New or existing Calgary industrial park: what’s better for your business?

New or used? That is the question.

New Calgary industrial park - some pros

• New parks typically feature modern transportation infrastructure for smooth access and egress, and state-of-the-art utilities for water, power, natural gas, and communications connectivity.
• New parks give you a chance to develop a new building, which can be cost-effective to operate (thanks to energy efficient design) and crafted to meet specific business requirements, such as large ceiling heights for warehousing.
• New parks, such as The City of Calgary's Point Trotter, can be great places to work, thanks to sidewalks, street lighting and green spaces.
• Some parks have been deliberately situated to provide great access to major transportation routes and intermodal facilities, which is a huge plus if your business needs to move goods from ports and access to markets outside Calgary.
• New parks can be less expensive, as land costs can be lower if the park is located in Calgary's outskirts.

New Calgary industrial park - some cons

 

• New parks require new building construction, which can be costly and require significant time to complete.
• Amenities and services for employees in new parks can be sparse at first and don't arrive on the scene until well after a park is fully developed and occupied.
• New parks may not be convenient for employees, as they are often situated in outlying areas far from public transportation routes.

Existing Calgary industrial park - some pros

• Older industrial parks, such as Alyth and Manchester, are closer to downtown, making them ideal for businesses requiring proximity to city center
• Older industrial parksoffer a wide variety of building types, and different building styles and designs
• Older industrial parksare well-suited for service and retail businesses, which need to tap Calgary's population density
• Older industrial parkshave well-established services, offer occupants a variety of places to eat and shop

Existing Calgary industrial park - some cons

• Older industrial parks may pose significant egress challenges, as the surrounding transportation infrastructure can be older, with narrow roads and driveways and congested streets.
• Some sites in the older industrial parks have large building site coverage, which translates into less marshalling area for large trucks and less parking.
• Buildings are older and may require updating or layout changes to accommodate operational needs.