Ellis Dawes Properties is among the group of developers building in the South Atlanta market around Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. In its first southside project, the company is developing a $20-million warehouse/distribution/office park, the Air Logistics Center at Hartsfield.

Much of the 34-acre site was farmland purchased by Florida Rock Industries Inc. It was recently rezoned for commercial use by the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. Four buildings totaling 439,000 sf are planned for the tract. Two of the structures will be 80,500 sf, one will be 154,000 sf and the fourth 124,000 sf. Rental rates in the area for industrial space range between $4 per sf and $6 per sf.

Ellis Dawes is one of several developers building or planning industrial space to accommodate companies displaced by the airport's growth. The expansion affects approximately 3.4 million sf of industrial property. Most of the businesses are distribution companies, couriers and cargo and freight forwarding firms.