Industrial Outdoor Storage Market Update

MARKET INSIGHTS | INDUSTRIAL OUTDOOR STORAGE

By Brooks Courtney, SIOR
Vice President | Bridge Commercial
September 30, 2026

Demand Remains Concentrated in Smaller IOS Sites
Charleston’s industrial outdoor storage market remains fundamentally healthy, although leasing velocity has moderated from the pace experienced during the last several years. Tenant activity has become increasingly selective, with the greatest depth of demand currently concentrated among users seeking approximately two to four acres.

Location and Functionality Continue to Drive Performance
Despite longer decision-making timelines, well-located and functional IOS sites have continued to show pricing resilience, particularly around the port, I-26/I-526 and Charleston’s core industrial corridors. Larger tracts and secondary locations are seeing longer marketing periods and more pricing sensitivity, while the best sites continue to perform well.

Charleston IOS Outlook
Overall, Charleston’s limited supply of properly zoned outdoor storage, along with continued port, manufacturing, construction and logistics demand, keeps us positive on the long-term outlook for IOS.

BROOKS COURTNEY, SIOR is a Vice President at Bridge Commercial with extensive experience across Industrial Logistics & Manufacturing, Industrial Outdoor Storage (IOS) and Industrial Cold Storage. He has been recognized as one of the nation’s Top 10 IOS Leasing Brokers by the IOS List for three consecutive years.