Floridians can face hours of drivetime between major metropolitan areas.
This is what makes RealCold’s warehouse in Lakeland such a strategic location. The 377,317-square-foot, Class A cold storage facility anchors logistics for perishable goods between Orlando and Tampa and strengthens the food supply chain throughout the Sunshine State.
Sitting on the Interstate 4 corridor, the facility supports distribution to 22 million customers for one-day delivery and up to 96 million customers within a two-day delivery window nationwide.
RealCold’s layout includes five convertible freezer environments that range in temperature from minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit to 55 degrees. This flexibility allows for a variety of third-party lessees.
The project is a boon not only to food distribution but also to the economic development of the region. Housing RealCold corporate offices, the facility has created 100 jobs, anchoring long-term employment.
“The region’s diverse workforce is another strong advantage for this project,” said Janet Galvin, co-founder and tenant and landlord representation for Archon Commercial Advisors, who was a judge in the CoStar Impact Awards competition. “Its proximity to major population centers enables RealCold to efficiently serve a large customer base, strengthening the company’s ability to meet rising demand for cold storage services across the state.”
The development’s impact and possible impact on the economic development in region is why it earned a CoStar Impact Award, as judged by regional real estate experts.
About the project: RealCold’s facility incorporates energy-efficient design strategies, including optimized energy performance, enhanced refrigerant management, reduced outdoor water use, low-emitting materials and indoor air-quality controls.
What the judges said: “The development of a Class A cold storage facility of this size is impressive and will have a true impact on the food service industry along the I-4 corridor,” said Laura Carroll, the city of Orlando’s real estate division manager. “The effort to obtain LEED certification highlights the developer’s commitment to sustainability.”
“Developing cold storage facilities is very complex and cost a lot of capital to pull off. Very important use in our market,” said Adam Wonus, partner with Atrium Management Co.
They made it happen: Involved in the project were RealCold CEO Keith Goldsmith, COO James Kosann and senior vice president of construction Mike Llewellyn; ARCO National Construction’s operations manager Mark Buerck, project manager Cameron Lange and superintendent Tony Powell; and Dan Perth, architect with GMA Architects.