Empty warehouse space can bounce back
With changing needs of industry, purpose-built warehouses can often become redundant.
But this industrial space, by its very nature, is highly flexible for development - with a little imagination.
Conversion into office space is one option, but there are many other uses for unused warehouses which take advantage of their size, shape and adaptability.
In Copenhagen, warehouses on Paper Island near the city centre were turned into an indoor street food market in 2014.
The site, which has now become a successful tourist attraction, hosts about 40 food stalls, food trucks, containers and bars.
In the UK, empty warehouses have found new lives as art spaces, theatres, indoor five-aside pitches, or been subdivided to create smaller workspaces for start-up companies.
Iain Landsman, associate director at CBRE in Aberdeen, says that the company has had inquiries about such spaces being used for gyms and climbing walls too.
He says: “Since the Scottish Government introduced rates for vacant industrial buildings, owners with an empty property have been faced with bills and the option to demolish or diversify.”
There are innate advantages for owners and lease holders to reconsider warehouse use and occupiers, particularly those in the leisure industry, can find them uniquely fit for purpose.
Practically, their interior space can be adapted for almost any purpose and open floorplans are much easier to modify than a traditional office building.
Because the ceilings are high, there is sometimes the option to build a new floor, meaning warehouses potentially have nearly twice as much usable space than meets the eye.
Planning approval to modify the use of the space could be simpler to attain, than building from scratch.
Since a warehouse is a former industrial building, most uses would be likely to be viewed as having a lesser impact on the surrounding area.
However, Landsman says: “Planners sometimes have an issue with encouraging the public into industrial areas so location is important. That being said,mostwarehouseswillcome with an exterior yard which can be used for car parking.”
A good example of the use of a former industrial building is found at Highclere Business Park in Inverurie.
The 30,421sq ft warehouse was left empty by the downturn in the oil industry, but has just been launched as the first trampoline park in Aberdeenshire.
Skyline Trampoline Park, has taken a 10-year lease after planning permission was granted by Aberdeenshire Council. In addition to a trampoline arena, the centre features a cafe area and party rooms, a dodgeball court, battle beams, foam pits, tumble tracks, an open jump area and a traverse wall.
The venture is expected to bring about 50 new jobs to the area once fully established.
Landsman says: “In recent years, trampoline parks have become increasingly popular throughout the UK. It is a unique use of industrial space in an accessible area.”
Julie Mackenzie, of Skyline, says: “We’re very excited to have to opened after securing the perfect premises for our vision.”
Landsman adds: “With a dampening in demand from the energy sector, such examples represent an opportunity for landlords to look at alternative uses and diversify their tenant mix in buildings they hold in their portfolio.”
“Planners sometimes have an issue with encouraging the public into industrial areas”
IAIN LANDSMAN
CBRE