This month, while perusing AreaDevelopment’s latest news, I read a wonderful article, “Your Next Factory Might Already Be Built,” by Bradley Migdal, Executive Managing Director, Americas Strategic Consulting, at Cushman & Wakefield. All over the country, we see construction of new commercial and industrial buildings (greenfield) while older, outdated buildings (brownfield) lay vacant and abandoned. Migdal reminds us that, sometimes, these properties could truly be a diamond in the rough. Why may retrofitting an existing building be a better option than building from scratch? It all boils down to infrastructure.
In his article, Migdal touches on several reasons existing facilities may be preferable to building new. These include readily available power and water, ample space for truck maneuvering, established rail spurs, and fewer hassles with zoning and regulations which may delay new projects. Overall, with good bones and existing infrastructure, older facilities may provide the best option for manufacturers looking to expand or relocate on a strict budget or timeline. Migdal also highlights another major benefit: the cost savings can allow for funds to be used where they really count – on processes, production, and automation.
Has your business recently expanded operations? Was a brownfield or greenfield site chosen? I’d love to hear what factored into your site selection decision-making process!
Migdal, B. (2025, October). Your next factory might already be built. Area Development. https://www.areadevelopment.com/corporate-site-selection-factors/q3-2025/your-next-factory-might-already-be-built.shtml