MIAMI—Ridge Development just acquired 9.75 acres for a new industrial distribution facility in Medley, FL. Spec construction is set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2015 on Airport North Logistics Center, 182,057-square-foot project located at Northwest 87th Avenue and Northwest 90th Street.

Transwestern senior managing directors Walter Byrd and Ben Eisenberg, along with senior vice presidents John Vaught and Thomas Kresse, represented Ridge. The firm was also retained to lease the property. Rodney Langer of Investors CRE represented the seller, Langer Corp.

“Demand for sites with the ability to stage trailers and containers on-site in a secure environment is increasing as land sites are absorbed and security requirements of users and U.S. Customs intensify,” says Byrd. “Airport North Logistics Center's exceptional access to the Palmetto Expressway, Okeechobee Road and the Florida Turnpike will be enhanced once the Northwest 87th Avenue extension is completed.”

The new industrial development will maximize efficiency for loading and racking by offering 32-foot clear ceiling height, 60-foot speed bay, 235-foot building depth and column spacing of 43 feet nine inches by 54 feet. With two access points, the project will include 72 trailer drops, 46 dock-high doors and two street dock ramps. Delivery of the project is estimated for the summer of 2016.

Steve Kros, executive vice president at Ridge, says “The building will be ideal for regional distributors as well as port- and airport-related users.” Airport North Logistics Center will be Ridge's second new project commitment in Florida this year. The firm is also developing Lakeland Logistics Center, a 490,000-square-foot industrial project in Lakeland, and is pursuing additional opportunities in both south and central Florida.