Schenker Leases 273,000 SF at DCT Commerce Center

MIAMI—Two DB Schenker divisions are taking down a massive block of industrial space in West Miami-Dade County. Schenker, Inc. and Schenker Logistics, divisions of the global transportation and logistics giant, inked deals for industrial leases spanning 273,000 square feet at DCT Industrial Trust’s DCT Commerce Center at Pan American West.

“We are excited to expand our presence in Miami,” commented Heiner Murman, Schenker’s CEO for the Americas. “It is a key market and important gateway for our rapidly growing Latin American companies. This logistics center gives us the capability to add new services and solutions for our customers that we believe will be very beneficial.”

In the deal, Schenker significantly expanded its existing Miami branch facility, which provides air and ocean freight distribution services, by signing a deal for 150,000 square feet at industrial Building A. Located at 1801 NW 135th Avenue, the building is still under construction. Occupancy is scheduled for the first quarter of 2013.

Meanwhile, Schenker Logistics more than doubled the size of its existing logistics operation in Miami with a 123,000-square-foot deal in the second industrial building of the project, Building B. Schenker Logistics provides third party logistics services. Also under construction, Building B located at 1800 NW 133rd Avenue. It will be delivered in the second quarter of 2013.

CBRE senior vice president David Albert represented Schenker in the leases. CBRE vice president Devin White negotiated the transaction on behalf of the landlord, DCT Industrial Trust Inc. With these leases, the new buildings are more than 80% occupied.

“DCT Commerce Center’s two building configuration offered a ‘campus’ setting with enhanced security features which was a major driver in Schenker’s decision to locate both divisions at this location” commented Albert. “Additionally, the buildings’ state of the art features and close proximity to Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami made DCT Commerce Center the choice of both companies.”