Leading developer bringing new LEED certified industrial complex designed to support economic growth and positioning to key Southern California logistics location

CapRock Partners is underway on the construction of Phase I of Palomino Ranch, a large-scale, state-of-the-art master-planned industrial warehouse development in Norco, Calif. totaling approximately 2 million square feet across 24 buildings on approximately 112 acres. The initial phase of the Class A project includes eight stand-alone industrial buildings totaling approximately 700,000 square feet on 44 acres.

At total project completion, Palomino Ranch will be the largest industrial real estate development in Norco’s history. The project will be LEED certified and will feature design elements such as wrap-around wooden porches and lantern streetlighting that are reflective of Norco’s equestrian background and nickname, “Horsetown U.S.A.”

“CapRock Partners creates world-class logistics facilities, and our team has made a commitment that all new ground-up development projects we build in California will meet or exceed LEED certification standards going forward, and we are excited to initiate this commitment with the commencement of Palomino Ranch,” said Patrick Daniels, co-founder and chief executive officer at CapRock Partners. “The landmark development is designed to not only satisfy the needs of a wide range of tenants and industries requiring accessible high-quality warehouse space, but it will also reflect Norco’s rich local history and character through its equestrian-themed aesthetic.”

Phase 1 buildings will range from approximately 55,000 square feet to 156,000 square feet, with clear heights from 30 feet to 36 feet. Buildings greater than 20,000 square feet will offer up to 6,000 square feet of mezzanine office space. Other features include secured and unsecured concrete truck courts, 125-foot truck court depth, ESFR sprinklers and up to 4,000 amps of power.

“The Inland Empire industrial real estate market is near full-occupancy as retailers and suppliers continue to shift their strategies in today’s post-pandemic economy,” added Daniels. “Norco is well-positioned geographically for logistics and transportation in the Inland Empire West submarket, within minutes to Orange County, and Palomino’s Phase I will be coming online at an ideal time to provide needed warehouse space.”

Located at 1811 Mountain Avenue, Palomino Ranch is west of I-15, accessible via the Second Street exit. The property is approximately two miles north of the 91 Freeway/I-15 interchange and is easily accessible to additional regional transportation routes such as the 71 Freeway, 60 Freeway and I-10, providing quick access to nearly any location in the Los Angeles Basin.

The project is approximately one hour driving distance to Los Angeles International Airport and the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The location is also within one-day truck service to key logistics nodes in Northern California’s Bay Area, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Phoenix. Truckers can reach further Western U.S. linkages such as Portland, Ore., Boise, Idaho, Denver and Austin, Texas within three days. Palomino Ranch’s corporate neighbors include FedEx, UP and Amazon, among others.

“Palomino Ranch is setting a new high standard for Southern California industrial real estate development, and our team is grateful for the City of Norco’s partnership in developing a facility that will elevate the city’s economic position and overall efficiency while supporting employment growth in the area,” said Jon Pharris, co-founder and president at CapRock Partners. “CapRock is investing Norco, a critical point in the supply chain, and as more national and multinational corporations establish their businesses here, CapRock is pleased to offer a modern LEED certified warehouse complex that allows them to enhance their operations.”

Jeff Ruscigno, Brian Pharris, Paul Earnhart, Ryan Earnhart, Austin Hill and Jeff Smith of Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services have been retained to market the lease availabilities at the Palomino Ranch. Phase II-A, consisting of nearly 750,000 square feet is planned to begin in 2023 and Phase II-B will be approximately 533,000 square feet.

Palomino Ranch is CapRock ‘s third ground-up development project in Norco and is one of two projects the firm is currently developing within the city. CapRock is in under construction on Saddle Ranch South, a three-building, 374,000-square-foot industrial complex across 23.8 acres, located less than three blocks north of Palomino Ranch at 3000 – 3100 Horseless Carriage Drive.

In 2021, CapRock completed and sold Saddle Ranch Business Park, a 422,000-square-foot four-building Class A industrial warehouse complex in Norco. The asset was 100% leased to vitamin and nutrition company, Goli Nutrition, before the sale.

CapRock’s portfolio and proven track record include nearly 30 million square feet of industrial real estate assets in Central and Southern California, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Texas. The firm will be under construction on approximately 10 million square feet of industrial space in the next twelve months, inclusive of Palomino Ranch and Saddle Ranch South, and continues to actively pursue new investment opportunities for ground-up development and value-add repositioning in key logistics locations throughout the Southwest U.S. and Texas.

