Defining Features
- Place in the Market
- Is it Right for Your Business?
- Contact RISE
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Top Features Should it Have?
- How Important Are Flexible Lease Terms?
- Suitable for an Expanding Ecommerce Business?
Small bay industrial can be explained as modern commercial spaces of up to approximately 5,000 square feet within a larger industrial building. The total building size for small bay units is less than 200,000 square feet and typically between 50,000 to 100,000 square feet.
Small bays are a growing segment in U.S. industrial real estate. The market should see a rise in small bay industrial spaces, as they support the economy in various ways.
Small Bay Industrial Defining Features
The size, occupancy and use of industrial real estate help define different spaces. A small bay industrial property is commercial real estate with the following key features:
- A total square footage of less than 200,000 square feet.
- Numerous smaller spaces for tenants ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 feet, with the average being 5,000 feet.
- A commercial space with anywhere between 20 and 100 tenants.
- Flexible layouts for various business needs.
These customizable spaces include office spaces, storage and warehousing areas with loading bays. They may also be called flex spaces or office warehouses.
What Is Small Bay Industrial’s Place in the Market?
Small bay industrial real estate represents one of the largest sectors in the market, showing a clear need for small commercial spaces for various tenants. Approximately one-third of industrial real estate is small bay spaces.

There are several meaningful economic benefits in having more small bay industrial buildings. For businesses, small bay spaces have a lower cost per square foot compared to mid-bay, big-box and other commercial real estate. Sharing a space with more tenants makes each business contribution to maintenance and operating costs far less. These cost-saving benefits are vital for providing small businesses and startups with viable options.
Another economic benefit of small bay industrial spaces is their flexibility. Many small bay options have shorter lease agreements that allow businesses to scale up or down as needed to stay profitable during seasonal fluctuations in the market. Small bays also support diverse industries and business needs by offering office spaces, storage and warehousing. This mix of uses allows companies to adapt and expand their business models. The right small bay space helps businesses consolidate their administrative and operational processes.
One of the standout features of the small bay industrial market is that it has been a major player in supporting, sustaining and expanding e-commerce. These spaces are crucial for last-mile delivery and enable regional distribution. More small bay spaces can optimize delivery times to end users, making them a critical part of the modern supply chain.
Determining if Small Bay Industrial Space Is Right for Your Business
Small bay industrial spaces are an excellent choice for various businesses. Flex spaces may be the right choice for your business if you need or prefer the following:
- Lower monthly leasing fees than you would find compared to other commercial real estate options.
- A space where you share facilities and amenities with several other tenants.
- The opportunity to enjoy the benefits of coworking spaces, which may include collaboration to the degree you are most comfortable with.
- A focus on optimizing your operations rather than on maintaining your business facilities.
- A space that suits smaller regional or seasonal operations incredibly well.

Contact RISE to Lease Small Bay Industrial Space
Small bay industrial buildings are a vital part of commercial real estate. A rise in the availability of these spaces would benefit various businesses, especially the e-commerce sector, as these spaces can streamline regional logistics.
RISE Commercial District offers professional small business spaces with flexible leases, including offices, storage units and warehouses. In addition to small bay industrial options, we also have medium and large-size business spaces that suit various industries.
Our secured and well-maintained locations have on-site facility managers and several quality amenities, including 24/7 video monitoring, business Wi-Fi, shared kitchens and restrooms, climate control and forklifts, conference rooms, and dumpsters. Contact us today to explore our various facilities, or watch our virtual tour video today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Business Location
What Top Features Should a Small Bay Industrial Warehouse Have?
Small bay industrial warehouses do not need to lack any of the features bigger warehousing spaces have. When exploring small bay options, you can look for the following top features that indicate a quality business space:
- Accessibility: A good small bay space will have a strategic location that allows easy access for workers, streamlines logistics, and reduces shipping times and costs.
- Flexible configuration: A small bay unit should have a flexible configuration, various space options like offices and storage, and long- and short-term lease agreements.
- Security: It is crucial to find a small bay space with several security features, including a secure perimeter, access control systems, video surveillance, alarm systems and on-site security.
- Amenities: A good small bay space will have quality amenities that serve staff and visitors, as well as technology integrations such as advanced monitoring systems, climate control options and Wi-Fi.
How Important Are Flexible Lease Terms in the Small Bay Market?
Flexible leasing terms are one of the standout features of small bay industrial options. Having flexible and short-term leases is less likely with big-box and mid-bay spaces, and while this suits larger businesses well, stringent lease terms are not viable for small businesses and startups.
At RISE Commercial District, we offer warehouses, office spaces and business storage units that accommodate a range of industries, all available to lease with flexible terms that allow you to adapt your business model as needed.
Is Small Bay Suitable for an Expanding E-Commerce Business?
Small bay spaces can be a viable option if you have an expanding e-commerce business, depending on various factors. For example, it can be a good choice for a larger or more established business that needs additional operational and storage spaces. These spaces can be especially beneficial if your company needs space to streamline your regional logistics.
However, there are also other viable options for your expanding business. At RISE Commercial District, we offer small, medium and large size warehouses and storage units so you can scale up your e-commerce business at your convenience.