How can you increase rentable distribution floorspace and reduce rents in a land constrained area?
With developable land trading for hundreds of dollars per square foot (psf), as is the case in Tokyo, multi-story distribution facilities have become a viable solution in Japan. To date, ProLogis has developed 23 multi-story distribution facilities in Japan, with 13.3 million square feet of floorspace. They vary in size from a two-story steel structure of 139,000 square feet to an eight-story concrete tower of 1.4 million square feet. The foundations of all 23 buildings rest on ProLogis’ patented seismic isolators, which are designed to absorb seismic shocks. Elevators are a standard feature found in most two-to-four story facilities. Goods are loaded or unloaded at dock doors located on the first floor, and elevators are then used to move goods between and among the floors. The facilities feature wedge-shaped ramps, starting at ground level and ending at the second or third floor. The seven-to-eight story distribution centers involve twin spiral ramps and rooftop green spaces as well