Tribe begins construction on San Manuel Landing, a 50+ acre Class A supply and logistics center in San Bernardino

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians was joined by civic leaders and community partners on Friday to break ground on San Manuel Landing – a state-of-the art commercial center, supply and logistics facility that will further the Tribe’s commitment to long-term investment in the economic development of the region. The ceremony was held at the former Norton Air Force Base, where the new facility will be built.

San Manuel Landing is one of the Tribe’s latest investments in urban renewal and community revitalization. In addition to creating construction jobs and permanent jobs, the development will add an estimated $6M in direct financial impact to the region through the payment of impact fees and permits and approximately $1M per year in property taxes. Designed to meet both CALGreen Certifications and Leadership in Energy Environmental Design (LEED) specifications, the 1.1M square foot complex is thoughtfully designed, incorporating a greenway park heralded by the iconic Norton Air Force Base water tower at its entrance with extensive landscaping throughout.  The center will use innovative “green” technology, including solar energy, accommodations for electric truck and vehicle charging, and an onsite truck staging area. An art mural on a prominent wall of the Landing will illustrate the inter-connected history shared by the Tribe and the former Norton site.

San Manuel Bird Singers opened the ceremony with ancestral songs native to the region. San Manuel Chairman Ken Ramirez spoke to guests about the history of the land where San Manuel Landing is being constructed and how it is part of a rich tradition of trade forged by the Serrano people. He also noted the long-standing connection of San Manuel tribal community members and the now closed Norton Air Force Base. The Chairman emphasized the desire of the Tribe to continue driving economic development for the Inland Empire with a focus on collaboration with governmental and community partners. 

“Today we are walking in the footprints of our ancestors. The interstate system is built along the same trails that our ancestors forged during their travels and we are continuing their journey by establishing San Manuel Landing,” said San Manuel Chairman Ken Ramirez.

Among the invited guests at the ceremony were San Bernardino Mayor John Valdivia and San Bernardino International Airport Authority Executive Director Mike Burrows. Mayor Valdivia thanked the Tribe for its contribution to charitable causes in San Bernardino and celebrated the city’s strong relationship with San Manuel. Executive Director Burrows detailed a vision for the revitalization of the former Norton Air Force Base.

Two Projects in Inventory-Constrained Inland Empire to Deliver Before Year-End

Transwestern Development Company (TDC^®) announces it has broken ground on two speculative industrial projects in Fontana, California. Totaling 483,500 square feet, the developments are adjacent to Interstates 10 and 15, providing excellent access to the entire Southern California region.

“We believe these projects align with our investment strategy to develop best-in-class logistics centers to serve in prime last-mile distribution,” said Steve Batcheller, Western Regional Partner in TDC’s National Logistics Group. “While the uncertainty in the real estate market caused by the pandemic has stalled some development progress in the industrial sector, we are excited to move forward with expanding our Southern California portfolio and confident that e-commerce will continue to drive demand for sophisticated logistics space in the country’s top industrial markets.”

Located near the intersection of Almeria Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, Almeria Logistics Center will provide 235,894 square feet of space slated for completion in third quarter 2021. QuadReal Property Group is the equity partner on the project.

The second project, I-10 Commerce Center, is located near the intersection of Boyle and Juniper avenues. With an expected delivery in fourth quarter 2021, the project will consist of two buildings at 172,219 square feet and 75,428 square feet. The equity partner is Transwestern Investment Group (TIG^®).

Both projects will feature 36-foot clear height, ESFR sprinkler systems, superior dock-high loading, and large, secured concrete truck courts. The facilities are designed to accommodate the needs of sophisticated e-commerce and logistics users that require larger building volume capacity to store, pack and ship products quickly and efficiently. Colliers International is providing leasing services for both projects.

The Inland Empire industrial market exceeds 638.8 million square feet and since 2010 has posted annual gross absorption between 26.2 and 45.4 million square feet, according to Transwestern research. Gross absorption in 2020 reached 39.5 million square feet, which was slightly less than the 41.1 million square feet in 2019. This was due to decreased construction deliveries in 2020 in response to disruptions caused by COVID-19.

“The robust demand seen in the Inland Empire is driven in part by significant growth of e-commerce sales and increased storage capacity for safety reserves,” said John Privett, Partner – Southern California in TDC’s National Logistics Group. “Both Almeria Logistics Center and I-10 Commerce Center are exciting projects to help alleviate that pressure with modern logistics space.”

At present, Transwestern has 40 industrial projects totaling 20 million square feet under construction or in pre-development planning stages nationwide, including more than 2.5 million square feet in Southern California.