JLL to lease largest spec industrial building in Morrow County

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 5, 2024 – JLL announced today that it is leasing a newly constructed, 707,940-square-foot, Class A industrial building. Located at 283 Cardinal Drive within 71 North Commerce Center - an industrial park in Columbus’ Marengo submarket - this is the largest speculative industrial building to-date in Morrow County. The building’s flexible design allows it to be expanded to nearly 1.2 million square feet, making it ideal for manufacturing occupiers looking to grow with their facility needs.

JLL Executive Managing Directors, Dan Wendorf and Brian Marsh, and Managing Director, Nick Tomasone, are representing the landlord, H&M Company, Inc., a national engineering and construction firm.

“71 North Commerce Center is primed to provide an expansive, Class A experience just outside of the Columbus metro area,” said Wendorf. “What makes this development so unique is its ability to scale with companies looking to invest in both the space and infrastructure they need for long-term growth.”

A development campus spanning over 300 acres, 283 Cardinal Drive offers cross-dock capability and fully built-out office space. Key features include 36-foot clear heights, 100 dock doors, two drive-in doors with a concrete ramp and a durable 45-mil TPO roofing system. The building’s robust infrastructure - featuring ample gas and power connections - makes it ideal for manufacturing operations.

71 North Commerce Center is optimally located, with a two-minute drive to I-71, a 19-minute drive to I-270 and a 30-minute drive to downtown Columbus. Access to these major transportation routes enable drivers to reach half of the U.S. population within a day’s drive. It’s also within a 10-hour drive of major cities such as Charlotte, Chicago, Indianapolis, New York and Philadelphia.

“Through thoughtful planning and design, this building offers a scalable footprint and robust utilities to support high-capacity operations,” said Mike Farris, Chief Financial Officer at H&M Company, Inc. “We’re excited to offer a space that not only enhances operational efficiency but also accommodates a company’s future growth.”

Morrow County is a strategic location for industrial tenants to access a strong local workforce and proximity to several of the region’s top employers, including Dollar Tree, Nationwide, JP Morgan Chase, OhioHealth and Kroger. 

As found in JLL Columbus’ Q3 2024 Industrial Outlook report, the market experienced significant momentum, with net absorption reaching 2.7 million square feet – the highest quarterly absorption since June 2023. The Columbus industrial market remains robust, supported by consistent tenant demand.

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