Industrial expansion drives economic growth in KC's Northland

JLL has been selected to oversee leasing for Building C at the Platte International Commerce Center, a premier industrial facility developed by VanTrust Real Estate in Platte City, Mo. Offering 526,502 SF of industrial space, the property provides flexible leasing opportunities starting at 130,000 SF, with the potential for future expansion to 1.1 million SF. This new phase follows the full lease-up of Building B, a 748,833 SF speculative project now occupied by Central Power Systems & Services.

JLL executives Phillip Algrim, managing director, and Kevin Wilkerson, senior managing director, lead the leasing strategy for Building C.

“The Kansas City metro remains a critical hub for supply chain and logistics operations,” Algrim said. “Its strategic position in the Northland submarket, proximity to a top-tier airport, and excellent transportation connectivity make Platte International Commerce Center an attractive option for many tenants. We look forward to helping businesses capitalize on these advantages.”

Strategically located within the Kansas City metro area, the center boasts direct access to interstates I-29 and I-435, offering seamless connectivity to key markets. Kansas City’s central location allows companies to reach most U.S. destinations within a two-day drive. The facility is within a 12-hour drive of significant freight hubs, including Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and St. Louis, making it ideal for e-commerce and logistics operations.

VanTrust Real Estate designed the Platte International Commerce Center to meet modern business needs, emphasizing state-of-the-art facilities and logistical convenience.

“This development represents our dedication to creating high-quality distribution centers that drive economic growth in the Kansas City region,” said David Rezac, vice president of development at VanTrust Real Estate. “Partnering with JLL allows us to provide a seamless leasing experience and ensure tenants thrive in this prime location.”

The project’s design and construction were executed by a team that includes Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Olsson Engineers, and M+H Architects.

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Header Image: The main entrance to Building C at the Platte International Commerce Center in Platte City, Mo. Image credit: M+H Architects

PepsiCo joins Logistics Park Kansas City

PepsiCo Global will soon be moving into the state-of-the-art Inland Port VII building at Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC), a 3,000-acre, master-planned distribution and warehouse development in Edgerton, Kan.

“PepsiCo chose Edgerton and LPKC because they can see the clear advantages of locating at the premiere logistics and distribution center in the Midwest,” said Edgerton Mayor Donald Roberts.

PepsiCo signed a lease for the 952,956-SF space, where the global food and beverage company plans to distribute their popular Gatorade product line.

“PepsiCo/Gatorade is an excellent addition to the Edgerton business community. LPKC is a convenient, versatile hub that can meet the needs of any company’s supply chain. Edgerton’s proximity to key services and partners is one of the main reasons businesses experience success at LPKC,” said ElevateEdgerton! president, James Oltman.

Built by Northpoint Development, the facility was the largest speculative building in the Kansas City metro and in the state of Kansas when it was completed earlier this year. JLL managing director, Kevin Wilkerson, and executive vice president, Phil Algrim, represented NorthPoint in the negotiation.

“Inland Port VII is the latest delivery in a long line of industry leading logistics products, bringing together accessibility to quality labor and cutting-edge technology in one centralized location,” Wilkerson said.

Since 2013, LPKC has amassed over 14.4 million SF of industrial space for over twenty tenants; work has already started on the next spec industrial building at LPKC.

About PepsiCo: PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $67 billion in net revenue in 2019, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 23 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

MWM Industrial Summit signals continued strong market

A panel of leading Kansas City commercial real estate developers, builders and municipal leaders shared insight into the region's booming industrial market at MetroWireMedia's 2017 Industrial Summit on Friday, Aug. 25 at Blue Hills Country Club. 

Here's a snapshot of industry insight from our panelists:

“We are seeing about 60 percent of users come from outside the Kansas City area, and we are on pace to deliver over 10 million square feet this year."  -Kevin Wilkerson, JLL

“The supply side of industrial development has been somewhat disciplined. Demand has not outpaced supply at all, so we expect it will continue in a healthy fashion.” -Mark Long, Newmark Grubb Zimmer

“Kansas City companies can reach 90 percent of the U.S. in two days' shipping, so a company that years ago believed they needed to be near population densities on the east or west coast can reach 90 percent of their customers right here.” -Mike Bell, Hunt Midwest

“We are seeing more 'small boxes' that are appealing to tenants who want to be in their own space and not have to share a building, or they are a 60,000 to 80,000 square foot tenant and it appeals to them to have a right of first refusal and be in their own space and growing.” -Sam Stahnke, ARCO Construction

“From a long-term perspective, Kansas City has now reached a new level within the country as a major destination for e-commerce distribution, and that’s not going to change. The growth is going to continue for some time.” -Whitney Kerr, Jr., Cushman & Wakefield

“We are looking for opportunities where there is going to be a significant incentive to do business in Kansas City. We aren’t trying to create winners and losers amongst you all; we are trying to create winners for all of you within our Port District.” -Michael Collins, Port KC

“One of the challenges for local government, especially a government as small as Edgerton, is to be aware of what all levels of government are doing and how that might impact our ability to provide attractive incentives. Edgerton is certainly looking for opportunities to be creative and to have incentives that look different from other areas of the country.” -Beth Linn, Edgerton City Administrator

"MetroWireMedia has assembled a group of Kansas City commercial real estate leaders who are at the top of their game in what is without question the strongest industrial real estate market in recent Kansas City history. I look forward to leading the discussion as we hear about best practices for sustaining the momentum in the current red-hot market." -Chris Gutierrez, KC SmartPort

Want more insider scoop? Mark your calendars for MetroWireMedia's 2017 Multi-Family Summit on Oct. 12. Contact Lisa Shackelford for sponsorship information. 

Check out our slideshow below, or head to our Facebook page and tag yourself in the event photos.