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Industries Industrial Distribution & Logistics

Overview

Today’s industrial real estate sector, which includes warehouses, distribution centers, fulfillment centers, flex spaces, and other industrial buildings with storage facilities, is experiencing foundational shifts. Economic factors, tenant need, last-mile delivery, customer returns, and rapid technology evolution are reshaping demand for and design of warehouse space and industrial buildings. The focus is on innovation, developing smarter facilities, and improving the efficiency of and/or repurposing existing properties.

Our Approach

Regarded as a leader in the field, Hinckley Allen’s nationally recognized real estate team provides comprehensive guidance to clients regarding warehousing, logistics, and industrial properties. We assist our clients at every stage, from property acquisition to financing, development, leasing, and operations.

Members of our team have significant experience in negotiating and drafting build-to-suit leases for both owners and tenant/operators and represent a number of REITs on their investments in warehouse and industrial properties. We also represent real estate developers in connection with acquiring and developing data centers, fulfillment centers, and other specialty logistics properties.

Comprehensive Guidance with a 360-Degree Perspective

Serving clients throughout New England and across the nation, we pride ourselves on handling complex transactions, devising innovative solutions, and delivering service on time and on budget. Our focus areas include; e-commerce, construction issues, environmental matters, finance, governmental incentives, land acquisition, leasing, zoning, land use and land development approvals, tax, and tax abatements.

We provide corporate counsel to numerous distribution companies and have significant experience negotiating distribution agreements with national and international suppliers. Our lawyers also provide regulatory, liability, insurance risk, and protection guidance, as well as advice on legal issues that arise in managing the flow of goods and information and the use of technology.

Because we represent property owners, developers, corporations, insurers, landlords and tenants, lenders, and borrowers, we understand the needs and priorities of each of the parties, a perspective that helps us get deals done.

Experience

  • Representing a publicly traded e-commerce home furnishing company with build-to-suit fulfillment center leasing.
  • Representing a large, privately-owned plant propagation company in connection with the leasing of warehouse space for research and development of hemp plant production.
  • Represent a publicly traded industrial REIT in connection with the acquisition of warehouse properties throughout the U.S.
  • Represented a Massachusetts-based real estate investment company in connection with the acquisition of several distribution centers throughout the country.
  • Represented a national, privately owned wholesale grocer in connection with a build-to-suit lease of a refrigerated distribution center in Texas.
  • Represent an established real estate company in acquiring, financing, and developing distribution centers, data centers and fulfillment centers for an international e-commerce company.
  • Representation of a New Hampshire-based warehouse logistics company.
  • Representation of a national appliance store chain in warehouse leases throughout the country.
  • Represented a large Swedish entity in the remediation, reuse, and disposition of legacy manufacturing facilities.
  • Represent a national independent commercial real estate investment and management firm in connection with their asset and property management, acquisition, redevelopment and leasing of retail, industrial, and mixed-use residential properties in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
  • Representing several prefabricators and modular builders in connection with the ownership, leasing and management of industrial and warehouse space.

Newsroom

Publication

Ensuring Seller Accountability: Post-Closing Options for Buyers

November 29, 2023

When it comes to real estate transactions, buyers are protected by the Purchase and Sale Agreement which operates as a contract between the buyer and seller. Purchase and sale agreements typically contain numerous representations and warranties from the seller relating to the property sold. These promises survive the closing of the transaction for a defined period of time which can be anywhere from three (3) to twenty-four (24) months, depending on what is negotiated between seller and buyer.

Publication

The 2023 Cyber Year in Review

December 19, 2023

As we reflect upon 2023, it will unfortunately be remembered as a record-breaking year for ransomware and cybercrime. Data breaches have affected companies of all sizes and in every sector costing the United States billions of dollars in damages. Hackers are increasingly using double and triple extortion tactics that involve encryption, data exfiltration, and distributed denial of service attacks.

Firm News

Hinckley Allen Earns Mansfield Rule Certification

May 23, 2023

Hinckley Allen announced today that it has achieved Mansfield Certification. Mansfield Certification is conferred upon law firms that affirmatively consider historically under-represented candidates -- women, attorneys of color, LGBTQ+ attorneys, and lawyers with disabilities -- for recruiting, leadership roles, equity partner promotions, and inclusion in client pitches.The Mansfield Certification, facilitated by Diversity Lab, is the result of a nearly two-year certification process for Hinckley Allen that began in September 2021 and is part of the law firm’s ongoing commitment to promote d…

Publication

On the Rise: Industrial Outdoor Storage

May 13, 2022

As a result of today’s competitive industrial/e-commerce market, one unique asset class is on the rise – industrial outdoor storage (“IOS”). The IOS market is distinctive in that is does not necessarily require the same type of diligence and development prerequisites as the more traditional industrial market whereby developers are spending much time and money on building and floor plan designs, permitting, financing requirements, and other traditional diligence investigations.The IOS use allows for a much more cost effective and likely efficient deal – simple leasing, streamlined pro…

Case Study

Building for the Better: Amazon's new Facility in Johnston, RI

March 19, 2024

Hinckley Allen client Bluewater Property Group (“BPG”) is a dynamic investment, development and operating platform serving customers across the Northeastern United States, with a deliberate focus on identifying and capitalizing on unique investment opportunities and advisory situations within the US industrial marketplace. Among other such work, BPG identifies and controls sites, and permits and builds facilities for Amazon across the US. On November 19, 2021, Amazon closed on its purchase of approximately 195 acres of land in Johnston, Rhode Island, the site of its planned distribution fa…

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