Multi-story industrial has been a kind of abstract idea as a solution to the growing supply constraints and industrial needs in Southern California—but it is likely closer than you think to becoming a reality. Designer Ware Malcomb has created a multi-story industrial design prototype in response to increasing demands from developers. The firm says that this model is the future of urban industrial, and it meets the unique needs of ecommerce and last-mile delivery companies.

The firm approached the design prototype with three fundamental rules in mind. First, the building layout cannot compromise tenant functionality, including truck yards and doors, racking, aisles and clear heights, for example. Next, the building structure and systems must be designed to keep the cost as low as possible. Finally, the building must be designed for complete flexibility with the option to be leased as a typical multi-tenant building. “Based on the high volume of inquiries we are receiving, and the multistory site plans our team is processing daily, the interest and demand are consistently increasing,” according to Jay Todisco, EVP at Ware Malcomb, tells GlobeSt.com. “We are currently in final design and engineering on five multi-story distribution projects that will be built in North America.”