Atlanta Industrial Real Estate: Examining a Southeast Logistics Hub

Ryan Hansen serves as senior vice president and Atlanta market officer for Link Logistics, where he oversees approximately 40 million square feet of warehouse and distribution facilities across the Southeast's largest industrial market. With deep expertise in Atlanta's diverse submarkets and emerging demand drivers, Ryan helps businesses navigate opportunities in one of the country's largest metro areas. His portfolio spans traditional distribution centers serving the region's growing population to specialized facilities supporting Atlanta's booming data center construction and e-commerce fulfillment sectors. In this Q&A, Ryan discusses Atlanta's infrastructure advantages, unique demand trends including ancillary data center activity, and why the market continues to attract warehouse and logistics operations.

What's driving demand for industrial real estate in Atlanta right now?

Ryan: Atlanta has several foundational advantages. It's the economic engine of the Southeast and one of the 10 largest metros in the country, so there's a large population base that needs to be serviced. The market is well-positioned from an infrastructure standpoint—multiple major interstates, plus close proximity to the Port of Savannah (the third-busiest container port in the country) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport.

But we're also seeing unique trends driving new demand in 2025. Two major growth areas are ancillary data center demand and continued expansion of e-commerce operations focused on last-mile delivery within the Atlanta market. On the e-commerce side, while Amazon has been a significant player here for years, we're seeing increased competition for quick-delivery product fulfillment, particularly from overseas retailers like Temu and Shein. These companies often partner with third-party logistics providers for fulfillment and that's creating new warehouse demand.

Can you explain the data center connection to industrial real estate demand?

Ryan: Atlanta has a lot of data center construction happening right now. We initially thought data centers might compete with industrial real estate by taking land that could have been used for warehouses, but instead we're seeing significant ancillary demand for industrial space.

This demand comes from two sources. First, the construction companies building the data centers need space to stage equipment and materials during construction. We've had proposals from groups helping build data centers who need facilities for this purpose.

Second, these are hugely complex buildings with massive computing power and infrastructure that constantly needs servicing. Here in the Atlanta warehouse market, we're seeing electrical suppliers, equipment providers and maintenance companies looking for additional warehouse space as they ramp up to service more data centers completing construction in the area.

What other trends should businesses know about when considering Atlanta for warehouse and distribution operations?

Ryan: Atlanta has always been pro-business, and that mindset continues to be a major differentiator. After working in other municipalities and states, it's very clear that Atlanta offers a business-friendly environment. There are numerous tax credits and incentives available that we see customers and prospective customers pursuing.

Labor availability is another critical factor. One of the first things we hear from customers when touring spaces is that labor—both white-collar and blue-collar—is their biggest operational challenge. Atlanta is fortunate to have a strong talent pool thanks to the growing population base. People want to live here, which means businesses have access to the workforce they need to staff their operations effectively.

How does Link Logistics support companies looking for warehouse space in Atlanta?

Ryan: We offer several advantages. First, we have a best-in-class infill portfolio. Our properties are located where businesses want to be—infill locations with access to major interstates and proximity to labor markets. These locations allow companies to service Atlanta and the broader Southeast efficiently.

Second, with approximately 40 million square feet of industrial space in Atlanta, we have one of the market's largest portfolios. This scale gives us flexibility that many competitors can't match. When a customer grows and needs more space, we can often help them find another location within our portfolio that works for their expanding operations.

Finally, we have a comprehensive local team including in-house asset management, property management and construction management. This creates a seamless experience for customers—they know they're working with experts, and they know exactly who to call when issues arise or questions come up about their building.

Are there Atlanta submarkets where Link Logistics’ portfolio is particularly strong?

Ryan: We have an excellent presence in Northeast Atlanta with a mix of smaller-bay product for local businesses and mom-and-pop operations, as well as modern Class-A buildings with the loading capacity and clear heights needed for efficient distribution. This submarket is really the heart of Atlanta's industrial real estate market.

Another key area is the I-20 West submarket, where our Douglas Hills Logistics Center development is. This is a four-building complex with just over 800,000 square feet that's incredibly well-positioned for ancillary data center demand. It's located right in the main data center development corridor, and we've had significant interest from companies planning to service data center operations.

Looking ahead, what makes Atlanta attractive as a Southeast hub for warehouse and logistics operations?

Ryan: The combination of infrastructure advantages positions Atlanta for continued strong industrial real estate demand. You have multiple transcontinental highways, major rail presence, the world's busiest airport and proximity to the country's third-busiest port in Savannah. Add to that a growing population base that's creating consumption demand, and Atlanta has the tailwinds for sustained warehouse and distribution growth.

These aren't temporary advantages—they're structural factors that make Atlanta a compelling long-term market for companies establishing or expanding their Southeast logistics footprint.

Explore available warehouse and distribution space for lease in Atlanta to learn more about industrial real estate opportunities in the Southeast.