Hubbell Realty Co. was well into its incarnation as a developer of residential properties when it decided in 2008 to reconnect with its industrial past and build a warehouse in Grimes.

Since that time, the Grimes Distribution Center has grown to four nearly identical warehouses, all with 24-foot ceilings and identical footprints at 110,000 square feet. When the first building was constructed, Greater Des Moines homebuilders were facing down the housing crisis. 

By breaking ground on an industrial property, Hubbell was showing again that a company founded in the 19th century could survive by being quick on its feet.

The Grimes Distribution Center set in motion additional warehouse development, with R&R Properties of West Des Moines, Opus Group of Minnesota and, more recently, Anderson Properties of Urbandale all launching big warehouse projects.

Warehouse demand for logistics companies and other industrial uses remains high with low vacancies and scant space for users who need less than 50,000 square feet, but nontraditional users such as churches, sports centers, cheerleading operations, even a quasi-office user are looking for wide-open spaces that offer relatively low rents and the ability to modify a few thousand square feet to suit the tenants’ needs.

Grimes Distribution Center boasts a trampoline park in one