massive consumer base made
Charleston a natural distribution hub, and institutional capital was 昀氀owing freely. Layered on top
of that were the early indicators of an industrial evolution. Emerging industries like EV, aerospace,
and advanced manufacturing were beginning to reshape the region’s economic identity. To many,
Charleston didn’t just look like a strong industrial market, it looked like the next big one.
PORT INFRASTRUCTURE
Deepened harbor, opening of the Leatherman Terminal,
SC Ports acquisition of WestRock Paper Mill (for future
expansion), Wando Welch CAPEX, near-dock intermodal
have all created long-term con昀椀dence in Charleston’s role
as a logistics hub.
ACCESS TO POPULATION CENTERS
Charleston is 昀椀rmly planted within a day’s drive to 100+
million consumers via I-26 and I-95.
INSTITUTIONAL CAPITAL INTEREST
Dogwood Properties acquiring TradePark East, Trinity
Captial developing Jedburg Logistics Park, Citimark developing Coastal Crossroads. These are just a few
examples showing institutional activity in Charleston,
when capital was abundant and cheap.
BURGEONING INDUSTRIES
Major expansions in aerospace (Boeing), automotive
(Volvo, Mercedes-Benz Vans), and the early momentum of
electric vehicle and battery production (Redwood Materials) began positioning the region as a high-tech
manufacturing corridor.
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