When Red Rock Development announced plans to move ahead on the second phase of its Sandy Run Industrial Park and add another 1,161,888 square feet of distribution space in West Columbia, where around 1.3 million square feet was already under construction, there was some concern in industry circles that developers may be getting a little 'out over their skis.'
But the lightning-quick purchase last year of a 519,792-square-foot building in the Sandy Run park by global paint, surface and coating company PPG more than allayed concerns and validated the depth of demand for speculative industrial space throughout the region.
The sale of the building, located just outside of Columbia along I-26 in Gaston, closed in 30 days and earned the sale a CoStar Impact Award for sale/acquisition of the year, as selected by a panel of judges assembled from local industry experts who cited the deal as a milestone for industrial growth in the region.
Built in 2024 as a speculative building on a 64-acre site, the first building completed in Sandy Run Phase II is a facility that features 40’ high ceilings over eight-inch thick concrete floors. Columbia-based Red Rocks Developments struck a deal in late 2025 with PPG, the Pittsburgh-based paint and surface coating company with operations in over 70 countries.
For Robb McCarter, Director of Research, NAI Columbia, the Sandy Phase II sale, “...moves the conversation beyond just the Columbia city limits and proves that the I-26 corridor can effectively bridge the gap between the Upstate, the Midlands and the Lowcountry."
About the project:
Developed by Red Rock Developments, the Sandy Run Phase II building sold for $49.4 million and is located near major interstates and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, as well as a number of other large-scale logistic operators such as Amazon, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, Volvo, BMW and Scout Motors.
What the judges said:
"This deal isn't just a win for the brokers involved; it’s a milestone for the region’s long-term industrial growth. While other deals might be larger in pure scale, Sandy Run Phase 2 is significant because it shifts the gravity of the Midlands," said Robb McCarter, director of research for NAI Columbia.
"The purchase of a spec project this size and scope has a number of related advantages to the overall market and points to the feasibility of such projects in the future," said Peyton Bryant, managing partner of Trinity Partners.
They made it happen:
Managing Director Charles "Chuck" Salley SIOR, and Vixce Presidents Thomas Beard and John Peebles SIOR, all with Colliers, were the listing broker.
CoStar Research Manager Brian Dehart contributed to this report.